Great Basin College ~ Nevada
Course Syllabus
ENG 095 ~ Basic Writing II ~ Early Fall Semester, 2008
Section E06 (3-6 Credits)
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Marie Laxalt
Phone: (775) 753-2340
Office Location: Elko Campus, McMullen: Room #120 & #119
(Moving office during the middle of this class.)
Office Hours: Since this is a condensed summer course, one-on-one appointments will
be arranged on an individual basis.
Email Address: kevinl@gwmail.gbcnv.edu
Location of Class & Time: McMullen Hall, Room #101 – Elko Campus
Mondays through Fridays: 9:30 a.m. – 12: 45 p.m.
Length of Class: Monday, August 4th through Friday, August 22nd, 2008.
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Catalog Description: This course is designed to develop writing skills. It focuses on the review
of the grammatical relationships, sentence patterns, punctuation, and usage with concentration on
the writing of expository paragraphs and essays. Students will have additional Academic Success
Center requirements. Upon successful completion of the course, the student may move directly
into ENG 101. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits.
Departmental Description: This course is considered a refresher course where our primary aim
is to assist you in improving your basic writing skills. ENG 095 will provide you with an intense
skills practice & writing experience. Skills that will be covered include: sentence structure,
paragraph structure, and essay development. Basic rules of Spelling and Grammar will also be
reviewed. All of these focuses will be aimed at assisting the student in developing a solid
foundation for college-level writing. Students will be provided with one-on-one tutoring at the
Academic Success Center. Students will receive additional instruction in writing mechanics,
content, and organization. It is our goal that each student completes this course with a solid level
of skill and confidence in his/her own writing abilities.
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Required Texts & Supplies
Kirszner, Laurie G. & Mandell, Stephen R., Writing First with Readings: Practice in Context,
Third Edition, Boston, MA, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006.
Lunsford, Andrea A., The Everyday Writer, Third Edition, Boston, MA, Bedford/St. Martin’s,
2005.
One three-ring binder (1 ½ inch) for Portfolio.
One set of divider tabs for Portfolio (preferably sets of 8).
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
2
Course Outcomes and Assessments/Measurements
Learner Outcomes
Assessments/Measurements
Through the process of and upon completion of this
course the student will be able to:
The instructor will measure the student’s
required outcomes by evaluating the:
#1. Actively review and practice the general
rules of Spelling in the English language.
#1. Successful completion of Writing First
activities: both in-class & homework.
Chapter Reviews.
Demonstrated improvement in student
writing.
#2. Successful completion of Writing First
#2. Actively review and practice the general
activities: both in-class & homework.
rules of Grammar in the English language.
Chapter Reviews.
Demonstrated improvement in student
writing.
#3. Successful completion of Writing First
#3. Demonstrate an ability to construct
activities: both in-class & homework.
coherent, well- developed sentences (simple,
Chapter Reviews.
compound, and complex) and with variation.
Demonstrated improvement in student
writing.
#4. Successful completion of Writing First
#4. Demonstrate an ability to construct
activities: both in-class & homework.
coherent, well-developed paragraphs.
Chapter Reviews.
Demonstrated improvement in student
writing.
#5. Recognize and correct grammatical, spelling, #5. Successful completion of Daily Oral
and punctuation errors in writing samples.
Language component of course.
Demonstrated improvement in student
writing.
#6. Reflect upon primary learning experiences
across Spelling, Grammar, and Writing
Applications.
#7. Actively engage in the writing process by
constructing two distinctly different types of
essays.
#6. Successful completion of Daily Response
Logs.
#7. Evidence of products demonstrating skills
in the writing process: pre-writing
documents, rough drafts, revised drafts,
edited drafts, and final drafts
in the Final Portfolio.
Successful completion of peer review
process. Demonstrated improvement
in Essay Rubric Scores.
#8. Demonstrate an ability to construct a
#8. Successful performance on final essay by the
coherent, well-developed college-level essay.
English Department’s “Group Read” process.
