English 151: Academic Writing
College English
College Now Program – Southwest Minnesota State University
College English is an opportunity for you to improve your writing skills while potentially earning college
credit through Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN. First semester you will be writing
essays, both personal and research-based, and second semester will be an introduction to literature.
You are responsible for making the most of the opportunities presented to you in this class. In other
words, how much you get out of the class depends on how much effort you are willing to put in. Keep
in mind that for every hour in a college class, you should be putting in at least two hours outside
of the class. Participate in and out of class, approach each opportunity with a positive, creative attitude,
and create meaning for yourself with the reading and assignments. Grades are earned, not given. Please
don’t be afraid to talk to me about questions or concerns you may have!
In order to be eligible to take this class for SMSU credit, you must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be in the
upper half of your class. There are no exceptions to this policy. If you do not meet the criteria, this
class will fulfill your senior English requirement at SHS.
By the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:










Make inferences (ex: about characters in a novel)
Interpret results (ex: feedback)
Analyze conflicting explanations of phenomena
Support arguments with evidence
Solve complex problems that have no obvious answer
Reach conclusions
Offer explanations
Conduct research
Engage in the give-and-take of ideas
Generally think deeply about what you are being taught
Grading Scale
93-100
90-92
A
A-
87-89
83-86
80-82
B+
B
B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
C+
C
C-
67-69
63-66
60-62
D+
D
D-
Below 60
F
You will receive a quarter grade from me that encompasses all of your class work. You will receive a
semester grade from the college that is based on your essay grades only. This grade will be
determined at the conclusion of the second quarter, in keeping with college standards. Keep in
mind that these grades may not be the same because I am looking at class work, writing prompts,
outlines, rough drafts, final drafts, etc., for your quarter grades, but SMSU is only considering the
final essays.
**PLEASE NOTE: If you do not earn a C- or above (average) on your essays, you will NOT
receive college credit. Even though you will not earn credit, your college transcript will still reflect
that you took a college course, and your grade will be a permanent part of your academic record.
In addition, you will not be allowed to take Introduction to Literature during second semester.
Classroom Rules
Hallway/Bathroom during class: I expect you to come to class prepared and ready to
begin the day’s activities. Make sure you have your book, notebook, assignment, a pen or pencil,
etc. with you when you arrive. I shouldn’t need to let you go to your locker to get something; please
come prepared.
If you need to go to the bathroom when you come into class (before the bell has rung), please
politely ask if you may go to the bathroom.
If the trips to the “bathroom” begin to get out of hand, this privilege will be suspended. I expect
you to take care of your business and promptly return. Don’t stop somewhere to meet your
boyfriend from another class or swing by your locker to send a quick text. Use the bathroom and
get back to class.
When the bell rings… I expect you to be in your desk and ready to go when the bell rings.
This doesn’t mean running through the door or chatting in the back of the room on the couch.
Please don’t make the couch a problem; it is meant to be a space to read during reading times and an
avenue to meet during group work. When the bell rings, have your materials out; if there is an
assignment due, take out your assignment, and be prepared to turn it in.
Daily points should not be needed. This is a college class!
Cell phones not related to class work will not be tolerated. I don’t make deals, so don’t beg
and whine that I just can’t take it this week. If you are caught, I expect you to hand it over in a
mature and respectful manner. You know the rules, so don’t act like it’s a shock that it will be taken
away.
Late Work – Front basket
Long-term assignments: Getting your assignments in on time demonstrates that you are
responsible and prepared; however, I also understand the demands that you have outside of English
class. You will earn an automatic 20% deduction for a late essay; this is applied if the essay is a day
late or a week late. Assignments will not be accepted more than two weeks after the original
deadline.
Daily work: The aforementioned policy does not apply to daily assignments. If I ask you to
read a story and complete three short-answer questions for discussion the following day, for
example, those questions should be completed for the next day. If you fail to complete a daily
assignment, you may earn up to half credit for that assignment if you decide to turn it in at a later
date. Your potential to earn credit is solely up to my discretion. I don’t give meaningless
assignments, so you need to complete all work. It shows me what you are learning and how you are
understanding what we are doing in class. If you don’t do your assignments, I don’t know where
you are at.
