This document provides an overview of the schedule, assignments, and readings for an English composition course. It includes: 1) An outline of the weekly classes which will focus on different essay assignments, including outlining, drafting, and revising essays on various topics. 2) Homework assignments for each week, such as reading assignments from course texts, posting blog responses, completing essay drafts, and studying vocabulary. 3) Details of four major essay assignments - The Argument, The Narrative, The Concept, and The Problem/Solution essays. Students will learn skills for each type and complete multiple drafts.

1. Fall 2014 EWRT 1A T/Th 10:00-12:15 S72
Week 1 Class Work Homework
Essay 1 The Argument
Class 1
9/23
Introduction
Brainstorming Activity
Introduce essay #1
Outlining
Thesis
Topic Sentences
Counterargument
BUY: The Hunger Games (HG)
The Saint Martin's Guide to Writing (SMG).
Make: Your Word Press Website username
Post #1 Outline with thesis
Bring: A hard copy of your outline; pen; paper
Be prepared to take in-class essay test #1
Class 2
9/25
Lecture: Four Sentence Types
Discussion: review for essay #1
In-Class Writing: In Class Essay #1
Read: HG through chapter 2. SMG 16-38
Study: Vocab (chapters 1 and 2).
— Post #2: If your last name begins with the letter A-I,
answer the questions in the “Analyzing Writing
Strategies” section after the Dillard essay on pages 25-
26
— If your last name begins with the letter J-Q, answer the
questions in the “Analyzing Writing Strategies” section
after the Wolff essay on page 31-32
— If your last name begins with the letter R-Z, answer the
questions in the “Analyzing Writing Strategies” section
after the Bragg essay on page 36-37.
Bring: SMG
Week 2
Essay #2 The Narrative
Class 3 T
9/30
Teams 1
Presentation: Vocabulary chapters 1-2
Discussion: Readings 16-38
In class Reading: Basic Features (40-41)
Lecture: Formatting dialogue
In-Class Writing: Practicing dialogue
Read: HG through chapter 7. As you read, look for a
passage that reminds you of a personal experience.
Post #3: The dialogues from the in-class writing
Study: Vocab (Chapters 1-4).
Bring: HG and SMG
Class 4
10/02
Presentation: Vocabulary chapters 3-4
Discussion: The Hunger Games: Stories
Presentation: Essay #2
In-Class Writing: page 46 SMG
1. Beginning with a quotation/transitioning to
your remembered event.
2. Vivid presentation of a place: Using sensory
details: 643-648
3. Describe a person central to your event.
Include a physical description and gestures or
behaviors.
4. Writing Dialogue.
5. Framing: beginnings and endings
• Read: HG through chapter 9.
• Post #4: finish and post your in-class writing
• 1. Beginning with a quotation/transitioning to your
remembered event.
2. Vivid presentation of a place: Using sensory
details: 643-648
3. Describe a person central to your event. Include
a physical description and gestures or behaviors.
4. Writing Dialogue.
5. Framing: beginnings and endings
• Bring: HG and SMG; draft of your writing

