English B: Introduction to College Writing
English B—Fall Semester 2014
Section 6152
Section 6167
Monday H213
9:15-11:20
Monday H101
11:30-1:35
Wednesday H312 9:15-11:20
Wednesday H312 11:30-1:35
Please note that I am deeply committed to your success.
Professor Peppard
Office: H 321-J
Office Hours: M/W 8:15-9:15 a.m.; T/Th 9:15-10:15 a.m. & by appointment
Phone/Voice Mail: (310) 660-3593 Ext. 6772
Email: bpeppard@elcamino.edu Be sure to put your name & “English B” in subject heading
Writing Center: Located in the Humanities Building, Room 122, the writing center offers students free pre-writing
conferences, full draft writing conferences, grammar conferences, reading conferences, and more. You will need
either an assignment sheet, a writing center form completed by me, or a specific assignment from a textbook. You will
also need a student ID for services. For more information contact the center at (310) 660-3593 Ext. 3873.
Required Materials
 A notebook for journal writing activities. This will be different than your notebook for taking notes in class.
 Constructing Paragraphs by El Camino faculty. This is available in the bookstore. An electronic version of
the text exists at http://issuu.com/brucepeppard/docs/english_b_handbook_edition_3_2013 However, you
must purchase a hard copy of the text at the bookstore.
 Two different colored highlighters
 A USB flash drive or Cloud Storage (see below)
Cloud Storage: I highly recommend you get a Dropbox account. From your home computer go to
http://db.tt/of7FO8aE and sign up for a Dropbox account.
Get in the habit of saving your documents to your
Dropbox folder so you can access them in the classroom or from any other computer. Be sure to use a legitimate email
address and a password you will remember.
Course Description: The following description is taken from the course outline provided by El Camino College:
“This course introduces students to the processes of creating, developing, and revising paragraphs and short essays
based on personal experiences, observations, and reactions to short reading selections. Students learn basic rules of
grammar, mechanics, and usage. Students practice a variety of sentence types and paragraph structures. Students
revise their writing with the assistance of weekly one-on-one tutorials” (157).
Course Objectives:
1. Read and apply critical thinking skills to pre-collegiate texts for the purposes of writing and discussion.
2. Apply appropriate strategies from the writing process to create, compose, revise, and edit drafts.
3. Demonstrate ability to participate in draft-review activities, such as peer review and one-on-one tutorials.
4. Plan, write, and revise paragraphs based on personal experience and observations, including a topic sentence
and supporting details, and avoiding grammatical and mechanical errors that interfere with meaning.
5. Write and revise summaries of, and personal responses to, short magazine or newspaper articles.
6. Compose a variety of sentence types and edit them for correct grammar, appropriate word choice, and accurate
spelling.
Student Learning Outcome:
1. Apply appropriate strategies in the writing process including prewriting, composing, revising, and editing
techniques.
2. Write paragraphs based on personal experience and observations that have undergone
multiple revisions and respond to a text discussed in class.
3. Compose logically organized and focused paragraphs that include a clear topic sentence and
provide specific supporting details.
4. Use basic rules of grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation so that the ideas are
clear, and follow MLA guidelines to format a document (heading, indentation, spacing, font,
centered title).
Students with Disabilities: It is the policy of the El Camino Community College District to encourage full inclusion
of people with disabilities in all programs and services. Students with disabilities who believe they may need
accommodations in this class should contact the campus Special Resource Center (310) 660-3593 X3295, as soon as
possible. This will ensure that students are able to fully participate.
Course Requirements
Attendance: Come to class regularly and on time. I need you in the classroom participating. If your absences
exceed 10% of the scheduled class meetings, you will be dropped from the class. Also keep in mind that
excessive absences adversely affect your grade in that you will be graded on your participation in class: if
you’re not there, you can’t participate. Please note, you are not being graded on your absences, but on your
lack of participation. Two tardies, two early departures, or combinations of the two equal an absence.
Keep track of your own attendance (TAPE). If you are absent three days in a row, I will assume you have dropped the
class.
