Course Descriptions
Academic Writing 2 (AWT1002)
Course Description
Academic Writing 1002 (AWT 1002) is a 75-contact-hour course. It reviews paragraph writing and focuses on the essay, using five rhetorical patterns: classification, process, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and argumentation. AWT 1002 continuously reinforces accurate use of language mechanics and adequate style. AWT 1002 teaches writing as a process, using a communicative and a learner-centered approach in an academic environment.
To enroll in AWT 1002, students need to either successfully complete AWT 1001 or score at least 5-6/09 in the Language Center Writing Placement Test (WPT).
Course Objectives
AWT 1002 aims at preparing students for freshman composition (English 1301). AWT 1002 also reinforces the grammar and the reading skills taught in other courses at the Language Center. In accordance with the LC mission statement, AWT 1002 exposes students to culturally diverse and authentic material, enhances critical thinking, and uses up-to-date technology.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
By the end of the course, studentswill be able to
- use prewriting strategies as a first step to producing a clear and well-organized essay outline.
- write a focused and clear thesis statement.
- write an introduction, using an effective hook.
- develop a thesis statement in several unified and coherent body paragraphs.
- write conclusions which summarize ideas and leave an impact on the reader.
- write essays, using five rhetorical patterns (classification, process, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and argumentation)
- produce a variety of sentence types, using an academic style.
- use appropriate grammar in writing.
- demonstrate logical transitions
- self-edit their writing and peer-edit their classmates’ writing.
Evaluation
Academic Writing 1002 is a non-credit pass/fail course. It is a prerequisite for enrolling in beginning composition. The pass/fail grade is determined by the following criteria:
- Mid-term exam: 20%
- Mid-term portfolio: 20% (paragraph 5%; essay I, 5%; essay II, 10%)
- Final exam: 20%
- Final portfolio: 30% (Essay III, 10%; Essay IV, 10%; Essay V, 10%)
- Teacher evaluation: 10%
Exams:
The mid-term and final exams will take place during the scheduled exam periods and will cover the course material.
Portfolio:
A portfolio is a collection of the student’s writing assignments and is worth 50% of the semester grade. The portfolio is intended to reinforce writing as a process. Students will be asked to complete writing assignments utilizing various stages of the writing process. Each student will revise 6 assignments during the semester- 3 before the midterm and 3 before the final. These revised assignments will be graded and will make up most of the portfolio grade. Students are expected to keep all work from each stage of the writing process in their portfolios in order to demonstrate growth over time and over drafts.
Writing Assignments:
Students will complete at least 6 writing assignments before the midterm. Of these 6 assignments, 3 will be selected for revision and will count for most of the midterm portfolio grade. After the midterm, students will complete at least 6 writing assignments. Of these, 3 will be selected for revision and will represent most of the final portfolio grade. Assignments must be completed on time, and failure to complete will reflect poorly on the portfolio grades.
Grading: teachers will have to consider the average of the two best grades of a minimum of three drafts.
Course Materials
- Writing Academic English (4th Ed.),
- Great Essays (2nd Ed.),
- and supplementary materials
|