2. Week 3 Class Work Homework
Class 5
10/07
Vocabulary Test: (Chapters 1-4)
The Hunger Games: Themes and Concepts
Discussion: Wolff: “Analyzing Writing
Strategies” #3: p31: Sentence length.
Reflecting on the Event's Significance pp. 48-
49
In-Class Writing
Focus on the climax of your event.
Recalling Your Remembered Feelings and
Thoughts
Exploring Your Present Perspective
Formulating a Tentative Thesis Statement
Read: HG through chapter 12.
SMG p 37 “Commentary: Autobiographical
Significance,” and 625-633.
Post #5: Post your draft: Long quote; transition; thesis;
intro to event, description of place(s), description of
people, a dialogue or two, the climax (with short and
long sentences working to achieve your goal), and a
paragraph that speaks to the significance or your event
(use the list of answers to the questions on slide #10
and #11); end with framing plan.
Study: Vocab
Bring: HG and SMG; A copy of post #5
Class 6
10/09
Presentation: Essay #2 Review and questions
Group Work/Discussion: Bragg: “Analyzing
Writing Strategies #1 p 36: Comparing
In-Class Writing:
Similes and Metaphors
Time Transitions and Verb Tenses
Integrating quotations MLA style
Preparing the complete draft: SMG 52-53
Read: Catch up on HG (You should be through
chapter 12.
Write: Complete Draft of Essay #2
Endeavor to format it MLA style
Make a works cited page for your essay.
Blog Prompt #6: Post two dialogues from your essay.
Study: Vocabulary (1-7)
Bring: Two clean, complete copies of your draft; SMG
Week 4
Class 7
10/14
You should have two clean, complete copies of
your draft
Writing Workshop: Revision strategies
Presentation: MLA Format
Editing Strategies: compound sentences,
dangling modifiers, homonyms
Discussion: Open for questions
In-Class Writing: Writing Workshop
Read: HG through chapter 15
SMG 134- 148
Write: Using the comments you received from your
readers, revise and edit Essay #2. Due electronically
via Kaizena before the next class. Your paper
must be in MLA format.
Post #7: Post two versions a section of your essay that
vividly describes a place AND two versions of a
section that vividly describes a person. (One draft
version and one revised version of each)
Vocabulary 1-9 Exam Next class
Essay #3
The Concept
Class 8 CT
10/16
Due Essay #2
Change teams and Game
Vocabulary Test #2: (Chapters 5-9)
Discussion: Ngo and Toufexis
Essay #3: The Concept Essay
In-Class Writing: Consider topics for your
essay from The Hunger Games.
Read: HG through chapter 19; SMG 148-163
Post #8 Finish and post your in-class writing;
find a definition for your concept. It can be from a
dictionary or an encyclopedia.
Post #9: Name the two concepts about which you
wrote paragraphs. Find a few lines from The Hunger
Games that illustrate each concept. Copy them into
your post, and then explain how the example
demonstrates, defines, or embodies the concept.
(Include page numbers)
Bring: SMG to Class
Study Vocab 10-13

3. Week 5
Class 9
10/21
Presentation: Vocabulary (10-13)
Presentation:
Friedman: Anecdotes; Compare and
Contrast
Holmes: Illustrations and Examples
Basic Features
Discussion: Ways to begin your
concept essay.
In-Class Writing:
Focusing your Concept
Writing your Thesis
Outlining
Read: HG through chapter 22
Post #10: Finish and post your in-class writing:
Focused concept, thesis, anecdotes
Find three more examples of your concept in HG.
Endeavor to find examples to represent your
classifications or categories.
Post #11 Choose another concept to compare and
contrast with yours for the purpose of demonstrating
differences.
Study: Vocab (1-18)
Class 10
10/23
Presentation Vocabulary (14-18)
Vocab Game (1-18)
Presentation:
Appositives: Explaining the concept
178-79
Anecdotes
Discussion:
Reviewing The Focus
Reviewing the Basic Features
Reviewing the outline
In-Class Writing: Drafting the Concept Essay
Read: HG through chapter 24
Post #12 Post a list of five appositive phrases you
wrote to use in your essay.
Study: Vocab (1-18)
Bring: A one page outline for your in-class essay, pen
or pencil, and paper.
Week 6
Class 11
10/28
In Class Essay#3 Exam: The Concept essay
Read: Finish The Hunger Games
Read: SMG 326-359: Read all four essays in the
chapter.
Patrick O Malley, More Testing, More Learning (annotated
student essay)
]Karen Kornbluh, Win-Win Flexibility
]Matthew Miller, A New Deal for Teachers
]Gian-Claudia Sciara, Making Communities Safe for
Bicycles
Post #13: Discuss the basic features as they appear in
each essay. Pick a different feature for each essay
Study Vocabulary 10-21: Exam next class 10-18
Bring SMG
Essay #4 The Problem/Solution Essay
Class 12 CT
10/30
Vocabulary Test #3: 10-18
Change Teams
Presentation: Vocabulary 19-21
Discussion: Problem Solution Essays
• Patrick O Malley, “More Testing, More
Learning”
• Karen Kornbluh, “Win-Win Flexibility”
Introduction to Essay #4
In-Class Writing
Finish your Chart
Post #14 Use your Chart to begin to brainstorm ideas
for your essay. Choose two problems: Write one
paragraph explaining each problem in detail. Write
another explaining a tentative solution for each
problem.
Study: Vocabulary 19-23
Bring: Your chart and paragraphs with you to class.