Conferences: This class is designed for one on one conferences. Once a week you will meet with a tutor or me to go
over your writing strengths and weaknesses. Listen carefully to our advice and work to improve your weaknesses and
build upon your strengths in your next writing assignment.
Class Participation: The best way to learn something is to participate in an activity. I expect you to participate
appropriately and not disturb those around you.
 Cell Phones: Turn them off and put them away. It is rude to answer phones or text message during class time
(this includes stepping outside to answer your phone). This class is worth tuning in to, so please do so.
Computer Lab: This semester we are fortunate to meet once each Tuesday in the computer lab. No food or drink is
allowed in the lab. In addition, you should never be looking at inappropriate web sites or playing games on the
computers. Save your work often and be sure to bring a flash drive to each class. Only work on class related activities
in the lab. If you finish the daily work, please get started on your homework. If you still have time, I recommend you
study areas of weakness either in your text or at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/.
Homework: Doing the homework will help you write better. Choose to do it on time, as late homework will not be
accepted. If you write in your textbook, be sure you either photocopy the assigned pages or are willing to tear the
pages out so I can collect them. Expect two hours of homework for every hour we spend in class.
Academic Honesty & Plagiarism: Be sure the work you hand in is yours. I want to improve upon your writing, not
someone else’s. “El Camino College places a high value on the integrity of its student scholars. When an instructor
determines that there is evidence of dishonesty in any academic work (including, but not limited to cheating,
plagiarism, or theft of exam materials), disciplinary action appropriate to the misconduct as defined in BP 5500 may be
taken. A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and suspension from class are
among the disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty (AP 5520). Students with any questions about the Academic
Honesty or discipline policies are encouraged to speak with their instructor in advance.”
Late Assignments: Assignments will be lowered one grade for each class period they are late.
Grading:
You will receive grades in the following categories:
Formal paragraphs
Homework
In-class writings, journals
Quizzes
Class participation
75%
05%
10%
05%
05%
This is a pass/no pass course. You need a 75% semester average or higher to pass the class.
Assignments and Class Schedule:
The following schedule is tentative and likely to change. Journals, quizzes, and other material will be added as the
semester progresses.
Week 1
Mon 8/25/2014
Tardy
Absent
Present
Early departure
Classroom Activities:
 What’s in a name? (First day ppt. 1-6)
 Introduction of course, self, syllabus, and text. Room change.
 What’s in a journal? Personal thoughts, reflections
 Habits of successful students (ppt. 7-21)
 Taking smart notes (Cornell)
 Diagnostic: Sample writing (collect name exercise)
Homework: Purchase book or visit the online one. Read pages 13-21. Complete the exercise on pages 20-21 and 1112.
Wed 8/27/2014
Tardy
Absent
Present
Early departure
Due: Exercise pp. 13-14
Classroom Activities:
 Homework review
 Introduction to writing as a process
 8 parts of speech to know
 Parts of speech: Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives
 Parts of speech: Verbs and adverbs
 Identifying your goals (Ex. 20-21)
Homework: Read “Studying Effectively” chapter pages 24-29. Complete exercise on page 27-28. Memorize
being verbs.
 Journal writing activity: “Letter to Younger Self”
Week 2
Mon 9/1/2014
No class due to Labor Day.
Homework:
 Journal writing activity: “Eulogy for Myself”
 Fill out the form (outline) on page 47
Wed 9/3/2014 Tardy
Absent
Present
Early departure
Classroom Activities:
 Due: Completed page 47
 Homework review
 Quiz on being verbs
 Parts of speech: Prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections
 How the parts of speech function in a sentence
o Finding subjects, and verbs in sentences
o Adding adjectives and adverbs
 Introduction to body paragraph format (pp. 42-44 Ex. 1&2)
 Writing the topic sentence
 Paragraph Development—Narration (pp. 45-47)
 Expectations for tutoring days
 Write a letter to yourself about how college will assist you in achieving your greatest goals and dreams
Homework:
 Type a narration paragraph following the four steps on pages 47-48.