**If there is an assignment due and you are going to be absent that day due to a school activity, turn
in your assignment PRIOR to the due date. Otherwise, it can be considered late.
*For all late work, a “Late Work Explanation Form” must be completed and stapled to the
assignment, explaining why you should be granted credit. These can be picked up on the counter
under the cupboards. If this is not done, I do not feel obligated to look at your work.
Absences
If you are absent from school, you will be expected to talk to me about what you missed. Always
check the folder in the back of the room; please be responsible and see me when you have been
absent. Also, utilize the school web-site! I will not extend due dates if you have not talked to me
about what you missed. The make-up policy will be that of Springfield High School: 1 day absent –
1 day make-up; 2 days absent – 2 days make-up; 3 days absent – determined by teacher and student,
etc. This applies to excused absences only. If you are absent and the school policy number of days
is reached, the assignment will become late.
Make up missed work, quizzes, and tests as promptly as possible. If you have missed a quiz or test,
schedule a time to make it up and take it. Don’t wait until the score comes up as missing on TIES.
Take care of these things yourself; be responsible. I expect that the school policy will be followed.
Assessments
Assessments will be done through several methods, including but not limited to papers, projects,
tests, and quizzes. Because I understand that some of you may suffer from “test anxiety,” your
grades will not be based completely on tests. Consciously put effort into your daily assignments and
in-class activities because they contribute to your overall grade!
Reading
Because this is English class, I expect you to —drum roll, please—read! You will be given ample
opportunities to read, and I anticipate that you will take advantage of those opportunities. During
this time, you shouldn’t be catching up on other homework or studying for other classes; you
should be reading for this class. Always have something to read with you in case you finish an
assignment early. Utilize your ability to read: 20% of the world’s population does not have that
privilege!
Academic Honesty
I will absolutely not tolerate cheating in any form. Discussing
assignments with your friends and family is perfectly acceptable, but everything you turn in should
be in your own words. This includes “working together.” Copying off someone else or from a
professional work (including the Internet) is not acceptable, and you will receive a zero for the
assignment. Plagiarism is a serious offense in this classroom and in the real world, so please don’t
turn in someone else’s work and claim that it is yours. I want to know what you know, not what a
friend can tell you or what someone on the Internet thinks. Present to me your original ideas!
If you do copy someone else’s work or allow someone else to copy your work, you will both
earn zeroes for the assignment. No excuses accepted. This includes “working together.”
Respect
We will respect one another in this classroom. That means not talking while another person is speaking,
whether that is me or a classmate; not saying anything derogatory or offensive to someone; respecting the
classroom (throwing away paper and garbage, not writing on desks, etc.)
My classroom is meant to be a safe place for learning, not intimidating others or impolitely challenging others’
opinions. You need to be an active owner of your knowledge and education, and you will benefit the most by
being respectful of yourself and others. While you are here, you need to have a positive, creative attitude with
a willingness to take risks and try new things. You need to be a critical thinker about the reading we are doing
and how it relates to you personally today, as well as to the world around you. You are expected to make
connections so that the class is meaningful to you. Some of the things we read and learn about are hundreds
of years old, but their themes and messages still hold true today. Invest in what is happening in class, and you
may be surprised by what you learn!
Don’t be afraid to talk to me about questions or concerns you may have!
Mrs. Brown
mandy.brown@springfield.mntm.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Springfield Public School
English Power Standards
Reading (Fiction and Nonfiction)
1) Identify central ideas and supporting details using context clues and inferences.
2) Identify and analyze author’s purpose (inform, entertain, persuade) and point of view (bias).
3) Identify and analyze author’s choices and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text
(setting, character development, plot, word choice, tone, use of fact/opinion, audience, etc.).
4) Determine the meanings of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative
and connotative meanings.
5) Summarize text.
Speaking
6) Orally communicate using effective speaking skills (purpose, audience, delivery).
Writing
7) Create writing that is clearly organized with a specific purpose.
8) Access sources for research, analyze for credibility, and appropriately cite sources.
Listening
9) Listen for a variety of purposes (diverse ideas, instructions, interpersonal settings).
Anchor Standard: Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of grammar, usage, and
mechanics throughout all coursework.