Fundamentals of Composition

Course Description
This class will teach you to write clear, concise, coherent, and grammatically correct paragraphs and short essays. We will review grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Our goals are to improve our ability to think logically and to learn to express our logical thoughts in clear, effective prose. We will learn to write clear, vivid, and compelling topic sentences and thesis statements.

Contacting the Instructor
You may leave written or phone messages for me with the secretaries at the Department of English (941-2377). It is important that you bring all problems directly related to this class to my attention, before you turn to other college personnel.

Required Materials
1. the textbook--John Langan's English Skills with Readings, 3rd. ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995)
2. standard school supplies--notebook, pencil, eraser, pen, folder for your papers, paperclips
3. a dictionary--preferably two, a hardback (unabridged) for home use and a small (abridged) paperback you can take to class
4. typing or computer supplies (you can use the school's typewriters or computers) but will need to provide either typing paper or a disk

Attendance
It is difficult to pick up a book and learn from it without any guidance. For a class that meets once a week, it is particularly costly to miss a class. Because of our once-a-week schedule, you need to attend all classes for you to get your work back with my comments on it to improve your next assignment. If you miss over a quarter of our total class time (4 classes), you will fail the class. If you miss three classes and convince me it was for a valid reason and that you can make up the missed material, you may remain in the class. No students may be added to class after August 25th.

Drop Policy
If, early in the quarter, you decide you cannot finish the class, please notify me and registration of your decision to drop the class. If you do not properly file for a "drop" or "withdraw" by November 16th, you may receive an F on your college record. After November 16th, you cannot get a "W" for the class.

Class Policy
If you are delayed for any reason and arrive late for class, please enter quietly and sit down. Bring to every class your text book, your homework, lined paper, a pencil, an eraser, a pen, a few paperclips, and a folder containing your syllabi, handouts, and assignments for the class. It would also be helpful to bring a dictionary, a computer disk, and a notebook for taking notes.

Grading Policy

Class Participation 10%
Exercises and Quizzes 10%
Description Paragraphs (250 words) 5%
Definition Paragraphs (250 words) 10%
Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs (250 words) 10%
Process Analysis Paragraphs (300 words) 10%
Division and Classification Paragraphs (300 words) 10%
Argument Essay (500 words) 10%
Grammar Test 10%
Final Exam 15%

Academic Honesty
The English Department policy on plagiarism will be enforced. This policy is as follows: "Plagiarism, an unlawful act which is defined as the misrepresentation of the published ideas or words of another as one's own, will not be tolerated in Chaffey College English courses. At the discretion of the professor, plagiarism will be punishable by either an F for the assignment or an F in the course" (School of Arts and Humanities, Some Guidelines For Part-Time English Instructors 2).

Non-Discrimination Policy
The Chaffey College non-discrimination policy will be enforced. No discrimination on the basis of "race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation" is permitted, (Chaffey College Catalog 1994 95) 25).
How to Get Help
Reach out for help if you feel overwhelmed. Ask other students in your class if you can meet to talk about assignments or writing skills. Talk to me about your situation. The school also provides many forms of assistance, including Physically Limited Student Services (941-2380), the Counseling Center (941-2116), the Transfer and Career Center (East Campus Center), and the Job Placement Center (941-2339). The Campus Police also have many helpful brochures available on issues such as preventing rape, dealing with battering, and earthquake procedures.

Late or Missed Assignment Policy
In order to improve your writing, you need to see the grade and comments of your previous work before starting a new assignment. To do this, you must turn in your work on time. If you turn in work late, you will not be able to get it returned to you before the next assignment is due. To discourage this situation and any student getting hopelessly behind, I will only accept late work at the class after the work was due. If you talk to me before the due date of an assignment, we can arrange an extension that may or may not go beyond one week. If you have not made such an arrangement with me and do not turn in the assignment on the date it is due or the following class period, I will give you an F for the assignment. No penalty will be given to work turned in one week late because the lateness itself will affect adversely your ability to improve your next assignment grade.

Class Schedule
For each class that a Paragraph Development section, Sentence Skill section, or Reading is listed, consult the table of contents in your textbook, find the section, read the entire section. For each Paragraph Development section, read the section and answer the questions following it (you do not have to do the writing assignments). For each Sentence Skill section, do all exercises and the review test. For each reading, answer all of the reading comprehension questions. Be prepared to tear out the pages of your book or turn in your comprehension questions for a grade. Do not wait to do these exercises and questions until the last minute!

8/19 Introduction, Paper Format, Plagiarism

8/26 Description Paragraphs Due on in-class topic or any topic in text pp. 184-9 (250 words); "Subjects and Verbs," "Pronoun Types"

9/2 Discussion of "The Tryout"; "Sentence Fragments"; "Defining a Term"

9/9 Definition Paragraphs Due (250 words); "Comparing or Contrasting"; Discussion of "Old Before Her Time"; "Run- Ons"

9/16 Discussion of "Steel Magnolias"; "Standard English Verbs"

9/23 Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs Due (250 words); "Explaining a Process"; Discussion of "Will You Go Out With Me?"; "Irregular Verbs"

9/30 Discussion of "How to Think Clearly"; "Subject-Verb Agreement"

10/7 Process Analysis Paragraphs Due (300 words); "Dividing and Classifying"; "Apostrophe"

10/14 Discussion of "Power Learning"; Consistent Verb Tense

10/21 Division and Classification Paragraphs Due (300 words);

"Arguing a Position"; Discussion of "People Need People"; "Pronoun Agreement, Reference, and Point of View"

11/4 Argument Essay Due (500 words); Grammar Workshop

11/11 No Class, School Holiday

11/18 Grammar Test

11/25 No Class, School Holiday

12/2 Prep for Final Exam

12/16 Final Exam, 9am to 11:30am