Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

73851737Academic Writing 3/4

Course Information

Description

Academic Writing 3/4 review standard English grammar, sentence structure, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling skills. The course also focuses on the Writing Process: pre-writing, organizing, writing, proofreading/revising, and submitting final drafts. Students are expected to create paragraphs and essays.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Create written documents

Assessment Strategies

by writing a 200-word paragraph and a five-paragraph essay.

by accessing resources from the library, Internet, interviews, and other sources.

in simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

you follow the steps in the writing process: pre-writing, organizing, writing, proofreading, revising, and submitting final drafts.

you select necessary information.

you write narrative descriptions on familiar topics.

you elaborate on supporting details.

you organize information.

you write in a style characterized by a suitable vocabulary, an appropriate voice, a variety of sentence structures, clear coordination and subordination of ideas, transitional words, and sentence variety.

you write documents that contain a consistent point of view (first person, second person, third person).

you write documents that are organized as comparison/contrast, cause/effect, process, narrative, or description.

6.12. you write documents that are unified and coherent.

6.13. you write a final document which meets the standard per the rubric.

6.14. you produce a final draft on a computer using word processing software.
Compose complete sentences

Assessment Strategies

by writing sentences.

in paragraphs and essays.

through self and peer evaluation of written work.

n simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

4.2. you use correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.

you revise sentence errors to eliminate run-ons and fragments with 90% mastery.

you write sentences using varied structure appropriate to the audience.

you use word choice appropriate to the audience.

you write sentences with 70% accuracy in final drafts.

you use sentence variety including simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

you vary sentence beginnings by using prepositional phrases, dependent clauses, and transition words.

you follow standard editing procedures.

you write in parallel form.
Use correct grammar

Assessment Strategies

in writing and editing written samples (paragraphs & essays).

in simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

you use nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives, pronouns (including relative pronouns), conjunctions, interjections and prepositions correctly.

you correct grammatical errors in written material with 70% accuracy.

you correctly use dependent clauses.

accurately and effectively use the form and function of words, phrases, and clauses, including inter-related clauses in complex sentences.

you use correct tenses to indicate the relative order and relationship of events.

you employ principles of agreement, including subject-verb, pronoun-noun, and objective pronouns with prepositions.

you differentiate between subject/nominative and objective case.

you use possessives appropriately.

you use appositives correctly.
Apply rules of mechanics

Assessment Strategies

in writing and editing written samples (paragraphs & essays).

with and without specified reference material

in simulated life and work situations

Criteria

you access reference materials as needed.

you use quotations marks.

you use apostrophes for possession.

you use commas with phrases or clauses in a series and with sentence interrupters and appositives.

you use correct capitalization rules at minimum 70% accuracy.

you punctuate compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences correctly, including appropriate use of dialogue, apostrophes, citations, semi-colons and colons.

you correct mechanical errors in written materials with 70% accuracy.
Apply spelling rules and exceptions

Assessment Strategies

in written performance.

with and without reference material.

in simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

you apply spelling rules and exceptions at minimum of 70% accuracy.

you use homonyms and homographs according to meaning

you spell level-appropriate words

you verify spelling using technical and print resources.

you spell words with 70% accuracy in final drafts
Use resource material

Assessment Strategies

in the completion of a writing and/or speaking assignment.

by accessing resources from the library, Internet, interviews and other sources.

in simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

you select appropriate resources needed to complete a task.

you accurately quote and cite information.

you paraphrase information from resource material without plagiarizing.

you apply information from resources to a problem or task.

you search for information using technology.

you summarize information from a resource in your own words without plagiarizing.

you use multiple resources to support your ideas.

you evaluate resources and information for accuracy and credibility.
Apply active listening skills

Assessment Strategies

in a role-play response to a scenario simulating a life or work situation.

Criteria

you demonstrate active listening skills.

you respond appropriately to a variety of messages.

you paraphrase a verbal and written message.

you use nonverbal cues.

you interpret verbal and non-verbal messages as they were intended.

you correctly perform tasks from oral directions.

you summarize messages.

you identify techniques for listening to, reviewing, and organizing a spoken message.

you attend to both literal and inferred meanings.

you distinguish between relevant and irrelevant material.

you distinguish fact from opinion.

you analyze messages for their accuracy and usefulness.

you interpret speakers' cues.

you apply strategies for listening in various situations.

you clarify ambiguous messages.
Use interpersonal skills

Assessment Strategies

in a role-play response to a scenario simulating a life or work situation.

Criteria

you relate personal beliefs and feelings without invoking defensiveness in others.

you demonstrate respect for cultural differences.

you demonstrate respect for the opinions of others.

you use feedback techniques.

you assess your personal communication style.

you assess actions and reactions of others.

you use conflict management skills.

you share humor.

you give and accept constructive criticism.

you use non-verbal communication effectively.

you employ active listening skills.

you extend a discussion by adding relevant information and asking pertinent questions.

you thoughtfully consider the ideas and opinions of other speakers before responding.

you detect a speaker's bias.
Communicate ideas orally

Assessment Strategies

through formal and informal oral presentation.

in simulated life and work situations.

Criteria

you speak in a clear, concise manner, avoiding distracting interruptions.

you share brief, impromptu remarks pertaining to topics of interest.

you invite ideas and opinions of others into the discussion.

you respond clearly and tactfully to questions.

you participate in discussion without dominating.

you adapt volume, rate, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary to the needs of the audience.

you express the content of message in an organized pattern.

you demonstrate body language, eye contact, and use of personal space appropriate to audience and environment.

you communicate effectively as a presenter and participant.

you deliver a speech for a selected audience.

you participate effectively in question-and-answer sessions following presentations.

you summarize information accurately and logically in presentations, using appropriate technological aids.

you demonstrate confidence and poise during presentations, interacting effectively with the audience.

you credit sources.

you observe appropriate etiquette when expressing thanks and receiving praise.
Participate as a team/group member

Assessment Strategies

in a group project simulating life and work situations.

Criteria

you follow established ground rules.

you adhere to group process.

you demonstrate respect for the diversity of group members.

you assess strengths and weaknesses of self and others.

you demonstrate the ability to compromise to reach consensus.

you serve in various roles within a group.

you use problem-solving techniques.