ENGLISH 091/105 (combined sections) Syllabus Fall 2014
Basic Grammar & Sentence Patterns/Grammar & Communication
Instructor: Laura Burns
Telephone: (425) 564-2373
E-mail: laura.burns@bellevuecollege.edu
Office: R230-M
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 – 11:20. Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30-1:20. Most Fridays I work at
home. We can certainly set up an appointment outside of these times, and you’ll find me frequently online, checking in
around 7am, again at noon, and then early evening (between 5 and 6pm).
The overall goal of English 091 and English 105 is to help you improve your editing skills. The course is self-paced. This
means that you must show evidence of progress each week, but you do not have to complete a specific number of
chapters of the book by the end of the quarter. The number of chapters you complete will depend on your personal goals,
your previous knowledge of English grammar, your level of anxiety, and the amount of time you're able to spend.
Scroll down for English 105 syllabus
Syllabus: English 091
English 091 is not a substitute for the English 070 series or for English 092. Passing English 091 will not give you
placement in English 092, 093, or 101. However, if you complete a new chapter every week, and if you read well, you'll be
prepared to place at the 092 or 093 level on the English Department’s Challenge Test, which you'll be allowed to take at
the end of the quarter. If you complete the later chapters in our textbook, you'll be editing at the English 101 level. It's
possible to test into English 101 if you read well enough and write a strong, well-supported, well-edited essay.
English 105 is not a substitute for English 101, nor does it give you automatic placement in English 101. However, it can
be excellent preparation for the COMPASS test for 101 placement, or the English Department’s Challenge Test to gain
placement in English 101.
If you have questions about your placement or about the testing options, please ask me.
Textbooks and Materials
Required:
A Commonsense Guide to Grammar and Usage, by Larry Beason and Mark Lester, 6th edition, ISBN
139780312590536. You'll need this book for the grammatical explanations, as well as initial self-checking exercises.
Learning Curve for Readers and Writers, ISBN9781457667473 this is an e-book that you will purchase through our
bookstore. You can use this link to purchase
it: http://bellevue.verbacompare.com/comparison?id=F14__ENGL__091__1036 (Links to an external site.). You'll need
this ebook to complete the exercise drills you'll receive points for. The explanations are very limited for this ebook, hence
the need for A Commonsense Guide as well.
What You Will Learn
You'll learn to correct basic mistakes in grammar and punctuation. After completing the first five chapters of A
Commonsense Guide to Grammar and Usage, you'll know enough basic grammar to gain maximum benefit from a more
advanced grammar course, a college-level composition course, or a business writing workshop. You'll know you've
mastered the basics when you can:

Write a full page in your journal in 15-20 minutes

Identify and use five basic sentence elements: nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs

Recognize and use independent and dependent clauses

Use commas to separate clauses and other sentence elements

Identify and use correctly the five basic verb tenses, including irregular verb forms

Use your own personal editing and proofreading process to find and correct basic mistakes in grammar, sentence
structure, and punctuation

You'll also learn to revise your prose to improve clarity, flow, and style and be able to

Make pronouns relate clearly to the nouns they stand for

Reduce clutter in your writing

Make choppy sentences flow more smoothly

Make longer sentences more readable

Decide when to use passive sentence patterns and when to avoid them

Use parallel and balanced structure to achieve special effects

Punctuate your sentences to convey the tone and rhythm of your own natural voice


Use difficult verb tenses to express time sequences and nuances of meaning
What you need to succeed:
Because this course is entirely online, you need to complete several orientation steps to ensure your success:
• In order to use our class website effectively, you MUST complete the Canvas Student Orientation and be aware of the
ideal web browsers to use and the basic tools. Follow the link in this module to view the videos.
Also click on the “How to Start Classes in Canvas” link in this module to explore browser requirements and other general
questions you might have.
• Always keep me informed if you have problems with the technology, and I will find help for you. You may also contact
the Distance Education office directly by email or phone: landerso@belleveucollege.edu or 425-564-2438. They can be
extremely helpful with technology! However, I expect that you bring some expertise with you to help in solving problems
that arise. Ultimately, your computer and internet services are your responsibility. If you are signed up for the online
section and you have computer problems, you may use the computer labs on the BCC campus if you have an emergency.
Assignments and Grading
You’ll do a lot of work in class, but I also expect you to do at five to ten hours of work at home each week. Homework will
include journal writings, exercises you’ll complete and check on your own in A Commonplace Guide to grammar and
usage, and exercises you’ll do online in Learning Curve that I will be checking.
Your grade will not depend on how many chapters you complete. As long as you show evidence of steady progress and
turn in the weekly self-evaluation reports, you'll pass.
If you are in English 091, the course is graded Pass/Fail. Your grade will be based on attendance, journal writing, and
work in Patterns evidenced by your Friday in-class write.

