SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY
Fall 2023
ENG 118: Composition and Grammar for Speakers of Other Languages
3 CREDITS
Instructor: Professor Iman Daadoush
Phone/WhatsApp ( preffered way of contact )
(813) 944-9926
E-Mail: iman.daadoush@saintleo.edu
Class Location : Kirk Hall 329 Class Time: Mon/Wed/Fri 10:30 - 11:20
Office Hours: Via Zoom by appointment
Saint Leo University’s Commitment to Academic Excellence Statement (abbreviated)
Academic excellence is an achievement of balance and growth in mind, body, and spirit that
develops a more effective and creative culture for students, faculty, and staff. It promotes integrity,
honesty, personal responsibility, fairness, and collaboration at all levels of the university. At the
level of students, excellence means achieving mastery of the specific intellectual content, critical
thinking, and practical skills that develop reflective, globally conscious, and informed citizens ready
to meet the challenges of a complex world.
Course Description
The course is designed to help non-native speakers improve their reasoning and writing skills,
especially for academic purposes. Increased emphasis is placed on English idiomatic usage,
academic text structure, and appropriate citation and referencing.
The final exam of this course will include the questions aligned with the University Writing
Placement Test; based on the outcomes of this part and the in-class exam writing, the next
composition class will be determined for each student who successfully completes the course. The
following are the requirements to qualify for ENG 121: Academic Writing I: multiple choice part 90% or higher AND in-class essay – 80% or higher. For all students whose results are below 90%
and who successfully completed ENG 118, the next composition course will be ENG 119:
Composition for Advanced Speakers of Other Languages.
Prerequisites
Successful completion of ENG 114 (Bridge students enrolled in regular track) or University
admission through Bridge program, fast track.
Entry Proficiency Level - intermediate: Level 4: Expanding (TESOL Pre-K-12 English Language
Proficiency Standards – Framework)
Goal Exit Level – high intermediate: Level 5: Bridging (TESOL Pre-K-12 English Language
Proficiency Standards – Framework)
Required Text
Loucks, Christina M. and McCready Colleen L. “College, Writers: Applied Grammar and
Composing Strategies for Success” (2022).
Adapted from:
Hall, Barbara and Wallace, Elizabeth, "College ESL Writers: Applied Grammar and Composing
Strategies for Success" (2018). English Open Textbooks. 14
A copy of the book is available in the D2L course shell in a PDF format.
Additional practice materials are posted in the course D2L shell.
Course Goals
(1) Develop further students’ understanding of academic writing conventions as related to grammar
and text structure.
(2) Introduce students to the concepts of various academic essay types and provide opportunities for
guided writing.
Teaching Objectives
STUDENTS WILL:
I. Learn and practice how to write grammatically correct sentences (simple, compound, and
complex), avoiding common sentence problems: subject-verb agreement, avoiding sentence
fragments, dangling and misplaced modifiers, illogical shifts in tense, person, and voice; applying
effectively parallel structures, use of modifiers.
II. Continue developing their writing skills by writing coherent paragraphs, using new vocabulary,
and applying effective editing strategies.
III. Examine and apply essay writing strategies.
IV. Learn specifics of writing essays of different types, including process, cause and effect,
comparison and contrast, classification, and argument.
V. Practice Modern Language Association (MLA) format including creating informal outlines for
the paragraphs.
VI. Learn how to cite information sources in MLA format properly.
VII. Continue developing paraphrasing strategies.
VIII. Develop further summarizing skills by working with longer academic texts (5-6 pages).
IX. Practice peer reviewing skills while providing constructive feedback to peers (peer-review rubric
provided)
Student Learning Outcomes
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
1. Write grammatically correct sentences (simple, compound, and complex), avoiding common
sentence problems: subject-verb agreement, avoiding sentence fragments, dangling and misplaced
modifiers, illogical shifts in tense, person, and voice; applying effective parallel structures, use of
modifiers.
2. Appropriately punctuate compound and complex sentences.
3. Analyze sample essays to identify specifics related to grammar, coherence, and organization.
5. Write well-structured 3- and 5-paragraph essays while incorporating new vocabulary and
appropriate English grammar in their writing.
6. Write comprehensive essays of different types adhering to the conventions of specific academic
essay types (process, compare/contrast, cause/effect, classification, and argumentative).
7. Follow the MLA guidelines for formatting and organizing academic texts.
8. Effectively use information resources to support their writing.
9. Cite the information resources they used in their writing using MLA guidelines for in-text
citations as well as the works cited list.
10. Effectively use paraphrasing strategies in their writing.
11. Analyze, synthesize, and summarize academic texts of 5-6 pages identifying main idea,
controlling idea, and main points of the texts.
12. Provide constructive feedback to their peers’ written work using review guidelines and
checklists.
Key Assignments SLOs Aligned with Program Goals and University Core Values
Program Goal
Course
Student Learning Outcome
Assignment &
Rubric Criterion
1. Maximize students’
opportunities for academic
success by assuring the
effective development of
academic language skills
(Excellence Core Value)
ENG 118
1. 6. Build an effective argument
in a 3-5 paragraph researched
essay using specific
organizational patterns.
Essay/Organization
ENG 118
1. 7. Effectively write on topics
discussed in class and researched
individually.
Essay/Content
ENG 118
1. 8. Demonstrate functional
knowledge and application of the
English grammatical conventions
adequate for the target level of
proficiency.
Essay/Grammar and
Punctuation
3. Support smooth
ENG 118
transition and adaptation to
their new academic
culture. (Community Core
Value)
ENG 118
3. 1. Demonstrate a fairly
Essay/Formatting
consistent application of various
MLA guidelines related to
formatting an academic text
including formatting of
references and citations.
3. 3. Demonstrate effective use of Essay/Referencing
appropriate information resources
in their writing including
paraphrasing and use of
quotations to support an
argument.
Assignment Descriptions
PRACTICE ASSIGNMENTS - 20%





