ENG091 – Grammar and Paragraph Mastery

Credits: 3

Catalog Description: A series of English lessons designed to develop student mastery of basic grammar and paragraph writing: capitalization, sentence structure, word level skills, punctuation, and paragraph development and cohesion. Placement in this course is by special testing only. Computers may be used, but prior computer knowledge is not necessary. This class carries institutional credit but cannot be applied toward any degree or certificate program.

Lecture: 3 hrs.

Student Performance Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Plan, draft, and revise a number of paragraphs, becoming aware of the aims of written discourse, while viewing composition as a decision-making tool used in various communicative situations to influence a general or specific audience.
2. Write at least ten individual paragraphs to demonstrate increasing familiarity with the modes of discourse used to develop a main idea (topic sentence or thesis);
3. *Compose at least one 600-word essay of at least five paragraphs, employing at least one of the modes of discourse, while demonstrating mastery in using simple, compound, and complex sentences as well as methods of cohesion;
4. Write at least 50 simple and compound sentences to demonstrate mastery of conventions of sentence-writing strategies;
5. Write at least 50 sentences employing combinations of at least two kinds of punctuation, to demonstrate knowledge of punctuation and mechanics;
6. Complete at least three unit tests on sentence writing, with at least a 70% competency level;


* This course objective has been identified as a student learning outcome that must be formally accessed as part of the College's Comprehensive Assessment Plan. All faculty teaching this course must collect the required data (see Accessing Student Learning Outcomes form) and submit the required analysis and documentation at the conclusion of the semester to the Office of Assessment and Special Projects.


Content Outline:
I. Test of Written Language
A. Diagnostic testing
B. Development of individual writing plan

II. Word-Level skills
A. The Parts of Speech
B. Usage
1. Subject/verb agreement
2. Word Choice (Diction)

III. Sentence-Structure Strategies
A. Simple
B. Compound
C. Complex
D. Compound-Complex

IV. Paragraph Development
A. Unity
B. Coherence / Cohesion
C. Order / Organization
D. Adequate Support

V. Essay Development
A. Attention-getting Strategies
B. Unity
C. Coherence / Cohesion
D. Order / Organization
E. Adequate Support

VI. Punctuation and Mechanics


Grading: 1
In order to receive a grade of A, B, or C, a student must achieve a final competency level of 70% or higher. A final grade of F will be assigned for averages below 70%. The grade of "C" or better is required for placement in ENG100.

Effective Term: As of Spring 2007