Interboro Institute

Course Number: En 098

Course Name: Developmental Writing

Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on placement examination

 

I.      Course Description:

      En 098 is a developmental writing course which provides a foundation for effective   

      writing through emphasis on process and product.  Instruction is given in grammar,    

      punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, thesis statement and three-paragraph essay

      construction.  Vocabulary building is also stressed.

 

II.    Goals and Objectives:

 

     Through individual and group instruction, the course is designed:

 

1.     To introduce students to Standard English usage in formal writing.

2.     To teach students basic Standard English grammar, focusing on parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, possessives,

sentence construction—i.e. avoiding fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.

3.     To acquaint students with fundamental punctuation rules: coordination and subordination.

4.     To teach students to formulate coherent three-paragraph essays, both informative and argumentative.

5.     To teach students the importance of the writing stages: pre-writing (brainstorming), writing, and revision.

6.     To teach students several common strategies for opening, developing and closing essays.

7.     To teach students an appreciation of the writing process as well as the hallmarks of an acceptable writing product.

8.     To encourage vocabulary development.

 

III. Course Requirements:  

 

A.    Successful completion of the following:

             1.  Place-out final: students must take and pass the EN 098 Final Exam in  order  to move into EN 101.

             2.  Five out of nine drills during the course of the semester (a prerequisite for taking the final place-out exam).

3. Grammar quizzes.

4. In-class weekly writing assignments.

5. Good attendance and active class participation.

6. Homework/class work assignments

7. 2 hours of outside study for each hour spent in class

 

B.    Examinations

             A score of 4 on a scale of 1 through 6 of the Evaluation Scale for Judging

             Writing Samples implemented at Interboro Institute.  A score of 4 is the   

             minimum score required to pass.

 

C.   Attendance

            It is expected that students will attend every session.  Three or more

            absences may well prevent students from getting important instruction

            and writing practice necessary for passing the final exam.

 

      D.  Class Participation

            Students are expected to come to class adequately prepared and to participate

            in all class activities.  This involves being up to date on all assignments.

            Students are responsible for getting class assignments when they are absent.

 

            In addition, students are expected to be on time and to maintain an attitude of

            respect toward their instructor and their fellow students.

 

      E.  Class Examinations 

1. In-class essays

a.     Number: at least 9

b.     Time: 60 minutes

 

2. Final

                 a. Developmental Examination

                     1. One three-paragraph essay

                     2.  Time: 60 minutes

                 b. Students who do not take the final examination will receive

                     “R” for a grade and must retake the course.
                 c.

                     Students who receive an may take a tutorial through the

                     Academic Resource Center (ARC) and re-take the 098 final

                     during semester break on the announced date.

 

         F.  Assignments

                 Three-paragraph essays (Introduction: 3-5 sentences; Body: 8-10

                 sentences; Conclusion: 3 sentences)

 

IV. Grading Values:

A.    A three-paragraph essay with a score of 4, 5, or 6 = Pass (S)

B.    A three-paragraph essay with a score of 1, 2, or 3 = Repeat (R)

 

      Text:

 

     Richey, Anne.  Write-O! Targeting Specific Developmental Writing Issues. New York: Houghton-Mifflin, 2005.

 

  

     Course Content:

 

     Weekly Schedule (subject to revision)

    

Week 1   Diagnostic Essay

 

               Writing Essays/Overview (ch. 1)

 

               Brainstorming  (ch. 2)

               Workouts 1, 2 and/or 3

 

Week 2  The 8 Parts of Speech (ch. 7)

              Note: Emphasis on noun, pronoun, verb, conjunction, & preposition.

              Workout 1   

 

               The 8 Parts of Speech Defined

               Workouts 2 & 3

 

               Re proper nouns: Refer students to Quick Capitalization Guide

 

               Note to Students on Standard English (p. 78)

 

               The 8 Parts of Speech (cont)

               Workout 4

 

                Challenge III A & III B (Home vs. Standard English: plurality)

 

Week 3    Thesis Statements (argumentative vs. informative) (ch. 3)

                Workouts 1-2           ; Workout 3

 

                Thesis Statements: Fact vs. Opinion

                Workout 4

               

                Sample Essay (preview of 3- Paragraph essay)

 

Week 4    The Introduction, Body and Conclusion (ch. 4)

                Workouts 1-7

 

                Essay Organization: Workout 6

 

Week 5    Identifying Subjects and Verbs (ch. 8)

                Workout 1 (Sets 1-5)

 

                Information and Argument

                Essay Model A: Informative Essay with Examples

                Model A: Analysis

 

                On revision

 

                Essay Practice: Informative Essay w/Examples

                          (Remember: your thesis simply promises information.)

 

                Using Examples Effectively

 

Week 6    Five “Twists” on Subjects and Verbs (ch. 3)

                Workout 2 (Sets 1-5)

                Extra Practice: Workout 3

 

                Essay Model B: Argumentative Essay w/Examples

                Model B: Analysis

                Using Examples Effectively

 

               Essay Practice: Argumentative Essay/Examples

                         (Remember: your thesis must express and opinion.)

 

Week 7  Brief Review: What Is a Sentence?  (ch. 10)                       

              Fragments

              Workouts 1-5

 

               Essay Model G: Argumentative Essay Using Reasons

               Workout 4 &5

 

               Essay  Practice: Argumentative Essay Using Reasons

 

Week 8  Comma Splices and Run-ons (ch. 10)

              Workouts 6, 7 & 8

               Reps I and/or II

               Essay Practice (eighth week Departmental Essay)

 

 

Week 9  Subject-Verb Agreement (Home vs. Standard English) (ch. 9)

              Workouts 11-13

 

              Some Special Subject-Verb Agreement Rules

              Workouts 15-18

              Go for the Burn

 

Week 10 Essay Model C: Informative Essay Using Examples to Compare

               Model C: Analysis

 

              Essay Model D: Informative Essay Using Examples to Contrast

              Model D: Analysis

 

              Transitions Used in Comparison & Contrast: Workout 2

 

              Essay Practice: Informative Essay Using Examples to Compare

                                       OR Contrast (practice using transition words)

 

Week 11  Past Tense: Regular Verbs  111 (ch. 9)

                Workout 1-3  (Home vs. Standard English)  112-15

 

                Essay Model F: Argumentative Essay Using Narrative as an Example  51

                Model F: Analysis top 52

 

               Essay Practice:  Argumentative Essay Using Narrative as an Example

 

Week 12 Past Tense: Irregular Verb    (ch. 9)

               Workouts 4, 5, 6 & 7   120-23

 

               On Coherence (Review of transitions used in Model Essays)  62

               Workout 8   63-64

 

Week 13 Apostrophe Rules 1-3  (ch. 11)

               Workouts 1-3   161-63

 

               Apostrophe Rule 3: Some Special Tips  164-65

               Workouts 4-8  165-60

 

               Essay Model H: Argumentative Essay Using Four Types of Development  61

               Model H: Analysis  62

 

               Essay Practice: Write an argumentative essay using a mix of development

               strategies.  Choose from the 50 Topics  221-24

 

 

Week 14 Review essay writing principles

               Concentrated Essay Practice: Choose from 50 topics 221-24

 

Week 15 Placeout Exam