TR
ENGLISH 100-H25
6:15 p.m. – 9:35p.m. DONLEY CENTER
FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING
SUMMER 2006, SESSION I
Instructor:
Phone:
Email:
Marc Bonanni
(610)-799-1050 (x3480)
mbonanni@lccc.edu
REQUIRED TEXT:
Fawcett, Susan. Evergreen: A Guide to Writing with Readings.7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Co., 2004.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Two-pocket folder
A supply of loose-leaf paper
Computer diskette(s)
OFFICE HOURS:
I am available before and after class (preferably before). You will have plenty of time in class to
discuss your writing progress with me. However, if you would like to speak with me before or
after class, just give me a heads-up so arrangements can be made.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
This is a preparatory writing course that will help students develop and practice the basic writing
skills necessary for successful participation in English 105 and other college courses where
writing is required. To become a confident and independent writer, students will explore and
establish writing rituals while composing 500+ word essays for various audiences and in various
modes. During classroom workshops and in the writing center, students will adopt revision
strategies and learn how to identify and eliminate grammar errors in prose. Course assignments
and classroom activities will show students how word processing programs can be invaluable
composing and revision tools. Daily homework assignments will reinforce classroom lessons and
allow you to practice specific writing techniques. Consequently, you will be a more confident and
experienced writer at the end of the semester.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. to be skilled in the writing of essays that have clear and succinct thesis statements,
specific developmental structure, appropriate transitional devices, effective examples and
details, correct grammatical and mechanical usage.
2. to use a variety of writing modes to compose six 500+ word essays and revisions
3. to develop effective writing habits through intensive work with the instructor and writing
center tutors
4. to identify and correct grammatical errors in your own essays
5. to complete two in-class essays that exhibit proficient writing skills during timed class
periods
6. to compose a passing exit exam, consisting of one 500+ word essay written during a
timed class period
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. completion of six writing assignments and revisions
2. completion of a writing portfolio, including a passing grade on the exit exam and a pretest
3. completion of all reading, grammar and essay assignments
4. regular attendance and participation
5. completion of two in-class essays during timed class periods
ATTENDANCE:
The only way to receive feedback on your writing is to be in class. College policy dictates that if
you miss more than nine consecutive hours of class time, the registrar will be notified and you
might be asked to withdraw from the class. I will notify the registrar if you are out for nine
consecutive hours (3 class periods). And, nine hours TOTAL of missed class will result in failing
the course. Arriving late or leaving early will count as absences for that hour.
SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS:
Essay assignments must be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins and 12-point, Times
New Roman font. In the upper left-hand corner, type your name, English 100, the type of essay,
M. Bonanni and the date it is due. A format sheet with example will be handed out in class.
Papers must be handed in
THE DAY THEY ARE DUE DURING CLASS TIME. YOU MUST BE
IN CLASS TO SUBMIT ESSAYS. NO assignments will be
accepted late. This includes any Practice Homework assignments from the text. Please
Staple the pages together in the upper left-hand corner.
do not email me assignments.
GRADING:
Individual assignments will be graded via rubric using a four-point scale based on 14 areas
(please see separate rubric handout). An overall R grade (satisfactory) will be awarded if close to
all of the areas are deemed “acceptable.” Scoring anything less in many areas will earn a Z grade
(unsatisfactory). You must revise papers until they meet acceptable (R grade) standards. All six
essays and revisions must be submitted before students can take the exit exam.
PORTFOLIO, EXIT EXAM and FINAL GRADE:
At the end of the semester, you will organize a portfolio to showcase the best essays you
completed during the course. The portfolio will contain all drafts and invention exercises that lead
to the revised versions of at least three essays. The portfolio will include your pre-test (initial
writing sample) and all its revisions, three of your best essays and all of their revisions, and the
exit exam taken during the last week of classes. The exit exam assesses your ability to write a
detailed, thoroughly developed, well-organized, well-supported and mechanically correct essay of
at least 500 words.
Portfolios and exit exams will be reviewed by the instructor and, perhaps, one other English
faculty member, to determine whether or not students are prepared to enroll in English 105
(College English I). Students who do not submit a portfolio and/or do not pass the exit
exam will receive a Z or F grade and be required to retake English 100.
Your final grade will be recorded as R (release), Z (non-release) or F. Earning an R means you
have successfully completed the coursework and passed the exit exam. You may then register
for English 105. Earning a Z means you have made progress in the course, but you must reregister for English 100 in order to continue preparing for college-level writing. Earning an F
means you have not completed the coursework and assignments; and, as a result, your writing
skills have not shown noticeable improvement. You will repeat English 100 if you receive an F.
REMINDER: Students who do not complete all course requirements will not be permitted to
submit a portfolio or take the exit exam, and will receive a grade of F.
DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES:
Students with disabilities must first contact the Office of Disability Support
Services at 610-799-1156 to request course accommodations. Students are
also encouraged to personally discuss arrangements with the instructor if there
is a need to share medical emergency information or if there is a need for
special building evacuation assistance in an emergency situation.
WRITING CENTER:
I encourage all of you to take advantage of the services offered by the college’s Barthlow Writing
Center (main campus). In addition to receiving valuable feedback on any aspect of your writing,
you will have an attentive audience for your work. Please contact Education Support Services at
(610)-799-1156 to arrange an appointment.
