WCC+E51TR

=Woodland Community College=

English 51: Tuesday/Thursday 3:30-5:20 pm
English 51 – Preparatory Composition and Reading

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English 51 is a class that focuses on improving reading skills and writing pre-college level essays; includes basic writing elements, rhetorical modes, and a review of sentence structure and mechanics. Concurrent enrollment in Reading 70 is recommended.=====

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 * IMPORTANT NOTE:** This class is a Woodland Community College class. This means that we will be meeting according to the college schedule, not Woodland High’s. Please see the calendar at the back of this syllabus for details on dates for Spring Break and other holidays. WCC’s Spring Break **IS NOT** the same as Woodland High. Please let me know as soon as possible if this is going to cause a conflict.=====

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This is a skills building course, and reading and writing will be at the center of the course. We will write several large assignments for this class, and do frequent in-class writing, along with homework and other small assignments. =====

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The larger papers will be graded individually, but also turned in as a portfolio, a collection of all of your work throughout the semester, at the end of the semester to evaluate overall progress. The portfolio details are located on page 6. Each paper will be written in several drafts and will be peer reviewed, and we will take time during the semester to have at least one, one-on-one conversation about your writing. =====

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Roen, Duane, Gregory R. Glau, and Barry M. Maid. //The McGraw-Hill Guide: Writing for College, Writing for Life.// 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print =====

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__Respect __: The main policy is to respect each other. All the writing in this class will be shared with your peers. You are welcome to your opinion, as are your classmates, and while we may disagree, it is important to separate your argument over ideas from the individual you disagree with. Attack the argument, not the person. =====

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__Cell Phones, etc __.: Respect your peers and yourself by turning off all pagers, cell phones, wireless devices, iPods, etc. when entering the classroom.. Devices used in class will be confiscated until the end of the class period. You may use a laptop or tablet device for taking notes =====

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__Absent/Late Policy __: Attendance is mandatory. I grade on participation – if you are not present, you cannot participate. You get three absences, no questions asked. After your third absence, you face the possibility of being dropped from the class, or receiving a failing grade. =====

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I will take attendance at the beginning of each class session. If you arrive late, please see me after class so I can mark you as being in class. Please make your best effort to arrive on time. If you must enter late, please come in as quietly as possible. Three tardies are equivalent to one absence. =====

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__Participation: __I understand that some people are reluctant to participate in class discussions. The participation element of this course includes class discussion, but also in class writing and turning in homework. Participation also means being awake and attentive during class. =====

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 The workshop accounts for a different portion of the grade for this class. Please be prepared with drafts on your workshop days. If you do not bring a draft on a workshop day, you will be asked to leave and marked absent. If you are absent on a workshop day, your final grade will be lowered accordingly (1/6 of 10%). =====

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Part of your class participation grade is being prepared to discuss the reading in class. This includes bringing all texts to class, every day. If you do not have your texts for more than two class sessions, your grade will be lowered. =====

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__Academic Honesty __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">: Plagiarism is the use of distinctive ideas or works belonging to another person without providing adequate acknowledgement of that person's contribution. Plagiarism is a serious offense. Please see Section 7 of the Yuba Community College District Code of Conduct ([|http://www.yccd.edu/conduct.html#7]). Essays containing plagiarism will result in lowered grades and will be reported to the appropriate authorities. =====

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__<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Late Papers: __<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. A paper turned in late will lose 1/3 grade for each day over-due (A- becomes B+). If you are going to miss class, I expect you to make arrangements to see that your paper is turned in by a classmate, or left in my box before class starts. =====

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 * <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Technology failures are not an excuse for a late or missing paper **<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">. Back up your files to a floppy or flash drive, or keep alternate copies on your hard drive. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Each essay should be submitted in Times New Roman<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">, <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Arial <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">, or Courier New <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;"> 12 pt. font, double spaced, with 1 inch margins all around. Name, class, and date go in the upper left hand corner. Each page after the 1st should be numbered in the upper right hand corner with your name (see handout). Each essay should have a title. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Each of the six essays will receive a "pencil grade" from me when they are turned in. If you choose not to revise any essays, this is the grade that will be recorded at the end of the term. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">You may, at any time, revise any of the essays for a higher grade, and turn them in with your portfolio The first draft of each paper will be work-shopped with your peer response group. Please bring 3 copies of your first draft on workshop days (see the course schedule). I will read the third draft and return it to you the next class meeting with feedback. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework will be evaluated on the number of assignments completed and the quality of assignments, and will be due the class period they are assigned (see schedule). Where possible, homework should be typed, however, handwritten homework is acceptable. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Homework assignments may not be announced in class each day. It is your responsibility to refer to the class schedule and syllabus for the assignments and due dates. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">In class writing will be collected, and will only be evaluated on whether or not it was turned in. However, you should hold on to all your assignments, both in and out of class to place in your portfolio if you wish. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">My office hours are there for you to use. Please don't hesitate to see me. I'm also available by email. You may also want to get the contact information from a few of your peers. They are a great resource to get course information if you miss class, or to put together additional peer review groups. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Your portfolio is your chance to show me that you have come to realize something about yourself as a writer through this course. You will assemble each of the four essays completed, along with any relevant homework, pre-writing, in class writing, or other work that helps support your portfolio and cover letter. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">For the final project for this class, we will be putting together a statement of reflection as a cover page(s) for the portfolio. This statement will be a self-evaluation to review your progress as a writer over the course of the semester. If you do not turn in a statement of reflection with your portfolio, you cannot pass this project, which may seriously impair your ability to pass this class. =====

