Course Information

Course Description

Basic Reading / Composition teaches the requisite skills for subsequent English classes: sentence structure, punctuation, paragraph development, and composition. It also involves intensively reading non-fictional as well as fictional materials, critically discussing each text, noting key points, and diligently writing expository essays in various modes.

Students will also write to express their opinions and feelings of various pieces of art and music. From the start, students will become well acquainted with the English language and discover firsthand why clear communication relies on well-informed grammar and composition. Many students will make insightful analogies between life and language, and many, no doubt, will gain a greater appreciation for understatement, nuance, and the power of the written word.

Ultimately, this study of writing and language, this exercise in seeing, will bring into focus for students more of what heretofore has gone unseen, and provide them with the critical eye and hand they need to not only succeed in college, business, and life, but be ever thoughtfully, happily engaged.

..Syllabus

English 801JB	Basic Reading/ Composition
John Smith	Office: 17-300
T-Th 6:30-8:45pm	Office Hrs: T-Th 6-6:30pm
Bldg/Rm, 16-300	Ph: 650 306-3333

Introductory Notes

(copy/paste "sylltext.doc" file and indent it--try using the tab key or spacebar)

In this class you're expected to:

(make the following a bulleted list)

closely read/reread/study a number of essays and works of fiction.

write 6 formal essays (min. 2 pgs. each), typed, double-spaced, on one side of non-erasable typing paper, with one inch margins on all sides, staple only.

actively participate in class discussions by carefully listening to others' opinions and expressing your thoughts as clearly as possible.

complete all homework and in-class assignments.

keep a writer's journal (10 one-sided pages) on topics you choose.

share your work with your peers in writing groups; read your work in class.

hand in all work on time or receive less or no credit. (Note: Late essays accepted one class day late only, and lowered a full grade.)

ask for the phone numbers of 2 people you can call if you miss assignments

have time to ask your particular questions in class and discuss your work with me during office hours.

utilize pen, pencil, college-ruled paper, pocketed 3-ring binder.

closely follow attendance policy, arriving no later than 6:30; 2 lates equals 1 day's absence; 4 days absent and you have to go far away. If you work and can't get here by 6:30, you can't take this class. Sorry, no exceptions.

use the writing/thinking skills you learn here to excel in all future endeavors.

.

Materials

Required Texts:

Process and Practice 4th ed.(Allyn & Bacon)

Models for Writers 6th ed.(Rosa and Eschholz)

The Least You Should Know About English (Kate)

Resources

Check out my Useful Links page (link to "links.html")

Grading Information

Your semester grade will be based on: (make the following a numbered list)