This course is designed specifically to teach the students how to communicate clearly, think critically, and express their ideas and thoughts in expository and argumentative paragraphs and essays. Throughout the semester, the class will be refining sentence skills and grammar. Also, the students will practice writing simple and multiple paragraphs, as well as unified essays. All of the class assignments will require college level concepts, vocabulary, and learning skills. In addition to the classroom instruction, students in this class are required to participate in online instruction and assignments.
Expository paragraph writing emphasizing various methods including argumentation. Practice in refining sentence skills and grammar.
16 additional hours in Writing
Center required.Unit(s): 3
Class Hours: 64 Lecture, 16 Laboratory total.
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in English N60 or qualifying profile from English placement process.
The learning objectives for the Introduction to Composition course are adapted from the SAC English 061 Student Learning Outcomes and are as follows:
Communication Skills
A. Reading and Writing
1. Use the writing process with a focus on prewriting, planning, drafting, and revision strategies, which lead to a final product that is organized, formatted
correctly, and substantive in content with correct grammar and mechanics.
2. Summarize and paraphrase effectively.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and competency of various rhetorical and logical principles related to development of significant expository content in intelligently
organized essays, paragraphs, and sentences.
4. Read critically.
B. Listening and Speaking
1. Utilize interactive listening strategies for note-taking and appropriate questioning.
2. Determine purpose and goals for listening.
3. Use speaking as a tool for idea generation and utilize prior knowledge through small group and large group discussion.
4. Summarize and paraphrase effectively.
Thinking and Reasoning
A. Creative Thinking
1. Use narrative and descriptive skills in composing paragraphs and essays, including incorporating metaphors, similes, images, and other appropriate poetic
devices.
2. Generate ideas using prewriting strategies.
B. Critical Thinking
1. Write expository/argumentative paragraphs and essays that are supported by evidence and logically organized using deductive and inductive reasoning.
2. Synthesize information to produce a paper incorporating research, using documentation and MLA format.
Information Management
A. Introduce primary and secondary sources, including Internet sources.
B. Use library's on-line catalog and resources.
C. Demonstrate awareness of breadth of sources.
D. Use sources ethically.
Diversity
A. Cultural -- Read, understand and appreciate literary and expository works from diverse historical and cultural backgrounds.
B. Social -- Read, understand, and appreciate literary and expository works from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Civic Responsibility
A. Ethical
1. Discuss moral dilemmas that are present in the readings.
2. Examine both historical and contemporary societal issues that are present in the readings.
Life Skills
1. Appreciate aesthetics of literary works.
2. Meet deadlines.
3. Develop tolerance for diverse opinions.
4. Develop confidence in writing and speaking.