English 99, Basic Writing Strategies
Course Syllabus
Western Nevada College, Carson Campus
Fall, 2013
Instructor: Henry A. Weiner
E-mail: henry.weiner@wnc.edu
Credits: 6 (pass/fail/audit)
Prerequisites: None
Meets: T/Th, 5:30 PM-8:15 PM
Location: Bris 344
Duration: Aug 26, 2013—Dec 4, 2013
Course Description: This course assists students in basic English skills
through instruction in sentence instruction and basic paragraph
development. It provides instruction in sentence patterns, and
paragraph development. It also provides a review of grammar,
mechanics, punctuation, spelling and word usage. Some of the course
may be offered through computer-assisted instruction.
1. Text required materials: The Dolphin Writer, Book 3. Bring a
collegiate dictionary, notebook, writing materials and journal to
class.
2. Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the students
should be able to—
--Identify the essential elements of sentence structure.
--Write sentences that are correct and meaningful.
--Use punctuation correctly.
--Recognize and write topic sentences.
--Develop topic sentences into unified, coherent paragraphs.
3. Course Linkage: Although this course does not fulfill any general
or degree program requirements, it will assist students toward
developing college level reading, writing, and critical thinking
skills, and prepare them to succeed in college level courses for
those interested in an academic degree. It will also assist in
improving writing for employment purposes.
4. This class will implement the lecture style using the Elmo.
1
Class discussion is encouraged and frequent exercises from the
textbook used. Other sources such as the internet (Purdue Owl)
and handouts expand the scope of the class.
6. Writing assignments: Five formal papers are required with a two
page minimum, typed with correct heading:
Your name, Eng 99, date due, rhetorical device used such as
description, compare/contrast, P1, P2, etc.
*Argument/persuasion: to be submitted to the Nevada Appeal for
possible publication in the Opinion section.
*Description—connecting Haiku poetry, conciseness emphasized.
*Compare/ contrast
*Cause/effect
*Short story
P2-p4 will have 2nd drafts in order to use editing and revision.
At the beginning of the course, there is an in-class Expectations
paper, and at mid-term, a teacher Evaluation paper.
Two original Haiku are required.
7. Attendance will be taken each class, also you
are responsible for all materials covered in class and all assignments
passed in. The final exam must be taken in order to pass.
8. Behavior: No disrespect to the teacher and other students.
Cell phones are put away. Do not have private conversations while
the teacher is speaking.
9. Grades: This is a pass/fail course—70% to pass.
25% papers, 25% quizzes, 25% class participation including
behavior and attitude, 25% final exam.
10. *Student Resources: Counseling Center is at the lower level
Bristlecone.
*Academic Skills Center (ASC): Bristlecone, room 330 (445-4260)
*Computer Lab: room 331, Cedar, computers and printers for your
use. Lab fee required.
*Library: Student Center Building
*Bookstore: Aspen Building courtyard
*Disability: If you have a disability for which you will
need to request accommodations, please contact Susan
Trist, Coordinator for Disability Support Services at 775-445-3268,
Or susan.trist@wnc.edu as soon as possible to arrange for
appropriate
2
Accommodations.
Specifics:
1. We will go over the Eight Parts of Speech, identify subjects and
verbs (including helping verbs with past participles), infinitive and
prepositional phrases, and how to avoid fragments.
2. We will use MLA outline format in all assigned papers that helps
toward unity and coherence.
3. We will discuss the topic sentence.
4. We will consider pre-writing techniques, such as brainstorming
and clustering.
5. Some in-class writing will assess writing skills.
6. Use of contractions and spelling will be discussed using
exercises from the text.
8. We will keep a day-to-day journal. It is also required that
suggestions and corrections be put in the back of your journal,
so that you have a personal record to imrove your writing.
Your ideas are important: develop and cherish them.
7. The Regulator: Will give all the information covered in each class.
It is written by the students for the students.
Schedule (possible changes)
 Week 1: Subjects and Verbs
 Week 2: Subject/Verb agreement
 Week 3: Fragments
 Week 4: Run-ons
 Week 5: Pronouns
 Week 6: Commas
 Week 7: Apostrophes
 Week 8: Punctuation concluded
 Week 9: Homonyms
 Week 10: Capitalization
 Week 11: Word choice
 Week 12: Dangling Modifiers
 Week 13: Parallelism
 Week 14: Eight Parts of Speech
 Week 15: Types of phrases
3
Emphasizing attendance: Please do not be absent more than
two times, or it will become an issue with your counselor.
Put in an honest effort, without cutting corners, and take
advantage of this chance to improve your writing.
4
5