PLAGIARISM:
A student submitting an assignment that in whole or part has been written by someone else
without proper acknowledgement is guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense.
Plagiarized assignments will receive an automatic 0 (zero); and, the student who commits
plagiarism will fail the course. In addition, I will recommend to the Dean of Students that the
student be expelled from the college. Please refer to the college’s Student Handbook to learn
more about policies on academic honesty and plagiarism.
FINALLY:
I will extend the utmost respect to you, and I expect you to give the same courtesy to the other
members of the class. While you may not always agree with everything that is discussed in this
class (and that is fine with me), I hope you will all be able to respect others’ opinions. A large part
of learning at this level is realizing that there are many sides to every issue, and true learning
takes place only after all sides have been considered. If you ever have a problem with the way
the class is being run, let me know and we can discuss alternatives. You are in college, so
please use common sense when dealing with classroom issues. While I am laid back about most
aspects of this class, I take my job very seriously. I fully expect you to put your best effort into the
class.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
***ADDITIONAL HANDOUTS FOR READINGS AS WELL
AS OTHER OUTSIDE READINGS WILL ALSO BE
ASSIGNED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
INSTRUCTOR. ALSO, THE SCHEDULE MAY CHANGE
BASED ON UNFORSEEN CONFLICTS.***
*******ALL
READINGS WILL BE FROM THE EVERGREEN TEXT*******
CLASS 1 (May 16):
Introduction to the course
Introductions of the class
Proust questionnaire (handout)
Pre-writing
*******PRE-TEST*******
CLASS 2 (May 18):
Assessment/discussion of writing examples
Explanation/discussion of writing process
Sentence structure
Paragraph writing
Paragraph coherence
Organization
Using computers and word processing
Work on revision of Pre-Test essay
Reading:
pp. 3-19, 20-63
Assignments:
Practice 1 (p. 5)
Practice 5 (p. 6)
Practice 6 (p. 13)
Unit 1 Writer’s Workshop #1-6 (pp. 18-19)
Practice 1 (p. 23)
Practice 2 (p. 24)
Practice 12 (pp. 37-38)
Practice 1 (pp. 46-47)
Practice 2 (p. 49)
Practice 8 (p. 61)
CLASS 3 (May 23):
Process of writing an essay
Summary and evaluation
Research techniques
PRE-TEST REVISION DUE
Reading: pp. 168-197, 230-252
Assignments:
PRE-TEST REVISION
Practice 2 (pp. 175-176)
Practice 5 (pp. 182-183)
Type a one-and-a-half-page film review of a movie you recently saw
CLASS 4 (May 25):
Illustrative essay
Coordination and subordination
Reading: 67-75, 343-357
Assignments:
Practice 2 (pp. 71-72)
Practice 3 (pp. 73-74)
Practice 1 (pp. 344-345)
Practice 5 (pp. 348-349)
Practice 11 (a, b OR c) (pp. 355-375)
*******ILLUSTRATIVE ESSAY DUE CLASS 5*******
CLASS 5 (May 30):
Narrative essay
Avoiding sentence errors
Reading: 76-83, 358-373
Assignments:
Illustrative essay due
Practice 1 (pp. 359-360)
Practice 8 OR 9 ONE SELECTION ONLY FROM EITHER (pp. 370-373)
*******NARRATIVE ESSAY DUE CLASS 6*******
CLASS 6 (June 1)
Descriptive essay
Present tense (agreement)
Reading: 84-91, 374-384
Assignments:
Narrative essay due
Practice 3 (pp. 88-89)
Practice 1 (pp. 375-376)
Practice 8 (p. 383)
*******DESCRIPTIVE ESSAY DUE CLASS 8*******
CLASS 7 (June 6):
WRITING WORKSHOP/INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCES
***REVISION #1 DUE (others may be turned in as well)***
CLASS 8 (June 8):
Writing in-class essay
Reading: 253-265
Assignments:
In-class essay (topic to be given in class)
CLASS 9 (June 13)
Definition essay
Past tense
Reading: 102-114, 385-393
Assignments:
Descriptive essay due
Practice 5 (pp. 110-111)
Practice 6 (pp. 392-393)
*******DEFINITION ESSAY DUE CLASS 10*******
CLASS 10 (June 15):
Persuasive essay
Past participles
REVISION #2 DUE
In-class essay #2
Reading: 115-131, 394-406
Assignments:
Definition essay due
REVISION #2
Practice 1 (pp. 116-117)
Practice 9 (pp. 129-230)
Practice 10 (pp. 405-406)
*******PERSUASIVE ESSAY DUE CLASS 11*******
CLASS 11 (June 20):
Proofreading skills
***WRITING WORKSHOP/WORK ON FINAL REVISIONS/PEER EDITING/INDIVIDUAL
CONFERENCES***
Reading: 150-167, 469-479
Assignments:
Persuasive essay due
Pick any 2 practices in Chapter 37 and complete
*******PERSUASIVE ESSAY DUE CLASS 12*******
CLASS 12 (June 22):
Individual conferences (go over portfolio and persuasive essay)
Revision #3 due
Final writing points of concern
Portfolio preparation
Any questions?
Assignment:
REVISION #3 (may be persuasive essay, worked on in class)
*******EXIT EXAM*******
*******PORTFOLIO DUE*******
*******end of syllabus*******