Journal Writings 100 Points (10 points each week for 4 entries per week)


Friday Writes: 200 points (20 points each write)
Weekly exercises in Learning Curve: 200 points (20 points per chapter set)

Three Self Evaluations 60 (20 points each evaluation)


In addition to these assignments, your initial diagnostic write is worth 20 points.
To pass the course, you must earn at least 450 out of 580 possible points.
Journal Writings
You must do four journal writings each week at home in a Word document or scanned pages that you turn in each
Monday. Write about the things that interest you—your family, your friends, movies you see, books you read, places you
go, your opinions and ideas about education, morality, politics, etc. Write as though you're talking to a friend.
Each time you write in your journal, begin by writing the date and the journal number—for example, "1/28/2010 Journal
4/3" or "1/28/2010 My Thoughts on...." Then write FAST for 15 minutes or more. Each day, try to write more in the same
amount of time. Don't worry about grammar, sentence structure, or spelling. Just put your thoughts down on paper as
quickly as you can. If English is not your native language, don’t stop writing to look words up. Leave a blank, or write the
word in your own language. After you finish, you can look up the words you left out.
Your journals are due each Monday by midnight, beginning in the 2nd week.
Learning Curve Exercises
The online exercises in Learning Curve will provide you extensive practice with the grammar concept for the week, and
they will also allow me to check your progress. Everyone will be on an individual program, and the number of exercises
will be assigned to you before the Monday of the week they are due. Exercises must be completed by the following
Sunday evening.
Self Evaluation
Three times in the quarter you'll turn in a brief self-evaluation report along with your journal writings, due that
Monday. This self-evaluation should be approximately ½ of a page, typed. In this self-evaluation, discuss what chapters
and practices you’ve been covering in the preceding weeks, what you learned and what your goals are for the next
weeks. Talk about any concepts that were difficult for you, and ones that were easy to master. I'll use your selfevaluation and your Friday write to judge your progress. In particular, I’ll be using your self-evaluation to check how well
you’re mastering the particular concept you studied and practiced that week, so make sure you clearly state what you’ve
learned. Since you're all working at different speeds, “satisfactory progress” will mean something different for each
person.
Due Dates
Due each Monday, starting with Week 2:

Four journal writings (written at home)
Due each Friday, starting with week 2:

One timed write due in Quizzes. I will post the prompt at the opening of the 48 hour period. You will have two hours
to complete this prompt, once you begin writing.
Due each Sunday by midnight, starting with week 2:

Completion of the exercises assigned to you in Learning Curve.
Due 3 Mondays during the quarter:

