The sensory aspects of the courses would be beneficial to any child; the information that is shared is priceless.
— Jean, WA
Move beyond grammar and learn to craft strong prose. This course examines the structures of sentences, paragraphs, essays and stories. The lessons provide many opportunities for you to practice effective writing.
Prerequisite: English Diagnostic Test or English Skills. Handwritten and audio recorded assignments are not accepted.
Course: ENG-111, Media: B, C or LP, Lessons: 24
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Course DetailsCourse ID: ENG-111
Audience: Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs
Course Description
Good writing skills are essential for school, work, and everyday life. This course examines the principles of English composition, such as the structure of sentences and paragraphs. Moreover, it gives students the opportunity to write essays, letters, reports, and stories. The goal of this course is to enable students to improve their writing skills.
Media
The course is available in braille and large print as well as on audiocassette.
Organization
English Composition is divided into 7 units, with a total of 24 chapters.
Credit
1 Carnegie Unit
Prerequisites
To enroll in this class, the student needs one of the following prerequisites:
Overview
Students submit 24 assignments to the instructor.
Grading
letter grades
Supplementary Course Materials
none
Content and Objectives
Unit 1: Writing Sentences
After completing Lesson 1: What Is a Sentence?, the student will be able to
a. explain what makes a group of words a complete sentence
b. identify the subject and the predicate as the two main parts of a sentence
c. write and punctuate a complete sentence
After completing Lesson 2: Sentence Fragments and Run-ons, the student will be able to
a. identify sentence fragments
b. correct sentence fragments
c. identify run-on sentences
d. correct run-on sentences
e. write complete sentences that begin with capital letters, end with punctuation marks, and express complete thoughts
After completing Lesson 3: Writing Different Kinds of Sentences, the student will be able to
a. identify and write a simple sentence
b. identify compound subjects and predicates
c. identify and write a compound sentence
d. identify and write a complex sentence
e. write a variety of sentence types and sentence lengths
After completing Lesson 4: Writing Better Sentences, the student will be able to
a. add detail to sentences by using adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases
b. describe images and ideas clearly by using specific words
c. choose interesting words
After completing Lesson 5: Choosing the Correct Words, the student will be able to
a. identify the subject of a sentence as either singular or plural
b. write verbs that agree in number with their subjects
c. write pronouns to replace some nouns
d. write pronouns that agree with their antecedents in gender and number
Unit 2: Writing Paragraphs
After completing Lesson 6: What Is a Paragraph?, the student will be able to
a. identify sentences about one idea that belong together in a paragraph
b. identify the topic sentence within a paragraph
c. identify the supporting details within the body of a paragraph
d. identify the concluding sentence within a paragraph
After completing Lesson 7: Writing Good Paragraphs, the student will be able to
a. write clear topic sentences for paragraphs
b. write paragraphs that contain three parts: topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence
c. use different types of support for topics, such as facts, figures, examples, details, and description
d. put supporting details in logical order
After completing Lesson 8: Writing Better Paragraphs, the student will be able to
a. write topic sentences that make the reader want to read the rest of the paragraph
b. write topic sentences that are clear and focused
c. write sentences in the body of the paragraph that support the topic sentence
d. use transitional words to show the connection between sentences
Unit 3: Paragraphs With a Purpose
After completing Lesson 9: Writing to Explain, Inform, or Tell a Story, the student will be able to
a. write an explanatory paragraph
b. write an informative paragraph
c. write a narrative paragraph
After completing Lesson 10: Writing to Persuade, the student will be able to
a. write a persuasive paragraph
b. write specific reasons, facts, and figures
c. identify facts and opinions
d. use qualifying words and phrases
After completing Lesson 11: Writing to Describe, the student will be able to
a. write a descriptive paragraph with specific details to create a picture for the reader
b. write descriptions that appeal to all the senses
c. write character descriptions that include physical appearance and personality
d. identify and write similes and metaphors
After completing Lesson 12: Writing to Compare, the student will be able to
a. write a paragraph of comparison
b. use transitional words within that paragraph
c. identify similarities and differences in a paragraph of comparison
Unit 4: Writing an Essay
After completing Lesson 13: What Is an Essay?, the student will be able to
a. identify an essay as a group of paragraphs dealing with one idea
b. identify the three basic parts of an essay: introduction, body, and conclusion
c. tell what a thesis statement is
d. identify a thesis statement in context
After completing Lesson 14: Writing Your Own Essay, the student will be able to
a. write a list of possible essay topics
b. write a simple outline for an essay
c. write a short essay from the outline
After completing Lesson 15: Writing Better Essays, the student will be able to
a. revise a draft of an essay
b. edit a draft of an essay
c. identify past and present verb tenses
d. identify transitional words that link paragraphs
e. write a final copy of an essay
Unit 5: Practical Writing
After completing Lesson 16: Writing Letters, the student will be able to
a. write a friendly letter
b. write a formal business letter
c. properly address an envelope
After completing Lesson 17: Writing to Get a Job, the student will be able to
a. write a letter of application
b. write a résumé
c. fill out a job application
After completing Lesson 18: Everyday Writing, the student will be able to
a. write a thank-you note
b. write get-well wishes and express sympathy in notes
c. write an invitation
d. write complete, clear messages
e. write effective bulletin board ads and classified ads
Unit 6: Writing in School
After completing Lesson 19: Writing a Book Report, the student will be able to
a. write a book report
b. describe the setting of a novel
c. describe a main character
d. identify the conflict in a story and explain how it is resolved
e. write his or her opinion of a novel and support it with examples
After completing Lesson 20, Writing Answers on Tests, the student will be able to
a. write answers to questions in complete sentences
b. begin answers by restating the subject of the question
c. write essay answers in well-developed paragraphs
d. read essay questions carefully and answer the specific question that is asked
After completing Lesson 21, Writing a Report, the student will be able to
a. identify good report topics
b. identify the card catalog and other reference books
c. use index cards for selective note taking
d. organize notes and write an outline for a report
e. identify the introduction, the body, and the conclusion of a report
f. write a bibliography
Unit 7: Imaginative Writing
After completing Lesson 22: Creating Characters, the student will be able to
a. write character descriptions based on real people
b. write character descriptions that appeal to all the senses
c. write about characters who are interesting
d. write effective dialogue
e. write correctly punctuated dialogue
After completing Lesson 23: Writing a Story, the student will be able to
a. identify character as a story element
b. identify setting as a story element
c. identify plot as a story element
d. identify mood as a story element
e. show an understanding of resolution of conflict
After completing Lesson 24: Writing Poetry, the student will be able to
a. identify devices of alliteration and onomatopoeia
b. write a cinquain
c. write a haiku
d. write concrete words and poems