Practice Exercises and Activities – Students will complete multiple grammar exercises,
editing activities, and essay analysis practices at home and in class (Textbook and other
resources).
Practice Quizzes – In order to prepare for unit quizzes, as well as a midterm, and final
exams, students will complete practice quizzes when/if needed.
In-Class Practice Writing - In class five short (5-7 sentences) paragraphs of the five types
discussed and practised in class (assessment rubric provided) will be completed.
Peer Review and Editing – Students will write at least 1 draft for each essay; they will
engage in self-editing and peer review activities to refine their drafts before submitting the
third draft to the instructor.
Online DIscussion
ASSESSMENTS – 40% of the final grade
 Graded Grammar Quizzes – During the semester, the students will complete 7 graded
grammar quizzes assessing the practical application of grammar material (with at least 70%
accuracy). (10%)
 Midterm Exam - Cumulative midterm exam, which includes a multiple-choice
grammar-focused section. (15%)
 Final Exam - Cumulative final exam, which includes a multiple-choice grammar-focused
section and writing section. (15%)
WRITING PROJECTS - 40% of the final grade

Essay Writing - 5 essays of the types addressed during the course; specific directions
provided in class (one at the end of the 2-week period). (30%)
Final writing project (Key Assignment) – 10%

At the end of the semester, the students will complete a final writing project – a
five-paragraph essay on an assigned topic.
Grade Weights:
Assessment- Homework/ Classwork Practice Assignments
Assessment – Quizzes
10%
10%
Online Discussions
10%
Assessment – Midterm Exam
Assessment – Final Exam
Writing Projects - Essays
15%
15%
30%
Writing Projects – Key Assignment
10%
100%
Grading Scale
A (94-100) = Exceptional
A- (90-93) = Superior
B + (87-89) = Excellent
B (84-86) = Very Good
B- (80-83) = Good
C+ (77-79) = Above Average
C (74-76) = Average
C- (70-73) = Below Average (a grade below C- is not a passing grade for this course)
D+ (67-69) = Marginal
D (60-66) = Poor
F (0-65) = Failure
The student is expected to:

Keep up with the work and maintain the progress with the rest of the class.

Attend every class session! Class participation is extremely important to the practice of
speaking and listening skills, and, therefore, attendance is calculated as part of your grade for
the course.

Provide documentation for official, excused absences to the academic advisor. Excessive
absences will result in a reduced grade.

Late assignments will have 10% of the total grade deducted for each day beyond the due
date. The instructor may not consider a late assignment for grading if the assignment is
submitted more than six days after the due date.

Find out about missed work from a classmate BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS or from the
instructor during office hours BEFORE THE NEXT CLASS. If you do miss a class for an
official, excused absence, it is your personal responsibility to make up the work BEFORE
THE NEXT CLASS.

