Class Description

The main purpose of this class is to prepare students for writing in college. In order to do this an in depth study of writing will be required throughout the semester. The process of writing will be stressed: researching, drafting, peer revision, editing and how to use writing workshops. Along with the writing will also be grammar proficiency and the reading of several books, a collection of essays and a play. 

 

Class Expectations

Goals

*To read a variety of essays, outlining what defines a good essay.

*To read a variety of books, stressing the writing skills of the author.

*To give students a passion and respect for God's gift of language, while showing them the power of the written word.

*To give students good habits for the writing process.

*To help the students be proficient in grammar and show how it is tied to writing.

*To show students how writing can be used as a career through guests who write for a living.

Daily Work Load

* Students will be expected to complete the reading assignments on time and participate in class discussions.

*Students will be expected to complete the writing assignments on time.

Assessment

1.  Since one of the main goals is to improve writing, all formal writing assignments will be graded not only on content but also on grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.  Six papers will be written throughout the semester.  In addition to the final draft, each paper will go through several revisions, which also will be a part of the grade.  All of the final papers, with drafts included, will be kept in a writing portfolio. The teacher or group of peers will critique each draft written through a writing workshop style.

2.  The students will be expected to complete all of the reading assignments on time and therefore should participate in class discussion.  Reading quizzes or worksheets may be given over the reading material.

3.  Tests over the reading material read will consist mostly in writing.  Writing good essay answers will be worked through this area. 

4.  The exam for this course will be the students rewriting an essay that they were assigned on the first day of class.

Writing

 

The Writing Process

* prewriting

* drafting/revising-conferencing/writing workshop

* editing/proofreading-conferencing/writing workshop

* publishing

The Six Traits of Effective Style

* stimulating ideas

* logical organization

* engaging voice

* original word choice

* effective sentence style

* correct, accurate copy

Also looked at:

*How to include data, analogy, story in the essay.

*How to find good sources and dig for answers.

*Writing with sources.

*Writing good test essay answers.

*Outlining essays of others.

*How to be a good peer reader/editor.

*Writing good thesis/topic sentences.

* Dealing with usage/mechanic issues in writing.

 

Reading:

We will read a variety of novels and also a play and some poems. Some of the papers written will be in response to the reading.

Novels:                            Romey’s Place

                                         No Strange Fire

                                         Staggerford

Memoir:                            Night

Play:                                  The Taming of the Shrew

Essays:                             Exploring Ethics

Grammar:               You will need to prove yourself proficient in grammar by getting at lease an 80% on a final grammar test.

The Grammar

 

A quick overview of  4 areas of grammar will be taught.  Reviewed will be: Part of Speech, Parts of a Sentence, Phrases and Clauses.  These areas will be tested on (what I hope) will be a computer program that I will write (and someone else will design!). My goal is that each student will pass the accumulative test at a certain percentage in order to say that they are proficient in grammar. 

My goal is that grammar will be taught side by side with writing.  When I notice repeatable errors occurring in writing, that will become a short grammar lesson throughout the semester. 

 

Guest Speakers

 

My goal is to have 4 writers visit the classroom that represent a variety of jobs.  These writers will talk to the students about the importance of writing, the variety of things one can do with writing and also lead the students in some writing activity. 

 

 

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