Level III Writing (ESOL 0351)

English as a Second LanguageCentral College________________________________________
ESOL 0351– Level III Writing (Advanced-Intermediate Writing) CRN: - Fall     Central Campus – Room: JBW 201  Time: 12:30 – 2:453 hour lecture course and 2 Lab hour / 80 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Instructor: Aleksandar Nedelkovski  
Instructor Contact Information: [email protected] 
Office location and hours:  FAC 310   You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance.  Your performance in my class is very important to me.  I am available to hear your concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to come by my office anytime during these hours.
Course Description“A continuation of ESOL 0347.  This course concentrates on the development of writing skills using controlled composition and production of the five-paragraph essay.”
PrerequisitesA passing grade in ESOL 0347 or satisfactory score on the CELSA. 
Course GoalESOL 0351, Advanced Intermediate Composition, seeks to prepare students for continuation into ESOL 0354 and ultimately for college composition courses and academic writing in general by accomplishing the following objectives:
• Strengthening students' awareness of the basic notions of paragraph development, particularly the role of the topic sentence and the internal logical development of the paragraph.
• Introducing to students the basic principles of the multi-paragraph composition, focusing especially on the role of the introductory and concluding paragraphs, drafting an effective thesis statement, and organizing the composition according to a clear logical pattern.
• Improving students' sentence combination skills, especially in the area of the strategy and techniques of coordination within compound sentences and within simple complex sentences
• Increasing student awareness of the nature of the writing process, especially in the area of effective topic construction and in the necessity and techniques of revision and editing.
Student Learning OutcomesThe student will be able to:1.Use mechanical conventions of written English in written assignments.2. Review all verb forms and tenses that are likely to be encountered in writing a moderate-length written assignment suitable to the advanced-intermediate English learner.3. Produce an appropriate variety of sentence types in a moderate-length written assignment suitable to the advanced-intermediate English learner.Compose and revise a moderate-length composition of several paragraphs, using a clearly-defined writing process.
Learning objectives  Students will:1a. Use correct spelling of vocabulary used in the compositions;1b. Apply rules for capitalization of beginning of sentences, proper names and other proper nouns (e.g.  cities, countries, regions, holidays, etc.);1c. Apply punctuation rules, especially including end punctuation (periods, question marks, exclamation points), commas and semi-colons.
2a. Use a variety of simple, progressive, and perfect verb tenses, based on the context of the discourse, in written assignments;2b. Use gerunds and infinitives as appropriate to discourse context in written assignments.
3a. Produce compound sentences, using the seven coordinating conjunctions as wel as conjunctive adverb sentence connectors;3b. Produce complex sentences using a variety of subordinating conjunctions appropriate to the discourse context, and correct punctuation;3c. Produce complex sentences using well-formed adjective (relative) clauses;3d. Produce complex sentences using well-formed noun clauses.
4a. Use prewriting strategies to generate a topic to write about, along with supporting ideas;4b. Write a limited and clear thesis statement;4c. Organize a draft by preparing a well-formatted outline;4d. Write a draft of a multi-paragraph essay of 200-300 words, with a clear thesis in the introductory paragraph and a concluding paragraph;4e. Revise the composition after receiving both peer feedback and feedback from the instructor.
ESOL 0351 Course CalendarWeek 1: Course introduction  and writing sample Chapter 1: Getting Ready to Write p.2-20Week 2: Chapter 2: Writing Paragraph P.21-26 Chapter 2: Writing Paragraph P.27-34 Homework Paragraph #1 see p.40Week 3: Chapter 2: Writing Paragraph P.35-41 Chapter 3: Revising and Editing p. 42-49Week 4: In-class Test Paragraph #1 Chapter 3: Revising and Editing p.50-56 Chapter 3: Revising and Editing p.57-60 Chapter 4: Writing Essay p. 60-66 Homework Paragraph see p.72Week 5: Chapter 4: Writing Essay p.67-77 Chapter 5: Proceed Essay p.79-85In-class Essay #1Week 6: Chapter 5: Proceed Essay p.86-88 Homework Essay #2 see p.88 Chapter 7: Cause and Effects p.101-108Week 7: Chapter 7: Cause and Effects p.101-108 Chapter 7: Cause and Effects p.109-114 Homework Essay #3A see p.114Week 8: In-class Essay #2 Chapter 7: Cause and Effects p.109-114
Week 9: Chapter 8: Comparison/Contrast p.115-120 Chapter 8: Comparison/Contrast p.115-120 Week 10: Homework Essay #3B see p.128 Chapter 8: Comparison/Contrast p.121-128Week 11: In-class Essay #3 Chapter 9: Problem/Solution p.129-134Week 12: Chapter 9: Problem/Solution p.129-134 Chapter 9: Problem/Solution p.135-139 Homework Essay #4Week 13: Chapter 9: Problem/Solution p.135-139 In-class Essay #4Week 14: Chapter 11: Expressing Your Opinions p.152-157 Chapter 11: Expressing Your Opinions p.158-164 Homework: see p.164 Week 15: Chapter 11: Expressing Your Opinions p.158-164 ReviewWeek 16: Final Exam College Grading SystemStudents in ESOL classes may receive a letter grade of A, B, C, IP or F. IP means "in progress." This is not a failing grade, but it is given to students who complete the course but who are not yet ready for the next level. Anyone who receives an IP must take ESOL 0341 again. However, if a student has already received an IP in this course during a previous semester, that student will receive a letter grade: A, B, C, or F this semester.A= 90-100 B= 80-89 C= 70-79 IP/F= 0-59
*Basic Requirements for ESOL 0351Students in ESOL 0351 will write a minimum of 5 graded compositions in class. A maximum of one can be a graded single paragraph (75-100 words). The rest (or all) will be multi-paragraph essays (200-300 words), including the final examination.
