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Welcome to COMM 171

This course focuses on the refinement of college-level reading and writing skills to enable students to complete their academic as well as professional tasks successfully and competently. The course emphasizes clear, correct writing based on the process of composing, revising, and editing. In addition, it includes a review of sentence structure, grammar, diction, and punctuation. The students will recognize and use a variety of structural and stylistic techniques, analyze audience, purpose, and tone and develop critical reading and thinking skills by analyzing and responding to assigned readings. All essays written in the course will be in response to assigned readings. This course is designed for second language learners and is taught by a T.E.S.L. (Teacher of English as a Second Language) certified professor.

Expectations
All students are expected to be respectful of all class members. We have a diverse array of cultures and identities. We will take this opportunity to learn from one another and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be Canadian. Part of developing greater listening skills is gaining the ability to truly listen to what people say who may look or sound different from you. Take advantage of the opportunities our diverse backgrounds bring to this class. In order to be successful in this course it is important that you attend class regularly and complete all assignments. Inform me of any foreseeable absence in advance. As the format for this course is designed to enhance your learning experience, it is important to work through the exercises collaborately. Classes will consist of mini-lectures, group practice activities and on-going evaluation. The schedule is organized to maximize learning through a process to product approach. Therefore, attending and participating in all classes is essential.
There will be no make-ups on assignments, quizzes or tests without documented evidence. Submit all assignments by the announced deadline. In case of late submission without a valid excuse, 10% will be deducted from the full mark for each day following the deadline (weekends and holidays excluded). It is important that you bring to each class the textbook, dictionary and an adequate supply of paper and writing utensils. Make sure cellular phones are turned off when you are in class. Also, please inform me of any special factors, such as learning disability, childcare arrangements and religious holidays.

Have a great semester!

Kerry Bigelow

Required text: Norton, S. & Green, B. (2013). Essay essentials. Toronto: Thomson Nelson (Custom Edition)
A Dictionary
Topical Outline

WEEK
TOPICS
HOMEWORK FROM TEXTBOOK
WEEKLY LEARNING OUTCOMES
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
COURSE EVALUATIONS
1.

Sept. 3-6
Labour Day
No Class

2. Sept. 9-13
Introduction to course

Ice-breaker

Diagnostic essay assessment

Homework to complete for Week 3:

“On the Job Training” (243)
Analyzing a 5 paragraph essay

“Ready, Willing…Employable (62)

Intended Audience
Exercise: 1.1 (16) Brainstorming
Exercise 3:1 (34)
Identify the components of the course
Demonstrate strengths and weaknesses in writing through diagnostic assignment Evaluate the importance of analytical reading
Identify structural patterns in writing in response to reading material
Explain the importance of summarizing and paraphrasing
Analyze the intended audience and level of language of reading material
Generate main and supporting points through pre-writing techniques
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises

Diagnostic Essay (0%)

3.

Sept. 16-20
Essay Essentials (EE)

Part 1
Planning: (7-47)
-Your audience and you (9)
- Managing main points (30)
-Introduction to paraphrasing

-Writing the thesis statement (48-58)
- preparing an outline (59-64)
Homework to complete for week 4:

Thesis Statements
Exercises: 4:1 (43), 4.3 (53)
“Getting Pancake Sauce from Trees” (293)
Reverse outline Exercise 5:1 (64)

Parallel Structure
Exercises: 7.5 (398) 7.5.4 (402)

Formulate effective thesis statements
Express own opinion of assigned readings using critical thinking skills
Integrate parallel structure into thesis statement development
Outline structural components in writing in response to reading material
Identify components of effective presentations using specified guidelines
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises

4.

Sept. 23-27
Part 2
Drafting (67-84)

Understanding paragraph form and function (67)

- topic sentences (71)
Homework to complete for week 5:

“How I Write” (285)

Effective Topic Sentences:
Exercise: 6.5 (75)

Reading for Test 1
“Labouring the Walmart Way” (317-319) EE
Create strong topic sentences
Integrate topic sentences and other structural components into acceptable paragraph form
Identify basic concepts of documentation
Demonstrate reading analysis and writing skills
Use effective editing skills to revise own writing
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises

5.

Sept. 30 -Oct. 4
Drafting

Writing Introductions and Conclusions (85) -getting/ holding reader’s att’n
- concluding paragraphs (92)

Homework to complete for week 6:

“Fleeing Facebook” (332)

Writing Attention Getters
Exercise: 7.2 (89)
Writing Conclusions Exercise: 7.4 (94)

In-class formula essay in response to “The Happiness Project.” (EE)
Evaluate techniques for gaining readers’ attention
Analyze components of strong concluding paragraphs
Develop persuasive introductory and concluding paragraphs
Use appropriate stress, tone, intonation & body language in oral presentations (continued in weeks 7-9)
Present on assigned readings/topics using specified guidelines (continued in weeks 7-9)
Use new vocabulary and expressions to correlate ideas in a presentation (continued in weeks 7-9)
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Reading/Writing Assessment #1 (10%)
Assign presentation assignment Part 1 (10%) and Part 2 (5%)

6.

