J-term college writing syllabus

College Writing Syllabus

Teacher Name: Ms. Amber Fontenot
Room Number: 332
E-mail Address: amber.fontenot@ocsi.org
Blog Address: http://ocsi-humanities.blogspot.com
School Phone Number: 958-3000
The best time for parents to call me is: from 1:10-4:00 PM

Number of Credits: ½ credit

Course Description: College Writing is an elective course designed to prepare students for performing at the college level in writing. Students will complete research projects, essays, and in-class presentations. The workload, grading, and course content are intensive and require that students spend ample time both in class and at home developing their writing skills.

Class Activities: The majority of class time will be spent writing: researching, responding to writing prompts, drafting, participating in peer review, and revising. Other activities will include online and library research, reading college-level articles, and grammar practice.

Course Objectives:
Write for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Comprehend a variety of reading materials by applying appropriate strategies.
Formulate strategies to locate, select, and evaluate research materials, including primary and secondary sources, library research, and online databases.
Synthesize information from primary and secondary sources for research.
Interpret and evaluate written material.
Employ the research process to support a thesis.
Apply conventions of standard English, appropriate diction, and proper tone in class discussions.
Produce formal oral presentations for a variety of purposes.
Revise and edit written drafts applying conventions of standard English.
Develop and practice strategies for timed test essays.

Grading:
Writing assignments 50%
Research assignments (2), essays, close reading and analysis.
Quizzes, in-class essays and presentations 30%
Timed essays, abstracts, presentation, grammar quizzes.
Daily assignments 10%
Informal in-class writing activities, homework
Class participation and notebook 10%
Participation includes on-task work during individual and group work time, peer reviews, and demonstrating engagement in class activities by asking and answering questions, commenting during class discussions, etc.


Materials you should bring to class every day:
- A notebook (B5) for in-class writing exercises
- Loose-leaf paper OR a second notebook for drafting
- A folder for handouts 
- Pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters
- Assigned textbook copy of College Writing: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
- Index cards, word cards, or sticky notes, if desired.
- Other materials, as requested by the teacher.

Expectations:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and be ready to learn and to write.
- Be in your seat and working when the bell rings; begin bellwork immediately at the beginning of class.
- Assignments are expected to be turned in on time; up to 10% or one letter grade will be deducted per day from writing assignments handed in late, at the teacher’s discretion.
- Maximize your use of class time by taking notes, participating in discussions, participating in peer review exercises, and by writing.
- Writing assignments must be submitted typed and in hardcopy. On some occasions, you may be asked to print multiple copies (up to 3-4) for the purpose of peer review.
Class Rules:
- Respect: Respect each other, your teacher, and all school rules.
- Expectations: Come with an open mind and a positive attitude; be ready to explore, create, and ask questions.
- Materials: Come to class prepared—you should have all necessary materials and assignments when the bell rings.

Class Schedule:
Week 1: career research
Week 2: test essays, application essays
Week 3: persuasive research
Week 4: close reading and analysis

Heading and format: All formal writing assignments with the exception of in-class essays should be typed and double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. Margins are one inch on every side. The heading in the upper right of every page is your last name and the page number (these go in the heading field in your word processor). In the upper left of the first page only (body field in your word processor) write the following information:

Your name
Instructor’s name
Class name
Date

The date should be written in the following format: 6 Jan. 2012

A final piece of advice: Choose topics that interest you! Whenever you have a choice of topic, this class will be as interesting or as boring as you make it.