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
3
#9. Synthesize all elements of the course
into a professionally formatted portfolio.
#9. Successful Completion of the Course
Portfolio.
#10. Utilize the GBC Academic Success Center
for one-on-one tutoring assistance.
#10. Successful Completion of Required Tutoring
sessions (as evidenced by signed
documentation from ASC tutor).
#11. Apply the basics of MLA format
and documentation to final essay.
#11. Evidence in written work utilizing a
rubric evaluation tool.
#12. Develop a respect and/or appreciation
for the art of writing.
#12. Teacher observation of student behavior.
Course Design
Methods of Instruction: Instructional formats will include: lecture, in-class practice,
small group activities, student discussion, peer reviews, tutorial visits, and the writing
workshop.
Live Format: Due to the intensity of this three-week course, all paperwork, etc. will be
directly handed in to course instructor on a daily basis. WebCampus will not be used for
this course. Should you simply wish to email me, please use my regular email address.
This Journey Called Writing: Writing is a process. All writers are constantly in a
journey of improving their own skills. Trust and respect will be critical factors in this
class. One puts his/her “soul” out there when he/she attempts to write – it’s a very risky
endeavor. All of us (I and every individual student) will work to create a very safe and
comfortable environment. Like a group of multiple scaffolds . . . if we support one
another our work will only improve. Let’s work as a cooperative team. Let’s treat it as an
honor to share such a powerful art.
Course Emphases: This course has been designed across two primary learning focuses.
#1. Students will be actively engaged in practicing particular skills across the writing
spectrum. Based on the needs of the students in this class, these skills will include
Spelling, grammar, mechanics, and a sequential process of the writing stages.
#2. Students will be actively engaged in the application of writing – i.e. writing as an art
form will be a critical element of this class. Students will take each of the two
primary essays required for this course through the entire writing process:
pre-writing, rough drafts, revised copies, edited copies, & final published pieces.
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
4
Essay Evaluation: In evaluation of the assigned essays, the instructor will use a standard
rubric which describes the key writing skills determined by Great Basin’s English
Department to be essential to good writing: content, organization, voice, and mechanics.
All major assignments must be submitted in proper manuscript form ~ double-spaced and
word-processed using 12-point font and standard script, with one-inch margins on
standard sized white paper.
Tutoring Component: All students will be required to make weekly appointments with a
tutor at GBC’s Academic Success Center. A minimum of 6 visits will be required for
each student during this three-week class. During the first week of the course, students
will work on sentences and paragraphs with the tutor’s assistance. During the second
week, students will receive assistance with their first essay. And, lastly, during the final
week of class students will receive assistance with their “final” essay. Should it be further
determined that a student is in need of more practice in a specific skill area in writing,
he/she will be required to demonstrate that he/she has visited our textbook’s online
tutorial service in order to practice these identified skills.
Miscellaneous Classroom Policies & Procedures:
 Respect each person, treat each other with dignity, and encourage one another to actively
participate.
 Active listening is essential – please listen while others are speaking.
 Come prepared with a positive & energetic attitude (no whining allowed!).
 Be on time to all classes & attend the entire class session.
 Participate appropriately. Activities or interruptions such as side conversations,
working on other class assignments during class, sleeping, or demonstrating any
other distracting activities are unacceptable.
 Please communicate with the professor as soon as possible if you are having
specific problems or concerns with the class.
 All cell phones must be turned off before entering the classroom.
 No text-messaging is allowed during class.
 No late assignments will be accepted (unless extenuating & documented
circumstances occur). (This is a formal policy of the English Department here at
GBC).
Attendance Policy: Research tells us that learning becomes greatly improved when
students attend class. Therefore consistent and punctual attendance will be a requirement
of this class. Due to the condensed format of this early fall course, no absences will be
allowed. When acknowledging that two full days of a full semester class is being
condensed into each day, it becomes quite apparent that any absence will put the student
far behind . . . and rather quickly. Attendance will be formally taken on a daily basis.