a self evaluation describing what you've learned, what you're struggling with, and your learning goals for the next few
weeks.
Special Needs
If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need
special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. If you
would like to inquire about how to receive support from DRC (Disability Resource Center), you may call 425-564-2498 or
go in person to the DRC reception area in the A Building.
Syllabus: English 105
Instructor: Laura Burns
Telephone: (425) 564-2373
E-mail: laura.burns@bellevuecollege.edu
Office: R230-M
Office Hours: 10:30-11:20 Mon/Wed/Fri and 12:30-1:20 Tues/Thurs (and by appointment)
This syllabus answers basic questions about English 105.
About English 091 and 105
English 091 and English 105 are taught together every quarter. English 105 covers much of the same material as English
091, but also covers editing issues of style and tone.
English 105 is graded A through F. The course is divided into 10 sets, most of which will comprise one chapter. However,
at the beginning of the quarter, a “set” might mean completing some practices from multiple chapters, to serve as review
for later chapters. These will be determined after your diagnostic test in the first week. The initial sets cover parts of
speech, basic sentence patterns, and editing. Later sets (or usually chapters) will focus on more complex editing and
style. You may work more or less at your own pace, but your grade will depend on how many of the assignment sets you
complete satisfactorily by the end of the quarter. If you don't already have some knowledge of the basics, you may have
trouble completing the course. The grading scheme is described in more detail below.
If you prefer a more relaxed, flexible, self-paced format and do not need transfer-level credit, consider switching to 091
now, even if you're at the English 101 level or above. Many professionals prefer 091 because it adapts more easily to
individual needs and unpredictable work schedules.
Textbooks
Required:
A Commonsense Guide to Grammar and Usage, by Larry Beason and Mark Lester, 6th edition, ISBN
139780312590536. You'll need this book for the grammatical explanations, as well as initial self-checking exercises.
Learning Curve for Readers and Writers, ISBN9781457667473 this is an e-book that you will purchase through our
bookstore. You can use this link to purchase it:
http://bellevue.verbacompare.com/comparison?id=F14__ENGL__105__1150 (Links to an external site.). You'll need this
ebook to complete the exercise drills you'll receive points for. The explanations are very limited for this ebook, hence the
need for A Commonsense Guide.
Recommended

If English is not your native language: Chartbook: Understanding and Using English Grammar by Betty Azar

Chartbook is the best reference book available for non-native speakers at the advanced levels of English.
If English is your second language, or if you are bilingual, you will have to decide whether you need Chartbook or not.
Look it over before you buy it. If the terminology and subject matter are familiar to you, you will probably find it useful. If
they are not familiar, don't buy the book unless I tell you you need it later. It assumes that you already know the
terminology it is using.
What You Will Learn
The overall goal of English 105 is to help you improve your editing skills. If you complete all 10 of the 105 sets
satisfactorily, you will be able to
(1) Correct Basic Mistakes in Grammar and Punctuation

Avoid unclear pronoun references without avoiding pronouns

Use verb tenses consistently


Decide when to use a comma, a semicolon, or a period
Follow your own editing and proofing process
(2) Revise Your Prose to Improve Clarity, Flow, and Style

Make choppy sentences flow more smoothly

Make longer sentences more readable

Decide when to use passive patterns and when to avoid them

Reduce clutter in your writing

Use parallel and balanced structure to achieve special effects


Punctuate your sentences to convey the tone and rhythm of your own natural voice
Use "difficult" verb tenses with confidence
Time Management
I expect you to spend about 15 hours a week on this course. You’ll spend 5 hours a week working in class, but you’ll often
need another 10 hours a week studying concepts, completing other practices and writing in your journal.
Course Work
This course consists of 10 “sets” of assignments, mostly single chapters in A Commonsense Guide to grammar and
usage and accompanying exercises in Learning Curve, but sometimes 2 chapters for review. The Learning Curve
exercises are the ones you will receive points for. Every Friday, you’ll complete a writing assignment written in one
session in Canvas. Every third Monday you’ll turn in a self-evaluation, and your journal writings will be turned in every
Monday. Your grade will be based on completing these assignments.
Journal
You must do five journal writings each week at home in a Word document or scanned pages that you turn in each
Monday. Write about the things that interest you—your family, your friends, movies you see, books you read, places you
go, your opinions and ideas about education, morality, politics, etc. Write as though you're talking to a friend.
Each time you write in your journal, begin by writing the date and the journal number—for example, "1/28/2010 Journal
4/3" or "1/28/2010 My Thoughts on...." Then write FAST for 15 minutes or more. Each day, try to write more in the same
amount of time. Don't worry about grammar, sentence structure, or spelling. Just put your thoughts down on paper as
quickly as you can. If English is not your native language, don’t stop writing to look words up. Leave a blank, or write the
word in your own language. After you finish, you can look up the words you left out.
Your journals are due each Monday by midnight, beginning in the 2nd week.
Self Evaluation
Three times in the quarter you'll turn in a brief self-evaluation report along with your journal writings, due that
Monday. This self-evaluation should be approximately ½ of a page, typed. In this self-evaluation, discuss what chapters
and practices you’ve been covering in the preceding weeks, what you learned and what your goals are for the next
weeks. Talk about any concepts that were difficult for you, and ones that were easy to master. I'll use your selfevaluation and your Friday write to judge your progress. In particular, I’ll be using your self-evaluation to check how well
you’re mastering the particular concept you studied and practiced that week, so make sure you clearly state what you’ve
learned. Since you're all working at different speeds, “satisfactory progress” will mean something different for each
person.
Due Dates
Due each Monday, starting with Week 2:

Four journal writings (written at home)

One in-class journal writing (written on Friday/Saturday)
Due each Friday, starting with week 2:

One timed write due in Quizzes. I will post the prompt at the opening of the 48 hour period. You will have two hours
to complete this prompt, once you begin writing.
Due each Sunday by midnight, starting with week 2:

Completion of the exercises assigned to you in Learning Curve.
Grading
English 105 is graded A-F. I'll base your grade on four elements of the course: your weekly exercises, three selfevaluation reports, your journal and your Friday writes.
Self-evaluation (60 points/3 reports x 20 points each). You'll turn in three self-evaluations, each worth 20 points. I'll
subtract points if your self-eval is late, if it is not informative, or if it doesn't show evidence of progress. A self-eval that is a
full week or more late is not eligible to receive any points, as it is too far out of date to be useful.
Chapter Exercises (200 points, 20 points per chapter). English 105 consists of ten sets of exercises completed in Learning
Curve, usually on one grammar topic per week. You’ll first read the examples and explanations in A Commonsense Guide
to grammar and usage, and complete on your own those book exercises. You’ll then go on to complete the exercises in
Learning Curve, which I will check and grade. You need to pass all those exercises with 80% correct to receive the 20
points.
Friday Write (200 points, 20 points per write)
At the end of each week, you’ll write an essay in “Quizzes” in Canvas that is worth 20 points, that will illustrate your ability
to edit for the concept(s) you’ve learned so far. You must achieve minimum competency (70% of the points) on each
essay before you may go on to the next set. If you don't achieve minimum level or above on your first try, you'll continue to
work on the skills of that set until you succeed.
Make-up writes: Friday writes must be done within the given time frame, usually Thursday morning to Friday noon. If an
emergency makes it impossible for you to complete the write, you may arrange for ONE make-up essay during the
quarter. You MUST contact me by the due time on Friday.
Journal (100 points, 10 points per weekly set of 5 entries). You’ll turn in your journal every Monday with five new journal
entries for that week. Each entry is worth 2 points, for a total of 50 entries by the end of the quarter. However, you can’t
“make-up” journal entries. They must be turned in on time to receive their points. If you turn in the journal the following
week, the entries lose one point per day late (not counting Saturday and Sunday).
In addition to these assignments, your initial diagnostic write is worth 20 points.
GRADES
Your grade in English 105 is based on a grading scale of 580 points total. I use common grade percentages to determine
your ending grade. Here is the breakdown below:
A = 95%-100% = 551-580 points
A- = 90%-94% = 522-550 points
B+ = 87%-89% = 504-521 points
B = 84%-86% = 487-503 points
B- = 80-83% = 464-486
C+ = 77%-79% = 446-463 points
C = 74%-76% = 429-445 points
C- = 70%-73% = 406-428 points
D+ = 67%-69% = 388-405 points
D = 64%-66% = 371-378 points
D- = 60%-63% = 348-370 points
F = below 60% = below 348 points
Office Hours
I’ll be in my office (R230 M) from 10:30-11:20 on Mon/Wed. and 12:30-1:20 on Tues./Thurs. You’re welcome to drop in
and talk to me without an appointment during this time. If you can't come during one of my office hours, make an
appointment to see me at another time.
Special Needs
If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to
share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with
me as soon as possible. If you would like to inquire about how to receive support from DRC (Disability
Resource Center), you may call 425-564-2498 or go in person to the DRC reception area in the A Building.