At a minimum, the following rhetorical organizations are to be covered, including the final essay:• process• division and classification• comparison/contrast• causes and effects• problem/solutionStudents are required to revise and rewrite their in-class compositions (excluding the midterm and final compositions).  It is up to the teacher whether to use the original draft or rewrite as the basis for the grade of each composition, but teachers should offer sufficient incentive to encourage students to take the revision process seriously.
Students should also be required to do regular and frequent alternative freewriting activities which will be inspected regularly by teachers. This freewriting may take various forms, e.g. a journal, summaries, etc. How this freewriting is assessed will be up to the teacher, but teachers are generally not expected to correct and grade each entry.
ESOL 0351 Grading Formula*In-class compositions  (5) 50%Journals 10%Homework compositions 15%Final Exam 25% 100%**Weighting the in-class compositions so that each successive one carries a higher value is suggested. The weights generally assigned are as follows:
In-Class Composition #1    10%            In-Class Composition #2    12%    In-Class Composition #3    15%    In-Class Composition #4    18%    In-Class Composition #5    21%    In-Class Composition #6    24%                                                               Total:               100%

Instructional MaterialsTextbook: Ready to Write,3rd edition, Blanchard and RootPrinted instructional material
HCC Policy Statement – ADA:   Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability Services Office in Room 102 Learning Hub, or call (713) 718-6164 to make necessary arrangements at the beginning of each semester. Your instructor is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the office of Ability Support Services.
HCC Policy Statement:  Academic HonestyA student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The  instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.  “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
• Copying from another students’ test paper; • Using  materials not authorized by the person giving the test;• Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of a test that has not been administered;• Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered• Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statement: Class AttendanceClass Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best way to succeed in this class.  Research has shown that the single most important factor in student success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for materials covered during your absences.  Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive absences. 
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information.  As the information that is discussed in class is important for your career, students  may be dropped from a course after accumulating absences in excess of 12.5% hours (10 hours) of instruction (F-1 students should particularly take note of this so as not to affect your visa status). The ten hours of class time would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness (being late twice or, leaving early is counted as an absence). Remember:  Class attendance equals class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal PolicyIf you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from it prior to the final date of withdrawal (November 18th,2010).  Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the time to meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may be able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course.  Your success is very important.  Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.  
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early Alert process by which your professor can “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance.  It is your responsibility to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay in class and improve your academic performance.  
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact an HCC counselor or your professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript.  If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive an F or an IP (see below) as your final grade.  
College Grading System:Students who have completed ESOL 0352 and show that they are ready for the next level (ESOL 0355) with a final average of 70% or higher will receive a letter grade of A, B, or C. Students who are not ready for ESOL 0355 may receive a grade of IP. The IP grade is not a good or bad grade; however, it means "IN PROGRESS" and requires the student to take ESOL 0352 again because the student will benefit from another semester. However, if a student repeats ESOL 0352 after receiving one IP, a letter grade must be given (A, B,C, or F upon completing the course for the second time). 
Repeat Course FeeThe State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed classes.  To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are required to pay extra tuition.  The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to pass their courses and to graduate.  Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available. 
Use of Camera and/or Recording DevicesAs a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom.  To show respect of your fellow students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs.  Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations
Classroom PoliciesAs your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and maintain a positive learning environment for everyone.  Your instructor takes this responsibility very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for him/her to carry out this task.  As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal. 
To this end All cell phones, pagers, IPods, or any other electronic devices that may cause a distraction in class must be turned off. No laptops are permitted to be used during class. You may use an electronic dictionary (stand alone) with the sound turned off. You are not permitted to leave class to answer or return calls unless an absolute emergency; doing so will be counted as a tardy.  If  a student is using a cell phone at any time during the class period, I will remind the student about the policy once. After that, I will ask the student to leave class and mark him or her absent.  
Students are expected to arrive to class on time with ALL THEIR MATERIALS INCLUDING THE TEXT BOOKS. Returning late from a break or leaving class early counts as being tardy.  Being tardy twice will equal one absence (whether ten minutes or one hour). If you miss 10 hours of class, you can be dropped without notification and will, therefore, be out of compliance if you are an F-1 student.  If a student misses a class, it is his or her responsibility to see the instructor about the work that was missed. 
Course WorkThe course calendar lists all of the assignments that will be done. While doing all the homework and attending class is not a complete guarantee of success, it is certainly true that not doing it is a guarantee of failure. 
Make-up Policy: If you must be absent on the day of a test, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as possible by leaving a message for me at the number or e-mail address listed above.  Normally, a make- up exam is done on the day you return to class, but please note that any make-up exam is at the convenience of the teacher.  This may mean coming in on a Friday.