LOUISIANA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABI
ENGL 1015 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
CAMPUS NAME AND ADDRESS:
(To be completed by the Louisiana Technical College Campus)
CIP CODE: 230401
CREDIT HOURS (Lecture/Lab/Total): 3/0/3
CONTACT HOURS (Lecture/Lab/Total): 45
CLASS LOCATION: (To be completed by the Louisiana Technical College Campus)
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: (To be completed by the Louisiana Technical College Campus)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The study of the basic rhetorical modes of English composition with emphasis on prewriting, writing, and revising
techniques utilizing correct English grammar, usage, and punctuation.
PREREQUISITES: English score of at least 20 on the Enhanced ACT, successful completion of Developmental
English, or permission of the campus CAO.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
I. To develop within the student critical reading strategies for tackling a broad spectrum of reading and writing
styles and assignments
II. To explain and illustrate patterns of development that students typically use in college writing assignments
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide, 8th edition, 2001, by Kirszner and Mandell,
Bedford/St. Martin’s, ISBN: 0-312-24736-2
The Holt Handbook, 6th edition, 2002, by Kirszner and Mandell, Harcourt College Publishers, ISBN:0-15506600-5
All students should also have a quality college level dictionary.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Approx. Time
Topics
2 weeks
Diagnostic essay, basic essay structure, and editing and proofreading symbols
2 weeks
Narration essay
2 weeks
Description essay
2 weeks
Exemplification essay
2 weeks
Process essay
2 weeks
Cause and effect essay
3 weeks
Argumentation essay
STUDENT OBJECTIVES:
I. To demonstrate proficiency in the patterns of essay development and the fundamentals of English grammar
through the use of a variety of written exercises, compositions, and tests
II. To demonstrate an understanding of the importance of accurate reading and the relationship between reading
and writing
GRADING CRITERIA:
6 essays as listed above
Journal writings and exercises
4 Vocabulary quizzes
GRADING SCALE:
90 – 100%
80 – 89%
70 – 79%
60 – 69%
Below 60%
80% of semester grade
10% of semester grade
10% of semester grade
A
B
C
D
F
ATTENDANCE:
Students must be officially enrolled in any course that they attend. It is expected that students will attend scheduled
classes regularly and on time. If an absence occurs, it is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed work.
Students, who stop attending a course and do not officially withdraw, will receive grades of 0 for all work missed and
will result in a punitive final grade.
This policy shall be superceded by any more stringent attendance policy required by a regulatory or licensing body
having jurisdiction over program requirements.
Attendance will be tracked and maintained for various reporting purposes.
CLASS WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
The deadline for dropping a class is published each semester in the official Schedule of Classes. A student who
officially withdraws from a class prior to the designated date will receive a grade of “W” in that class.
Any student who receives financial aid and withdraws from any or all classes is subject to repaying a portion of the
funding received.
IMPORTANT DATES:
January 13
Day and evening classes begin
January 17
Last day to register or to make add/drop changes
January 17
Last day for 75% refund
January 20
No Classes (MLK Day)
January 27
Last day for 50% refund
March 3-4
No Classes (Mardi Gras)
April 17-24
No Classes (Spring Break)
April 16 Last day to withdraw from class and receive a grade of “W”
May 9
End of semester
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
The faculty of Louisiana Technical College supports the concept of academic honesty. The teaching faculty
encourages academic honesty in all classes and we require academic honesty from all students. All students are
expected to maintain honesty and integrity when completing all academic assignments and examinations.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any student found guilty of such
dishonorable acts in academic work will receive a 0 for the work presented. The instructor may also refer the student
to the appropriate administrator for further disciplinary actions which could result in an “F’ in the course, dismissal
from the course, or dismissal from the college.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
The Louisiana Technical College complies with Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with
disabilities who seek accommodations must make their requests known by contacting the Disabilities Coordinator at
the beginning of each semester. If a disability is identified later in the semester, a non-retroactive accommodation
plan will be developed.
INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS:
All instructors for this course meet or exceed the criteria for academic and professional preparation as required in the
SACS/COC standards for accreditation.
COURSE TRANSFERABILITY:
A student should contact the institution to which he or she intends to transfer to inquire about the potential
transferability of the course and to determine whether the course will count in his or her major.
DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE
Approximate teaching time for each unit, except the last, is two weeks. The last unit will take about a week more to
present.
1.