 Journal Writing Assignment: “Greatest Past Success & Greatest Future Success”
Week 3
Mon 9/8/2014 Tutor Day
Tardy
Absent
Present
Early departure
Due: First Draft of narration paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Finding Subjects and Verbs in Simple Sentences (pp. 69-71 & 88-89)
 20-minute QUIZ: Finding Subjects and Verbs
 Journal Writing Activity: “Bedroom Description”
 Revise and rewrite your narration paragraph after meeting with tutor or me
Homework:
 Revise and rewrite your narration paragraph
Wed 9/10/2014
Tardy
Absent
Present
Due: Final draft of narration paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Homework Review
 Fragments and run-ons
 Introduction to description paragraph
 Photograph Civil Rights Movement
 Reservoir Dogs
 Descriptive paragraph outline (48-50)
Homework:
 Fragments and run-ons, your nemesis and mine (112-115)
 Fragment and run-on handout
 Type a description paragraph based on your outline
Early departure
Week 4
Mon 9/15/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
E
Due: First draft description paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 20-minute QUIZ: Fragments and Run-ons
 Problems with Subject Verb Agreement (128-129)
 Rewrite, revise, and retype your descriptive paragraph. Submit by end of class.
 Journal Writing Activity: “Superhero Ability”
Homework:
 Complete all changes to the descriptive paragraph
Wed 9/17/2014
T
A
P
Due: Final draft of descriptive paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Semester’s assignments checklist
 Subject and verb agreement
 20-minute QUIZ: Subject and Verb Agreement
 Transitions
E
 Introduction to process paragraph
 Complete pp. 62-64
Homework: Type process paragraph based on your outline (No recipes, please)
Week 5
Mon 9/22/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
E
Due: Typed process paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Edit, revise, and rewrite process paragraph
 Overhead and peer review of process paragraphs
 20-Minute open-book QUIZ Fragments, Run-ons, Comma-splices
 20-minute QUIZ: Topic Sentences and Controlling Ideas
Homework:
 Journal Writing Activity: “Community Service”
 Revise and type process paragraph.
Wed 9/24/2014
T
A
P
E
Due: Final draft of Process Paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Sentence combining
 Journal Writing Activity: “If I Could Change One Thing About”
 Introduction to persuasion paragraph
 A few arguments for analysis (let’s debate)
 Read and complete pages 56-58
Homework:
 Type persuasion paragraph based on your outline
Week 6
Mon 9/29/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
E
Due: Typed draft of persuasion paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Review of persuasion paragraph
 Clauses, phrases, and combining clauses and phrases (108-111)
 Plagiarism and quotation marks (not in book)
Homework:
 Edit, proofread, revise, and type persuasive paragraph
 Read pages 108 and 147
 Journal Writing Activity: “Million Dollars to Unknowns”
Wed 10/1/2014
T
A
P
E
Due: Typed persuasion paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Intro to MLA
 Smooth transitions
 Integrate two outside sources into your persuasive paragraph using MLA
Homework:
 Rewrite, revise, and retype persuasion paragraph with outside source
Week 7
Mon 10/6/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
Due: Typed and revised persuasion paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Manipulative Quiz Bonus
 Using verb tenses properly: Read and complete pages 72-81
E
 Add another source to your persuasion paragraph
 Journal Writing Activity: “Local Problem to Resolve”
Homework: Revise and rewrite persuasion paragraph
Wed 10/8/2014
T
A
P
Due: Final draft of persuasion paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Homework Review
 Emphasis on transition words and transition exercises
 Transition exercise handout
Homework: TBA
E
Week 8 (Break Class in Half)
Mon 10/13/2014
No Tutor Today
T
A
P
E
Classroom Activities:
 Intro to comparison/contrast
 Conferences. Review
Homework:
 Read and complete pages 133-135
 Read and complete pages 51-55 based on two readings
 Type comparison/contrast paragraph
Wed 10/15/2014
T
A
P
Classroom Activities:
 Intro to comparison/contrast
 Conferences. Review
Homework:
 Read and complete pages 133-135
 Read and complete pages 51-55 based on two readings
 Type comparison/contrast paragraph
Week 9
Mon 10/20/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
Classroom Activities:
Due: Typed draft of comparison/contrast paragraph
 Review H.W. pages 133-135
 Using correct capitalization 87-88 and 144-145
 20-minute QUIZ: Capitalization
Homework:
 Revise and rewrite comparison/contrast paragraph
Wed 10/22/2014
T
A
Due: Typed comparison/contrast paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Overhead review of comparison/contrast paragraphs
 Comma work. Comma exercise handout
Homework:
 Revise and type comparison/contrast paragraph
Mon 10/27/2014 Tutor Day
T
Classroom Activities:
Due: Typed comparison/contrast paragraph
 Quiz on Commas
E
E
P
E
Week 10
A
P
E
 Journal Assignment: Are you a successful or struggling student? What behaviors and thoughts make you a
successful or struggling student? How could you become a better student? Offer ample evidence to support
your claims. Adhere to paragraph structure.