Should any true emergencies arise, formal documentation will be required. It is vital that
you contact me immediately in such situations.
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
5
Great Basin College Official Statements
I. Disability Access:
“Great Basin College supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An
advisor is available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact
the ADA Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at (775) 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to
request timely and appropriate accommodations.”
II. Academic Integrity Policy:
Academic dishonesty is defined as an act of deception in which a student claims credit
for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated
information in any academic work. Academic dishonesty is a violation of the GBC
Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated in this class. Any evidence of
academic dishonesty/plagiarism in this course will result in a failing grade on the
assignment and/or a failing grade for the course. Appropriate institutional consequences
will also be employed if necessary such as academic probation or suspension. This is a
very critical offense. If you are ever uncertain about your use of another person’s words
(ideas, language, data, etc.) you must come to see me about it.
III. Acts of Academic Dishonesty: (include, but are not limited to the following):
Cheating – unauthorized copying or collaborating on a test or assignment, or the use or
attempted use of unauthorized materials.
Tampering – altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and/or documents.
Fabrication – falsifying experimental data or results, inventing research or laboratory
data on results for work not done, or falsely claiming sources not used.
Plagiarism – “Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words, ideas, or data as one’s
own. When a student submits work that includes the words, ideas, or data of
others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete,
accurate, and specific references; and if verbatim statements are included, through
quotation marks as well. In academically honest writing or speaking, the students
will acknowledge the source whenever:
*Another person’s actual words are quoted.
*Another person’s idea, opinion or theory is used, even if it is completely
paraphrased in the student’s own words.
*Facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials are borrowed, unless the
information is common knowledge.
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
6
Evaluation Process:
I. Final Grade Process:
GBC’s ENG 095 is being offered on a Pass/Withdrawal basis. That means that there will
be no letter grade system used to evaluate your progress. You will either Pass the course
or be “withdrawn” from the course by the instructor. Should you receive a “W” grade it
will most probably indicate that you will simply need another semester of ENG 095. This
course can be taken for up to 6 credits. This is a skills-based course where practice in
class is essential. At the end of the semester it will be my discretion whether or not you
are ready for three possible pathways within the English curriculum. They are: #1. I may
recommend that you repeat ENG 095 for one more semester, #2. I may recommend that
you enroll in ENG 100, or #3. I may recommend that you enroll in ENG 101. My
individual recommendation will be placed in the front of your final portfolio.
II. Portfolio:
You will be required to keep a portfolio of all of the work completed in this class. This
portfolio will demonstrate all of your writing efforts throughout the course. You will
include your Writing First text (with completed activities). You will also include all of
the stages of writing that you completed for each essay (from brainstorming to rough
drafts to finished products). Your writing portfolio will demonstrate your individual growth in
the writing process throughout the semester. I will collect your portfolios at the end of the
semester. At that point in time you will receive my final recommendations for where you
continue in this process next semester. Portfolios will be available within one week of the course
completion. They will be held for only one month. . . so be sure to pick your’s up!
III.
ENG 095 Group Read:
Your final essay (Essay #2) will be submitted to an English Department “Group Read” at
the end of the session. GBC English faculty will meet as a group to evaluate your final
essay. This process will provide one more layer of feedback with regards to your essay
writing abilities. If your essay does not receive a passing grade it might be one more
indicator that you will need more time in ENG 095.
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
7
Evaluation System
#1. Completion of Assignments:
a. Completion of In-Class Writing First Activities
b. Completion of Daily Response Logs
c. Completion of Writing Application Assignments
40%
#2. Completion of Writing First Homework Assignments
30%
#3. Successfully Taking 2 Essays Through the Writing Process
30%
Includes evidence of all stages of process:
a. The pre-writing process.
b. The rough draft.
c. The revised draft.
d. The edited draft (Dr. Laxalt’s rubric score).
d. The published/final draft.
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100%
Program and/or Instructor Requirements (all required for Passing Grade):
a. Successful Completion of Final Portfolio
b. Successful Passing of English Department’s “Group Read” with final essay.
c. Evidence of Six Visits to the Academic Success Center.