Introduction to Writing
1.1
Diagnostic Essay
1.1.1
Assignment: Write “Getting Acquainted” essay
1.1.2
Lecture: Editing and proofreading symbols
1.1.3
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
1.2
Invention of Ideas
1.2.1
Lecture: Understanding the topic and setting limits
1.2.2
Lecture: Using prewriting techniques
1.2.2.1 Freewriting
1.2.2.2 Brainstorming
1.2.2.3 Journal writing
1.2.2.4 Clustering
1.2.2.5 Outlining
1.2.3
Lecture: Formulating the thesis
1.3
Basic Essay Structure
1.3.1
Lecture: Determining a pattern of organization
1.3.2
Lecture: Developing and writing the parts of the essay
1.3.2.1 Introduction
1.3.2.2 Body
1.3.2.3 Conclusion
1.4
Drafting and Revision Techniques
1.4.1
Lecture: Writing the first draft
1.4.2
Lecture: Editing and revising
1.5
Assignment: Read introduction to narration essay
2.
3.
Narration Essay
2.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
2.2
Lecture:
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.3
Assignment: Read assigned professionally written narrative essays
2.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
2.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
2.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
2.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (500-750 words)
2.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
2.9
Assignment: Read introduction to description essay
Writing a narrative essay
Planning a narrative essay
Structuring a narrative essay
Using transitions
Description Essay
3.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
4.
5.
3.2
Lecture: Writing a descriptive essay
3.2.1
Using description
3.2.1.1 Subjective description
3.2.1.2 Objective description
3.2.2
Planning a descriptive essay
3.2.3
Structuring a descriptive essay
3.3
Assignment: Read assigned professionally written descriptive essays
3.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
3.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
3.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
3.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (500-750 words)
3.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
3.9
Assignment: Read introduction to exemplification essay
Exemplification Essay
4.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
4.2
Lecture: Writing an exemplification essay
4.2.1
Using exemplification
4.2.1.1 Using examples to explain and clarify
4.2.1.2 Using examples to add interest
4.2.1.3 Using examples to persuade
4.2.2
Planning an exemplification essay
4.2.3
Structuring an exemplification essay
4.3
Assignment: Read professionally written exemplification essays
4.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
4.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
4.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
4.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (500-750 words)
4.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
4.9
Assignment: Read introduction to process essay
Process Essay
5.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
5.2
Lecture: Writing a process essay
5.2.1
Using the process format
5.2.1.1 Understanding instructions
5.2.1.2 Understanding process explanations
5.2.2
Planning a process essay
5.2.3
Structuring a process essay
5.3
Assignment: Read professionally written process essays
5.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
5.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
5.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
6.
7.
5.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (500-750 words)
5.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
5.9
Assignment: Read introduction to cause/effect essay
Cause/Effect Essay
6.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
6.2
Lecture: Writing a cause/effect essay
6.2.1
Using cause/effect
6.2.1.1 Understanding main and contributory causes
6.2.1.2 Understanding immediate and remote causes
6.2.1.3 Avoiding post hoc reasoning
6.2.2
Planning a cause/effect essay
6.2.3
Structuring a cause/effect essay
6.2.3.1 Finding causes
6.2.3.2 Describing or predicting effects
6.3
Assignment: Read professionally written cause/effect essays
6.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
6.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
6.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
6.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (500-750 words)
6.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments
6.9
Assignment: Read introduction to argumentation essay
Argumentation Essay
7.1
Evaluation: Comprehension test (covering chapter introduction)
7.2
Lecture: Writing an argumentative essay
7.2.1
Understanding argumentation and persuasion
7.2.2
Planning an argumentative essay
7.2.2.1 Choosing a topic
7.2.2.2 Taking a stand
7.2.2.3 Analyzing the audience
7.2.2.4 Gathering evidence using traditional and on-line sources
7.2.2.5 Documenting evidence using MLA format
7.2.2.6 Dealing with the opposition
7.2.2.7 Understanding the Rogerian argument
7.2.3
Using deductive and inductive arguments and Toulmin Logic
7.2.4
Recognizing fallacies
7.2.5
Structuring an argumentative essay
7.3
Assignment: Read professionally written argumentation essays/debates
7.4
Assignment: Complete vocabulary study
7.5
Lecture: Analyzing style and structure of professionally written essays
7.6
Assignment: Write rough draft of essay from teacher-provided topics
7.7
Assignment: Write final draft of essay (600-1000 words)
7.8
Evaluation: Mark essays; include helpful comments