Oct. 7-11
Drafting

Keeping Your Readers with You (97)
- unity
- coherence
- tone
Homework to complete for week 8:

Using transitions (104) Exercise: 8.3 (105)

Explain the importance of unity and coherence in essay writing
Use critical understanding of readings in own work
Apply the structure of the five-paragraph essay along with unity and coherence
Revise and edit personal essay writing in response to readings
Individual work, exercises
In-class formula essay (15%)
7.

Oct. 14-18

Thanksgiving
Holiday
No Class

8.

Oct.21-25
Drafting

Choosing the right words (111)

7 Deadly Sins of Writing (114-126)

Part 3
Revising:(131-142)
- re-writing checklist
- editing
- proofreading

Homework to complete for week 9:

“Little Red Riding Hood Revisited” (126)

Revising Sentences
Exercise: 9.1 (116)

Sexist or gender biased language
Exercise: 9.6 (122) “Enemy in the Mirror” (259)
Return essays: Quick Revision Guide

Fragments and Run-ons (377-388)
Fragments Exercise:7.2.6 (383)
Run-ons Exercise:7.3.3. (388)
Incorporate appropriate word choices into writing
Complete summarizing and paraphrasing in response to readings
Identify editing techniques
Revise and edit personal essay writing
Review and apply grammar rules that govern sentence structure
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Presentations

9.

Oct. 28- Nov. 1
Part 4
Research Paper (143-160)
-documenting sources (180)
-APA (200-217)

Homework to complete for week 10:

APA Handout Formatting an APA Research Paper (220-221)

Reading for Test TBA
Recognize research techniques
Identify basic concepts of documentation
Use APA Style to document quotations
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Presentations

Assign documented research essay
10.

Nov. 4-8
Part 5
Patterns of Development

Chapter 16 (234)
Process Analysis

Homework to complete for week 11:

Process Essays
“How to Play Winning Tennis” (236)

“Forging: The Black Art” (238)

Grammar Workshop: Mastering subject-verb agreement (409)
Classify patterns of development in writing in response to reading material – Process Analysis
Review and apply rules of subject verb agreement
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises

Reading/Writing Assessment #2 (10%)
11.

Nov. 11-15
Part 5
Patterns of Development cont’d

Chapter 18 (250)
Comparison and Contrast

Homework to complete for week 12:

Comparison and Contrast Essays

“The Canadian Climate” (252)
Questions for Discussion (253)

“Shopping Around” (253)
Questions for Discussion (254-255)

Grammar Workshop: using verbs effectively (419)

Classify patterns of development in writing in response to reading material – Comparison and Contrast
Use effective editing skills to revise own writing
Apply research techniques and critical understanding of readings in own work
Apply essay and sentence structure to own work
Review and apply rules of effective verb use
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Presentations

12.

Nov. 18-22
Part 5
Patterns of Development

Chapter 20
(250)
Argumentation

Homework to complete for week 13:

Argumentation Essays

“A City for Students” (272)
Questions for Discussion (273-274)

Workshop: comma, semicolon, colon, quotations
(452-475)

Classify patterns of development in writing in response to reading material – Argumentation
Review and apply rules of punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons, quotation marks)
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Documented Research Essay Due (20%)
13.
Nov. 25-29

Three Basic Strategies: Description, Narration and Example (225)
Homework to complete for week 14:

Descriptive Essay

“Looking Both Ways” (231)
Questions for Discussion (232)
Classify patterns of development in writing in response to reading material – Description, Narration, and Example
Demonstrate reading analysis and writing skills
Use effective editing skills to revise own writing
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Presentations
14.
Dec. 2-6
Review and Exam Preparation

Review patterns of development in writing
Consolidate, examine and discuss readings.
Teacher –led instructions, individual work, group work, class discussion, exercises
Presentations
Review
15.
Dec. 9-13
Final Exam

Apply all reading, writing and documenting skills in creating a final essay
Teacher-led instructions, group work, discussion
Final exam (30%)
This schedule is tentative and may change at the discretion of your professor.

Evaluation

Due Date (Week)
Evaluation Title
Weight / 100
2
Diagnostic Writing Assessment
0%
5 Reading/Writing Assessment #1
10%
6
In-class Formula Essay
15%
8,9,11,13,14
Presentation Assignment
15%
10
Reading/Writing Assessment #2
10%
12
Documented Research Essay
20%
15
Exam
30%
Total
100%

Important Dates to Remember:

Friday, Sept. 6 Deadline to submit English and General Education transfer credits Tuesday, Sept. 17 Deadline to withdraw and qualify for a partial refund

Monday, Oct.14 Thanksgiving

Friday, Nov. 8 Last day to withdraw without academic penalty

Dec. 9-13 Final Exams