Grading Criteria:
Students must receive at least 75% performance in order to receive a “P” (Passing)
grade in this class. Students must also complete the program requirements in order
to pass this class. The instructor will submit final recommendation in student’s
portfolio.
ENG 095 – Section E06
Early Fall Semester, 2008
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Marie Laxalt
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE ~ REVISED Thursday, August 7th, 2008
(Chapter Assignments from Writing First Text by Kirszner & Mandell)
Intro. Session
Session #1:
Mon., August 4th
Introductions
Getting to Know You
Syllabus
Assessments
Student’s Guide to Text –
pg. xxiii
Session #
Spelling
Session #2:
Tues., August 5th
Session #3:
Wed., August 6th
Chapter 34:
Understanding Spelling
– pg. 555
Section A: Becoming a
Better Speller
HW: Choose 3 Strategies
& discuss how you will
use them.
Chapter 34:
Section B: Deciding
between ie and ei
HW: Practice 34-1
(completed in class 8-5)
Grammar
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Skill ~ Sentence
Style ~ Paragraph
Essay Work
Chapter 26:
Verbs: Past
Tense:
Sections A & B ~
Reg/Irreg. Verbs
HW: Practice 26-1
& 26-2
Chapter 15:
Writing Simple
Sentences
HW: Chapter
Review:
Write 5 Simple
Sentences
Chapter 1:
Writing A
Paragraph
Sections A-C
HW: Draft a
Paragraph
Chapter 26:
Sections C & D ~
Problem Verbs
HW: Practice 26-3
& 26-4
(completed in class
8-6)
HW: Chapter
Review- CH. 26
Chapter 16:
Writing
Compound
Sentences
HW: Chapter
Review –CH. 16
Write 5 Comp.
Sentences
Chapter 1:
Sections D-F
HW:
Practice 1-15
(Draft a paragraph)
Free
Writing
Free
Writing
Essay Readings
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
Session #
Spelling
Grammar
Session #4:
Thurs., August 7th
Chapter 34:
Section C: Understanding
Prefixes
HW: Practice 34-2
Chapter 26:
Run-Ons &
Comma Splices
Course Materials
In-Class ~ Practice
HW: Worksheet
Session #5:
Fri., August 8th
Chapter 34:
Section D:
Understanding Suffixes
~ Word Ending in Silent e
~Words ending in y
HW: Practice 34-3 & 34-4
Chapter 34:
Section D:
Understanding Suffixes
~Doubling the Final
Consonant
HW: Practice 34-5
Chapter 34:
Section E:
Learning Commonly
Confused Words,
#1- 5: pg. 563-4
HW: Practice 34-6
Chapter 27:
Verbs
Sections A & B:
Past Participles
HW: Practice 27-1
& 27-2
Chapter 27:
Section C:
Using the Present
Perfect Tense
HW: Practice 27-4
& 27-5
Chapter 27:
Section D:
Using the Past
Perfect Tense
HW: Practice 27-6
Chapter 34:
Section E: Learning
Commonly Confused
Chapter 27:
Section E:
Using Past
Session #6:
Mon., August 11th
Session #7:
Tues., August 12th
Session #8:
Wed., August 13th
9
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Skill~ Sentence
Chapter 17:
Writing
Complex
Sentences
HW: Write 5
Complex Sents.
Style~ Paragraph
Chapter 2:
Fine-Tuning Your
Paragraph
Sections A & B:
Topic Sentence &
Unity
In-Class Practice~
2-1 & 2-4
HW: Revise
Paragraph – Label
Topic Sentence &
Unit
Chapter 2:
Sections C & D
HW: Practice 2-13
Essay Work
Chapter 18:
Sentence
Variety
HW:Chapter
Review –pg. 297
Chapter 19:
Using
Parallelism
HW: Chapter
Review – pg.