Do your own work! Any student suspected of academic dishonesty will be referred to the
Academic Standards Committee.
Academic Honesty Policy:
Saint Leo University holds all students to the highest standards of honesty and personal integrity in
every phase of their academic life. All students have a responsibility to uphold the Academic
Honor Code by refraining from any form of academic misconduct, presenting only work that is
genuinely their own, and reporting any observed instance of academic dishonesty to a faculty
member. The use of paraphrasing applications is not acceptable.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Coursework:
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in many professions and industries, the purpose of a
liberal arts education is to provide students with learning experiences that cultivate critical thinking,
intellectual curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Artificial Intelligence cannot substitute for
these. Academic Integrity is the foundation of all academic work. As your instructor, I want to
remind you of the importance of academic integrity and proper citation in your work.
In this course, all submitted work must be your own original work. Any submission of AI-generated,
AI-supported, or AI-enhanced work, including outlining, drafting, writing, creating, responding to
discussion posts, preparing presentations, or taking quizzes, tests, or exams, will be considered an
academic integrity violation and will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
Saint Leo University Core Values:
Community: Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere
we serve. We foster a spirit of belonging, unity and interdependence based on mutual trust and
respect to create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to
change, and to serve.
Respect: Animated in the spirit of Jesus Christ, we value all individuals’ unique talents, respect
their dignity and strive to foster their commitment to excellence in our work. Our community’s
strength depends on the unity and diversity of our people, on the free exchange of ideas, and on
learning, living, and working harmoniously.
This course aims to foster respect for all members of the university community through
communicative grammar and writing activities as well as exploration and discussion of cultural
aspects of academic life in the U.S.A. It will focus on ways to speak and write effectively in
order to promote excellence for a diverse population of international students of an intermediate
level of proficiency.
Student Misconduct/Classroom Disruption:
Saint Leo University students are expected to conduct themselves at all times in accord with
good taste and observe the regulations of the University and the laws of the city, state, and
national government. All University community members—faculty, staff, employees,
students—have the right and obligation to report violations of civil or University regulations to
the appropriate University Vice President or Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Should a University community member encounter a disruptive student, the student shall be
asked politely, but firmly, to leave the classroom (or wherever the locus of disruption). A
University community member has the authority to do this if the student is acting in a disruptive
manner. If the student refuses, the appropriate office shall be notified.
Tentative Course Schedule
(Assignment descriptions and deadlines will be posted on the course D2L shell)
Module
&
Week
Dates
Days
8/28/2023 Monday
M1
W1
Topic
Welcome. Getting to know each other
8/30/2023 Wednesday Course Intro & Syllabus
9/1/2023 Friday
Pre-diagnostic in-class writing
9/4/2023 Monday
Labor Day - no classes
M1
9/6/2023 Wednesday Course Syllabus discussion and activities; MLA formatting
W2
9/8/2023 Friday
MLA referencing
9/11/2023 Monday
Sentence Structure
M2
9/13/2023 Wednesday Sentence Structure
W3
9/15/2023 Friday
Sentence Structure
9/18/2023 Monday
Writing Basics: Rhetoric, Narrative, & Outline - intro
M2
9/20/2023 Wednesday Writing Basics: Rhetoric, Narrative, & Outline - practice
W4
9/22/2023 Friday
Writing Basics: Rhetoric Narrative, & Outline - practice
9/25/2023 Monday
Adjectives vs Adverbs
M3
9/27/2023 Wednesday Adjectives vs Adverbs
W5
9/29/2023 Friday
Adjectives vs Adverbs
10/2/2023 Monday
Descriptive narrative - intro
M3
10/4/2023 Wednesday Descriptive narrative - practice
W6
10/6/2023 Friday
Descriptive narrative - practice
10/9/2023 Monday
Sentence Variety & Punctuation | SV agreement
M4
10/11/2023 Wednesday Sentence Variety & Punctuation | SV agreement
W7
10/13/2023 Friday
Sentence Variety & Punctuation | SV agreement
10/16/2023 Monday
Midterm Exam
M4
10/18/2023 Wednesday In-class writing practice
W8
10/20/2023 Friday
In-class writing practice
10/23/2023 Monday
Parallelism
M5
10/25/2023 Wednesday Parallelism
W9
10/27/2023 Friday
Parallelism
M5
10/30/2023 Monday
Comparison & Contrast Essay - intro
W10
M6
W11
11/1/2023 Wednesday Comparison & Contrast Essay - practice
11/3/2023 Friday
Comparison & Contrast Essay - practice
11/6/2023 Monday
Verb Tenses
11/8/2023 Wednesday Verb Tenses
11/10/2023 Friday
Veterans Day - no classes
11/13/2023 Monday
Process Essay - intro
M6
11/15/2023 Wednesday Process Essay - practice
W12
11/17/2023 Friday
Process Essay - practice
11/20/2023 Monday
Commonly Confused Words
M7
11/22/2023 Wednesday Thanksgiving break
W13
11/24/2023 Friday
Thanksgiving break
11/27/2023 Monday
Argument Essay – intro
M7
W14
11/29/2023 Wednesday Argument Essay – intro
12/1/2023 Friday
Argument Essay – intro
12/4/2023 Monday
Final exam review
M8
12/6/2023 Wednesday Final exam review
W15
12/8/2023 Friday
M8
12/11/2023 Monday
Review
Post-diagnostic writing
Final Exam: TBD based on the final exam schedule