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Syllabus for English 408 |
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Catalog Description: |
Reading and analysis of expository prose types, along with frequent compositions based on these forms, and review of traditional grammar. Required for teacher certification in English. Alternate years. |
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Course Goals: |
The chief course goal is for the student to become proficient in the use of various methods for organizing and developing expository prose. The rhetorical methods to be studied include the following: description and illustration in the personal essay, comparison and contrast, classification, causal analysis, definition, and argument. The expectation of the course is that students with average to above average writing skills will learn to improve their ability to do the following: create a thesis, develop it with supporting evidence, organize the argument clearly, and polish style by avoiding errors in usage as well as by employing appropriate diction, sentence structure, and paragraph coherence. To achieve the desired goals, emphasis in study will be placed on the students' own writing, as well a review of the most common errors in grammar and the analysis of professional and student essays. |
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Grading: |
Grades will be based on class attendance, participation, and study questions (20%), three grammar tests (30%), and four essays (50%). |
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Grading Scale: |
A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F=50 |
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Jan. 30 |
Introduction to the Course |
Feb. 1 |
TPR: Ch. 1 Description, pp. 31-50, 71-81 |
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TPR: Ch. 2 Narration, pp. 91-103, 115-124, 131-140 |
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Feb. 4 |
TPR: Ch. 3 Example, pp. 141-157, 166-179 |
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Feb. 6 |
Essay #1 Rough Draft, (Personal Experience, Details and Examples) |
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Feb. 8 |
Essay #1 Due |
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Feb. 11 |
PEH: Ch. 5-7, pp. 109-122 |
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Feb. 13 |
PEH: Ch. 8-10, pp. 123-132 |
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Feb. 15 |
PEH: Ch. 11-12, pp. 132-147 |
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Feb. 18 |
PEH: Ch. 12-13, pp. 148-158 |
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Feb. 20 |
PEH: Ch. 14, pp. 159-166 |
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Feb. 22 |
Grammar Test #1 |
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Feb. 25 |
TPR: Ch. 5 Division/Classification, pp. 245-280, 287-298 |
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Feb. 27 |
TPR: Ch. 6 Comparison/Contrast, pp. 299-317, 326-341, 352-353 |
Feb. 29 |
TPR: Ch. 6, pp. 357-382 |
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Mar. 3 |
Essay #2 Rough Draft, (Division and Classification or Comparison and Contrast) |
Mar. 5 |
Essay #2 Due |
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Mar. 7 |
PEH: Ch. 15-19, pp.167- 183 |
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Mar. 10 |
PEH: Ch. 20-23, pp. 183-201 |
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Mar. 12 |
PEH: Ch. 24, pp. 203-222 |
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Mar. 14 |
PEH: Ch. 25-27, pp. 222-237 |
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Mar. 17 |
PEH: Ch. 28-32, pp. 237-253 |
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Mar. 19 |
Grammar Test #2 |
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Spring Break |
Mar. 31
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TPR: Ch. 7,
pp. 354-384
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Apr. 2 |
TPR: Ch. 7, pp. 385-397 |
Apr. 4
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TPR: Ch. 8, pp. 398-428 |
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TPR: Ch. 8, pp. 428-445 |
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Apr. 7 |
Essay #3 Rough Draft (Causal Analysis) |
Apr. 9
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Essay #3 Due |
Apr. 11
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TPR: Ch. 9
Argument and Persuasion, pp. 446-461, 462-472, 473-478
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Apr. 14 |
TPR: Ch 9, pp. 479-494 |
Apr. 16
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TPR: Ch. 9, pp. 500-513, 524-544 |
Apr. 18 |
Handouts |
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Apr. 21 |
Essay #4 Rough Draft Due (Argument and Persuasion) |
Apr. 23
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Essay #4 Due |
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Apr. 25 |
PEH: Ch. 33-34, pp. 255-267 |
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Apr. 28 |
PEH: Ch. 35-37, pp. 268-280 |
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Apr. 30 |
PEH: Ch. 38-40, pp. 281-289 |
May 2May 5 & 7 |
Grammar Test #3Review |
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Policies |
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I. |
Attendance |
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A. Attendance and participation in class discussions are requirements of the course. If a student has a legitimate absence, he or she is still responsible for the material discussed in class and for written assignments missed. |
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B. Students will be limited to three unexcused absences. A student who misses six or more classes, whether the absences are excused or not, will be in danger of automatically failing the course or having his or her final grade reduced by at least one letter. |
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II. |
Written Homework |
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A. Buy a standard size, loose-leaf notebook and paper. Keep all written homework in this notebook. |
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B. For each written homework assignment, on the first page of paper, put your name in the upper left-hand corner. Put the date the assignment is turned in below the first date. Note: No written homework will be accepted after the due date unless you have a legitimate absence which has been excused by the dean and the instructor. At the center top of the page, identify the homework assignment as it appears on the syllabus. Below this information, write the answers to the questions specified on the syllabus. Be prepared to hand in homework at the beginning of the class period on the assigned day. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class. |
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III. |
Essays |
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A. Blue books will be provided for in-class essays. Put your name, the title of the course, and the date on the front of the blue book. Put the title of your essay on the first line of the first page and begin your first paragraph. Write on every other line and both sides of the page. Fold your outline (if you have been asked to bring one to class) and put it at the back of the book. |
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B. Late Essay: A student has one week beyond the due date to turn in a late essay. If the student's absence is not excused, his or her grade will be reduced by one letter. The number of extensions may be limited at the instructor's discretion. |
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C. All written assignments must be handed in for a student to pass the course. |
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IV. |
No incomplete will be given unless there is an extreme situation about which the student has consulted the instructor. |
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V. |
There must be no outside help in preparing an assignment. |