306
Chapter 4:
Narration
Sections A & B
HW: Writing a
Narrative
Paragraph
Chapter 5:
Description
Sections A & B
HW: Writing a
Descriptive
Paragraph
Essay Readings
Sample Paragraph
Edited Paragraph
Draft of Proposal:
Essay #1:
DescriptiveNarrative Essay
Chapter 36:
The Sanctuary of
School by Lynda
Barry – pg. 601
Proposal Due:
Essay #1:
DescriptiveNarrative Essay
Chapter 36:
Thirty-Eight Who
Saw Murder Didn’t
Call the Police by
Martin Gansberg –
pg. 603
The Writing
Process:
Chapter 12:
Chapter 36:
Summer Picnic
Fish Fry by Maya
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
Words, #6-10: pg. 565
HW: Practice 34-7
Session #
Session #9:
Thurs., Aug. 14th
Spelling
Chapter 34:
Section E: Learning
Commonly Confused
Words, #11-16: pg. 566-7
HW: Practice 34-8
Session #10:
Fri., August 15th
Chapter 34:
Section E: Learning
Commonly Confused
Words, #17-23: pg. 568-9
HW: Practice 34-9
Session #11:
Mon., August 18th
Chapter 34:
Section E: Learning
Commonly Confused
Words, #24-28: pg. 569570
HW: Practice 34-10
Session #12:
Tues., August 19th
Chapter 34:
Section E: Learning
10
Participles as
Adjectives
HW: Practice 27-7
& Chapter Review
Grammar
Chapter 28:
Nouns &
Pronouns
Sections A & B:
Identifying Nouns
& Plural Nouns
HW: Practice 28-1
& 28-2
Chapter 28:
Sections C & D:
Identifying &
Understanding
Pronouns
HW: Practice 28-3
& 28-4
Chapter 28:
Section G:
Special Problems
HW: Practice
28-13 & 28-14
In-Class Chapter
Review: Pg. 460 &
461
Chapter 29:
Adjectives &
Writing an Essay:
Sections A-C
Rough Draft
Of DescriptiveNarrative Essay
Due (Peer Review)
Angelou – pg. 607
Essay Readings
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Skill~Sentence
Style~Paragraph
Essay Work
Chapter 12:
Sections D-F
HW: Revised
Copy of Essay #1
Due
Chapter 36:
Guavas by
Esmeralda Santiago
– pg. 608
Editing/Revising
Essay #1
Dr. Laxalt Rubric
& Repair Work
Chapter 36:
Resisting My
Family History by
Indira Ganesan – pg.
621
Final Draft: Essay
#1 Due
Chapter 8:
ComparisonContrast
Paragraph
HW: Write a
ComparisonContrast Paragraph
Proposal Due:
Essay #2: CompareContrast
Chapter 36:
Men are From
Mars, Women are
From Venus by
John Gray – pg. 624
Rough Draft Due:
Compare-Contrast
ENG 095 Course Syllabus, Early Fall Semester, 2008
Commonly Confused
Words, #29-32: pg. 571
HW: Practice 34-11
Session #
Spelling
11
Essay
(Peer Review)
Adverbs
Section A:
Identifying
HW: Practice 29-1
& 29-2
Grammar
Session #13:
Wed., August 20th
In-class Chapter
Review: pg. 573-575
Chapter 29:
Section B:
Comparatives &
Superlatives
HW: Practice 29-3
& 29-5 & Chapter
Review
Session #14:
Thurs., Aug. 21st
Spelling PostAssessment
Grammar PostAssessment
Session #15:
Fri., August 22nd
Spelling Work in
Portfolio
Grammar Work
in Portfolio
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Writing
Applications:
Skill~ Sentence
Style~Paragraph
Essay Work
Revise & Edit –
Essay #2
Essay Readings
Revise & Edit
Essay #2
Sentence Work
in Portfolio
Paragraph Work
in Portfolio
Final Draft of
Essay #2 Due:
Comes in as
Final Exam for
“Group Read”
All Stages of
Writing
Documented in
Portfolio
Class
Celebration:
Portfolio Share