This document provides information about an English 1A course including contact information for the instructor, goals of the course, requirements, grading policies, and other policies. The main goals of the course are to prepare students to analyze college texts, write college papers, and develop writing skills. Requirements include 5 formal papers, blog posts, tests, and participation. The grading is based on 1000 points from assignments like essays, tests, and activities. Policies cover submission of essays, academic dishonesty, attendance, conduct, workshops, quizzes, tests, late work, and adding/dropping the course.

1. 1
EWRT 1A: Green Sheet
Kim Palmore, PhD Cell Phone: 408-674-3005
Email: Palmorekim@fhda.edu Office: F1-11
Website:
Our class website is http://palmoreewrt1as.wordpress.com. In order to do the homework, you must establish an
account. To make your own FREE Word Press account, go to wordpress.com and click on the large, orange button
that says, “Get started here.” The system will walk you through a series of steps that will allow you to set up your
own user-friendly Word Press blog. If you don't want a blog, you can signup for just a username. You can also
register through Facebook. Make sure you sign in with YOUR Word Press username before you post on our class
page so you get credit for your work.
If you prefer not to use your own name, you may use a pseudonym. Please email me your username if it is
significantly different from your real name. If you cannot establish your website and username, please come to my
office hours as soon as possible, and I will help you with the process. Much of our work will take place online, so
establishing this connection is mandatory.
Goals:
English 1A is a transfer level course in reading and composition that prepares students to analyze college texts and
to write college papers. In particular, you should learn to
1. Read and analyze a wide variety of types of writing.
2. Examine texts that are rhetorically and culturally diverse.
3. Generate ideas and topics for essays.
4. Formulate and support theses.
5. Integrate and organize ideas.
6. Develop a personal style and voice appropriate to purpose and audience.
7. Practice writing as a multi-step process.
8. Compose essays with varying purposes, audiences, and rhetorical strategies.
Requirements:
1. Active participation in class discussions and regular attendance.
2. Keeping up-to-date on the assignments and reading.
3. Five formal papers, one of which will be written in class.
4. A series of posts to the class website = journal/ blog.
5. Multiple tests, quizzes, or in-class assignments.
Texts and Required Materials:
v Rise B. Axelrod and Charles R. Cooper, The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing 8th
Edition
v Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games.
Please bring the Saint Martin’s Guide (SMG) to every class meeting; bring The Hunger Games on the days we will discuss
it. Bring your laptop and draft copies on the days we write in class.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be assessed on their ability to
1) Write cogent, well-developed arguments that clearly articulate a thesis supported by textual evidence;
2) Read critically by summarizing, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating college-level texts;
3) Select, evaluate, interpret, and synthesize sources in the service of an argument;
4) Document sources (print, electronic, and other) in MLA style; and
5) Use effective strategies for pre-writing, composing, and revising of essays

2. 2
GRADING:
Grades for this course will be based on a 1000-point scale divided as follows:
Assignment My Score Point
Value
Assignment My
Score
Point
Value
Essay #1 (in-class) 2-3 pages 75 Website Posts 125
Essay #2 (out of class) 3-5 pages 125 Tests 5x25 125
Essay #3 (in-class) 3-5 pages 125 Participation/Quizzes/Activities/
writing workshops
150
Essay # 4 (out of class) 4-6 pages 175
Essay #5 Speech (3 pages) 5-6
minutes
100 Total 1000 points
I will assign traditional + and - grades
Grade Points Required Grade Points Required
A 900-1000 D 600-699
B 800-899 F 599 and below
C 700-799
CLASS POLICIES:
Essay Submission:
All out of class essays are to be submitted to me electronically at palmoreessaysubmission@gmail.com before the
class period in which they are due. They must be submitted as an attachment in Microsoft word. No other saved forms are
acceptable. If you do not have Microsoft word software available, leave yourself time to save and send your work from a
library computer. Essays must also be in MLA format. I will read and return essays in the order they are received, with
comments both in the text and in the margins.
Academic Dishonesty:
Plagiarism includes quoting or paraphrasing material without documentation and copying from other students or professionals.
Intentional plagiarism is a grave offense; the resulting response will be distasteful. Depending upon the severity, instances of
plagiarism may result in a failing grade for the paper or the course and possible administrative action. All assignments will be
scanned and scrutinized for academic dishonesty. Please refer to your handbook for more information regarding
plagiarism.
Attendance:
Attendance is a significant part of this course, and success in this course depends on regular attendance and active
participation. Participation points will be part of our daily activities. If you are not in class, you cannot earn these points.
You should save absences for emergencies.
It is your responsibility to talk to me your absences or other conflicts. Work done in class cannot be made up. If you must
be absent, please arrange with a classmate to get assignments and notes. Also, please arrive on time, as you will not be able
to make up work completed before you arrive, including quizzes.
Conduct, Courtesy, and Electronic Devices:
In this class, we will regularly engage in the discussion of topics that may stir passionate debates. Please speak freely and
candidly; however, while your thoughts and ideas are important to me and to the dynamics of the class, you must also
respect others and their opinions. Courtesy will allow each person to have the opportunity to express his or her ideas in a
comfortable environment.

3. 3
Courtesy includes but is not limited to politely listening to others when they contribute to class discussions or while they
give presentations, not slamming the classroom door or walking in front of classmates giving presentations if you do arrive
late, and maintaining a positive learning environment for your fellow classmates. To help maintain a positive learning
environment, please focus on the work assigned, turn off all cell phones and Ipods before class, and do not text-message in
class. If your behavior becomes disruptive to the learning environment of the class, you may be asked to leave and/or be
marked absent.
Participation:
Participation includes doing all work asked of you inside and outside of class, maintaining a positive learning environment
for your classmates, and contributing to class discussion. Participation points are accrued based on your in class
participation.
Workshops:
In this class, we will have workshops in conjunction with each take-home essay assignment. Please be prepared by bringing the
appropriate number of copies of your rough draft (see course outline) on workshop days. All drafts for out-of-class essays must be
typed and printed though using recycled paper is acceptable. If you come to class without the proper number of copies required for
that day’s lesson, I will excuse you from class to either make copies or work on your essay. You will not receive participation points
for the workshop.
Quizzes:
I may decide to include pop quizzes from time to time to ensure you are completing all readings in a timely fashion. There
are no make up opportunities for quizzes.
Tests:
We will have five vocabulary tests during the quarter. There are no make-ups. One day, near the end of the quarter, I will
offer every student the opportunity to take or re-take one test.
Late Work:
I do not accept late work. Please speak to me if you have a situation that requires a renegotiation of a due date.
Office Hours:
For the summer session, my office hours will be held in our classroom from 7:15-7:30, from 9:45-10:00, and from 12:00-
12:15. You can make an appointment using the appointment maker on the class webpage.
Adding and Dropping:
Adding and dropping this class is the responsibility of the student. Please observe all deadlines regarding the same should
you wish to add or drop this class.
Educational Use of Student Papers:
Occasionally, I retain copies of written work to share with this class or future sections of the course; selections of student
work used in these ways will be anonymous. However, if you absolutely object to the use of your work in these ways,
please let me know now, so that I can respect your preference.