Composition Syllabus ~ Fall 2014
Ms. Karolus
262-789-6354 (please leave a message)
sandra.karolus@nbexcellence.org (preferred)
http://classjump.com/K/Karolus
Course Description
This course satisfies one-half of the required full-year English credit for seniors. This course is writing
intensive. Students will write a variety of discourses – primarily expository and persuasive – throughout the
semester. Students will write for a specific purpose, to a specific audience, and with an awareness of their own
voice as the author. Students will learn and practice APA style research culminating in an expansive research
paper that is correctly written, formatted, cited, and presented. In addition to the writing, students will study
vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. Logical, organized thinking, and communicating will be
emphasized through this course.
Composition Learning Targets
Narrative Writing:
 Write narratives to develop real experiences using effective technique, well-chosen details, and wellstructured event sequences.
Writing Process:
 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
Expository Writing:
 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts and information
clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization and analysis of content.
Argument Writing:
 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning
and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Grammar & Vocabulary:
 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make
effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or
speaking.
 Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for
reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level.
Research Writing:
 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a problem;
broaden or narrow the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on a topic, demonstrating
understanding of the topic under investigation.
 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media in order to make
informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and
noting any discrepancies among the data.
 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced
searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose,
and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding
plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.
 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such
that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
Tentative Course/Unit Outline
Quarter 1
Narrative Writing: College Application or Business Essay – 9/12
Expository Writing:
Example – 9/18
Compare/Contrast – 10/1
Cause/Effect – 10/10
Business Writing:
Complaint Letter – 9/24
Proposal Letter – 10/3
Professional Email – 10/16
Quarter 2
Argument & Persuasion:
Persuasive Essay – 11/3
APA Style Persuasive Research Methods and Writing:
Research Paper – 12/15
Research Presentations – 12/15 – 12/23
Application Writing: Scholarship Essay – 1/16
Grammar Assessment – 1/22
In-Class Essay (Growth as a Writer) – 1/23
* Grammar and Greek/Latin Root Vocabulary will be taught and quizzed throughout the semester.
* Occasional Papers (OPs) will be completed and shared throughout the semester (see last page of packet)
Textbook/Resource materials:
Latin and Greek Roots: A Study of Word Families
The Bedford Reader
Write for College
Suggested Materials and Supplies:
Binder and looseleaf paper or notebook
Pencil, and blue or black pens
Three different colored highlighters
Flashdrive
Assignment notebook
Expectations
- All work is expected on time, and your life will be much easier if you keep a planner and meet your
deadlines.
- I expect all papers to be submitted to me electronically on turnitin.com. Some papers may only be
collected in paper form, however.
- Push yourselves. Undertaking a challenge is always worth the effort required!
- Be kind to yourself and support one another. Always remember that you will make mistakes as you
learn new material. That’s OK. You will learn and grow from those mistakes.
Late Work Policy
If you do not have your homework assignment when it is due, you will be required to create a plan with Ms.
Karolus to complete in a timely manner.
All papers and projects MUST be completed on time. Papers turned in on time qualify to receive all points back
on a rewrite. If you are absent the day a paper or project is due, it must still be in my possession by the end of
the school day. If a paper or project is not turned in on time, the student will only be able to earn half of their
points back on a rewrite.
Grading
You will be evaluated throughout the year on your progress towards mastering the learning targets identified
for this course. You will have many opportunities to practice skills as you work towards mastery. You will
receive regular, meaningful feedback on the assignments you do, feedback that should help you grow as a
student.
To make your life and my life easier, please include the following information as a heading in the upper right
hand corner for all assignments:
First and Last Name
Date
Class Hour
Assignment Name
Grading (tentatively) will be broken down as follows:
Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
Quarter One – 45%
Quarter Two – 55%
Students and parents should check Infinite Campus regularly for grade updates and contact me with any
questions or concerns.
Grading Scale:
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
Group work: Students will be asked to participate in a variety of small group discussions and activities
throughout the year. Most of the time, group work will not be assigned a grade. If group work will be graded,
students will be allowed to select their own work partners and there will be individual points assigned to
elements of the group work. In other words, students will be responsible for their own performance within the
group activity and will receive an individual grade.
Absences: Students are responsible for seeing Ms. Karolus as soon as possible before or after an absence in
order to make arrangements to make up any missing work or catch up on class content you missed while you
were away.
This class will follow all School District of New Berlin guidelines regarding the following:
grading scale, late work, absences/tardiness, and extra credit.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is academic dishonesty and is not acceptable in any form whether it’s verbatim copying an essay
from a web site or “borrowing” a friend’s homework and copying the answers onto a worksheet. Please review
the school handbook for the definition, examples, and consequences for plagiarism.
I am always available to help you, to conference with you, and to answer questions. I’m available
either in room 245 or the English Office before and after school as well as during ELO and hours 1 and 5.
Please make an appointment prior to coming to see me in case I have a meeting or there are other students who
need assistance.
Paper Rewrite Policy: I encourage all students to rewrite their papers to not only achieve a higher grade, but
more importantly, to firmly grasp the concepts taught with each paper. However, any student who does not
turn in all of the rough drafts/peer-editing activities, etc. for a paper and/or does not turn it in on time will only
be able to earn half of their points back for a rewrite.
Steps for Completing a Redo for a Written Assignment:
1. Make changes to your assignment using the suggestions provided by Ms. Karolus on your assignment.
2. Have an adult aside from Ms. Karolus revise your updated assignment.
*You must get a signature on your assignment from whomever looks it over.
3. Make additional suggested changes.
4. Print out a new final copy of your assignment, and highlight all changes you made (from both edits).
5. Turn in the original assignment with the rubric, all of your drafts, and your final (highlighted) copy.
*A redo written assignment will not be accepted unless ALL of the above steps are completed by the redo
due date.
*There are no retakes for any quizzes.
Ms. Karolus’s Schedule
Hour
1
2
¾
5
6
7
8
ELO/Advisory
Class
Prep
English 8 Honors
English 8 Honors
Prep
12th Literature and Composition
12th Literature and Composition
12th Literature and Composition
ELO T, Th, F ; Advisory W
Time
7:30-8:30
8:35-9:35
9:40-10:42
10:45-11:31
11:35-12:21
12:56-1:41
1:45-2:30
2:30-3:00