Beginner Writing

Summer 2011 (June 7th-August 1st)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 pm

Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz

Office: Room 1118
Office Hours: M, T, W, TH, 1:30-5:30 pm and by appointment
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://suzannesclassroom.com/moodle

Required Textbook

From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays by Keith S. Folse, Elena Vestri Solomon, and David
Clabeaux

Course Description and Objectives

Above all, this course will attempt to improve students’ English writing ability, increase their
vocabulary, and improve their grammar and their editing skills. Throughout the course, a variety
of methods will be used to expand the students’ English writing skills. Although this course
remains primarily a writing course, there will also be a focus on listening, reading, and general
communication at times. There will be in-class writing, as well as homework assignments, to
help you develop your writing.

This course will cover several main areas in writing:

• The Writing Process – In this area, the basic process of writing is explained and some
tips are given to develop basic writing skills. The basic writing process covers the stages
of writing (brainstorming, writing a draft, editing, and revision).
• Words – This area concentrates on choosing the best word for the sentence. As words
and phrases are the basis of any piece of writing, choosing the correct word or phrase is
extremely important to improve one’s writing skills.

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 • Sentences – Sentences are the next basic building block of writing and this section looks
at correct sentences, powerful sentences, clear and lively sentences, and balanced
sentences. Error detection and correction techniques are given, as well as some pointers
on how to write naturally in English.
• Paragraphs – This area logically follows sentence building as the next step in the
process of writing. The basic paragraph format is given and some specific styles are
studied. Coherence, development, and unity are studied so that students can write
effective paragraphs, not just wordy paragraphs.
• Basic Essay – The basic essay is the final part of the beginner writing course. This
section looks specifically at the basic five paragraph essay structure and builds on
paragraphs.

In order to progress to the Intermediate Writing class, you must be able to complete two
assignments:
1. Final paragraph-due halfway in the term
2. Final essay-due the last day of class

Course Requirements
1) Attend classes
 You must attend class regularly.
 Except emergencies or valid excuses, you must attend 70% of the classes to pass.
 You must come to class on time.
 If you know you will miss a class because of an emergency and/or illness, business
trip, or an unexpected change in plans, you must notify me by e-mail before class. It
is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class and to complete missing
assignments.

2) Be on time
 You are expected to show up to class on time. As I am in class and ready to teach on
time, I expect you to be in the classroom ready to learn on time.
 Unless you tell me before hand that you will be late for class, anybody who does not
show up to class 15 minutes after class begins will be considered absent.
 3 times you are late= 1 absence
 If no one shows up to class in the first 20 minutes of class, class will be automatically
cancelled.

3) Be prepared
 You must attend class regularly and complete all assignments, including postings to
class website.
 Bring all the things you need for the class: textbook, pens, pencils, dictionary, notebook,
homework, questions, etc.
 Turn off your cell phones (including vibrator tone) before coming to class and cell
phones must not visibly be seen (no text messaging in class).

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  If you must accept a cell phone call in class, please step outside of the classroom, so
you will not disturb the class.

4) Participate
 You must actively participate in class and be cooperative and supportive of your
classmates, as well as be respectful to me.
 Everybody can participate and enjoy themselves during this course. If you do not
participate, then you cannot improve. The best way to learn English is to participate.
Share your ideas and beliefs, have an opinion, agree and disagree.
 Ask questions if you don’t understand something or need repetition. There are NO dumb
questions!
 In other words, just participate!

4) Language
Use English. The use of Korean in class will not help you improve your English abilities, so
using and speaking Korean is highly discouraged during class.

TENTATIVE DAILY SCHEDULE

Week/Date Topic
Week 1
Day 1 Introductions/ Writing Prompt/Class syllabus

Week 2 What is a paragraph?

Day 2 Writing topic sentences, supporting sentences, and
Day 3 concluding sentences
Week 3 Five Elements of Good Writing/Introduction to
Day 4 the Writing Process (In class paragraph
Day 5 assignment)
Introduce Paragraph Assignment
Week 4 Types of Paragraphs
Day 6 (Description Paragraphs, Compare-Contrast
Paragraphs, Cause-Effect Paragraphs, Classification
Paragraphs)

Bring rough draft of paragraph assignment to

Day 7 class for peer editing and review

Week 5
Day 8 More practice with types of paragraphs

Day 9 Paragraph Assignment due; Introduce Essay

Assignment
Week 6 Moving from Paragraph to Essay; Essay
Day 10 Organization
Day 11
Week 7 Comparison-Contrast Essays

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Day 12
Day 13
Week 8
Day 14 Bring in rough draft of essay assignment for peer
Day 15 revision and review; Cause-Effect Essays

Last Class-Essay Assignment Due

Day 16