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<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif;">Below you will find a rough calendar for the semester, including vacations, etc. Tuesdays we will focus on writing and grammar and mechanics; on Thursdays, our focus will be on reading, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. =====

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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">revision strategy: story-boards <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Quiz: Comma usage || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG: ch 3-4 (reading journal and vocab). ||
 * **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Date ** || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In Class ** || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homework for next meeting ** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 1/17 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">class introductions, brainstorming, paragraph structure || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: Chapter 2 (pg 15-32) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 1/19 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">intro to critical thinking, critical reading, reading like a writer || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Guide: Chapter 3 (pg 33-45), pages 55-61 and answer questions at the end of the essay on page 61, ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 1/24 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Review: brainstorming, pre-writing. Mechanics: Uses of the comma. Getting started with essay 1. || //<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Hunger Games //<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(HG) ch 1-2 (complete reading journal and vocabulary handout), Guide: Chapter 15 (479-484) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 1/26 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Reading discussion and activities || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: pgs 62-65 (answer questions at end of 64). 1st draft of essay 1 (3 copies) ||
 * **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Date ** || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In Class ** || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homework for next meeting ** ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 1/31  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">workshop: essay 1
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 2/2  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Reading discussion and critical thinking. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Guide: pgs 83-89, Complete Essay 1. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 2/7  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Grammar: Review of parts of speech. Intro Essay 2. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG: Ch 5-6 (reading journal and vocab). ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 2/9  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Group presentation (1-6). Vocab Quiz. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: pgs 132-133, 141-146 (answer questions on pg 146). 1st draft of essay 2 (3 copies) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 2/14  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">workshop: essay 2. Grammar quiz. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG ch 7-8 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 2/16  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Reading discussion, vocabulary, critical thinking || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: pg 154-156 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 2/21  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grammar. Intro to essay 3 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 9-10 (reading journal and vocab). ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 2/23  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">MIDTERM || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 180-181, 189-194. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 2/28  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">workshop: essay 3. Revision strategies: reverse outlining. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 11-12 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 3/1  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Group Presentation (7-12). Vocab quiz. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 195-197. Finish essay 3. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 3/6  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Intro essay 4. Strategies for argument. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 13-14 (reading journal and vocab). ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 3/8  ||   || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 222-223, 229-236, ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 3/13  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">workshop: essay 4 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 15-16 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 3/15  ||   || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 240-242 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 3/20  ||   || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 17-18 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 3/22  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Group Presentation (13-18). Vocab quiz. || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 407-412 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 3/27  || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">No Class - WCC Spring Break ** ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 3/29  || **<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">No Class - WCC Spring Break ** ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 4/3  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Intro Essay 5 (Hunger Games). Using and Supporting Quotes || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 19-24 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 4/5  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Group Presentation (19-23). Vocab Quiz ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 4/10  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Workshop: essay 5. Revision strategy: hotspotting || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HG 25-27 (reading journal and vocab) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 4/12  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Group Presentation (24-27). Vocab Quiz. ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 4/17  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Intro Essay 6 || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 358-359, 366-374) ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 4/19  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> MIDTERM || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Guide: 375-377 ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 4/24  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Individual Presentations ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 4/26  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Individual Presentations ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 5/1  || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Workshop: essay 6. Introduction of Final Portfolio Assignment ||   ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 5/3  ||   || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Final Draft Essay 6. ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Tues 5/8  ||   || <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Portfolio ||
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thurs 5/10  ||   ||   ||

=Overview of Essay Assignments=

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 1: Writing to Share Experiences (chapter 4). This essay will focus on constructing a narrative, that is, telling a story. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 2: Writing to Inform (chapter 6). This essay will focus on a core concept of college writing, that is, pulling together information from various sources and relate them to each other. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 3: Writing to Analyze (chapter 7). An analysis essay is very common in college courses, and we will be exploring how to put together an essay that will help you better understand and explain concepts through analysis. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 4: Writing to Convince (chapter 8). Especially in upper level classes you will be asked to write an essay in which you take a particular stance and have to defend it. This essay will explore the techniques of writing an essay to convince a reader of your point and main idea. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 5: //Hunger Games//. I will be assigning a 2-4 page essay on the class novel, in which I will expect you to draw from the techniques developed in the previous essays, to discuss the themes and ideas presented in the novel. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Essay 6: Writing to Solve Problems (chapter 11). Through this paper we will explore the concepts of cause and effect as well as problem and solution to see how to put together a more complex essay that contains multiple ideas, in terms presenting both a problem and solution. <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Final Portfolio/Reflection Letter: see the above section on the final portfolio project.