 Other punctuation. Read and understand 140-143
 If time permits, work on revising your comparison/contrast paragraphs.
Homework:
 Revise and rewrite comparison/contrast paragraph
 Journal Entry: “Two Kinds of People”
 Readings to be announce
Wed 10/29/2014
T
A
P
E
Due: Final draft comparison/contrast paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Readings in class
 Introduction to article/literature response paragraph
 Introduction to the apostrophe (136-139) Exercise 139
Homework:
 Type article/literature response paragraph
 Commonly confused words (read and complete pages 130-131)
Week 11
Mon 11/3/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
Due: First draft article/literature response paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Developing paragraphs further: More attention to detail.
 Writing about articles and literature
 Begin article/literature paragraph
Homework:
 Finish and type paragraph begun in class
Wed 11/5/2014
T
A
Due: Typed article/literature paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Peer review article/literature paragraph
 Introduction to the summary
Homework:
 Journal writing activity: “This I believe”
P
E
E
Week 12
Mon 11/10/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
E
Due: Final draft article/literature paragraph
 Overhead review of peer review
 Summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting (MLA) (Not in book)
 Revise and rewrite your article/literature paragraph in class and submit in class
Wed 11/12/2014
T
A
P
E
Classroom Activities:
 In-class readings “Cheating Often an Act of Desperation”
 Introduction to the narrative response. Handling two paragraphs
 Avoiding plagiarism
 Begin your summary and narrative response
Homework:
Type the summary paragraph
Week 13
Mon 11/17/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
Due: “Cheating Often an Act of Desperation” response paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Work on revising summary paragraph
 Begin narrative response to summary paragraph
 Faulty parallelism (124-125)
Homework: Write and type first draft of narrative response
Wed 11/19/2014
T
A
P
Classroom Activities:
 20 minute QUIZ on faulty parallelism
 More on sentence combining
 Adding personal, specific details
Homework: Finish summary and narrative response assignment
E
E
Week 14
Mon 11/24/2014 Tutor Day
T
A
P
Due: Final draft of summary and narrative response paragraph
Classroom Activities:
 Misplaced and dangling modifiers (126-127)
 Journal writing activity: “Musician/Athlete”
E
Wed 11/26/2014
 TBA
 Combing summary with narrative
 Introduction to the essay
Homework: Type combined summary with narrative.
Week 15
Mon 12/1/2014 Tutor Day?
T
A
P
E
 Due: Combined summary with narrative.
 Misplaced and dangling modifiers
 Introduction to the essay
 20 minute QUIZ on modifiers
 More sentence variety (109 and beyond)
Homework: Write and type an introductory paragraph and an outline for the remainder of the persuasive essay
Wed 12/3/2014
T
A
P
Due: Essay introductory paragraph and outline
Classroom Activities:
 20 Minute QUIZ on Sentence Variety
 Career plans/life plans
 TBA
 Journal Writing Activity: “Where Do We Go Now”
Mon 12/8/2014:
Classroom Activities:
 Review and grades
 Conferences
T
A
P
Wed 12/10/2014: No Tutor Day
 Review and grades
 Conferences
T
A
P
Week 16
E
E
E