4. Week 7
Class 13
11/04
• Presentation Vocabulary 22-23
• Vocab Game
• Discussion: Essay #4
• In-Class Writing: Finding a problem to
write about.
Post #15:
§ Your revised and developed description of your
problem. This should be two to four good
paragraphs.
§ Write one or more sentences to serve as your
tentative thesis statement. In most essays
proposing solutions to problems, the thesis
statement is a concise announcement of the
solution. Think about how emphatic you should
make the thesis and whether you should forecast
your reasons.
§ Write a paragraph explaining why your solution
would solve the problem.
§ Add a paragraph about why it is possible.
§ Make a list of the steps of implementation.
Review the readings in this chapter to see how other
writers construct their thesis statements.
Bring SMG and a copy of your essay draft.
Vocabulary Test 4: 19-23
Class 14
11/06
Vocabulary Test 4: 19-23
Review
Describing the problem
The solution: the thesis
Outlining the plan
Planning for objections: the counterargument
Evaluating Alternative Solutions
Research?
Investigate
Interview
Read
Post #16
Notes and brainstorming for your counterargument
Your consideration of alternative solutions
Make notes about what kind of information you need
to support your arguments.
Study Vocabulary from chapters 24-25
Week 8
Class 15
11/11
• Library Day
Be prepared to do research for your
essay
Do research for your problem solution essay
Read your research articles
Post #17: A tentative works cited page for essay #4;
include your library task resources.
Bring your sources, a draft of all of your work, and
SMG
Study Vocabulary from chapters 24-27
Class 16
11/13
Review: Essay #4:
Counterargument
Alternative Solutions
Outline
Integrating and Citing Sources
Works Cited Page
Put all of the parts of your essay into the outline we
wrote today. Read your essay aloud to make sure it is
in a logical order. Integrate your research into your
essay. Begin your works cited page.
Post #18: your draft thus far.
Study all vocabulary words.
Bring a copy of post #18

5. Week 9
Class 17
11/18
Vocabulary Game
Introductions
Conclusions
Sentence Strategies
Self Assessment
Add the introduction and conclusion we wrote today to
your draft. Read it aloud to make sure it is in a logical
order. Change the order of your paragraphs if that makes
sense to you.
Check your essay for ambiguity. Add words to clarify
“this” and “that.” Check your sentences for “agents.”
Post #19: Your introduction and conclusion
Bring one clean, hard copy to class.
• Your essay should be in MLA format
• It should include a works cited page
• Study Vocabulary: Test in next class
• Essay #2 Revision Due before class 18
Class 18
11/20
Vocabulary Test 5: 24-27
Writing Workshop
Self Assessment
Review your essay suggestions.
Revise Essay #4 accordingly
Print and Read King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech (it is
under “Primary Texts”) on the website.
Bring a copy of King’s Speech to Class
Submit essay #4 via Kaizena
Prepare for Vocabulary Test Make-up
Come to class 20 minutes late if you are not taking a
test.
Essay #2 Revision Due Today
Week 10
Essay #5 The Speech
Class 19
11/25
Essay #4 Due
Make-up Vocabulary Test
Intro to Speech
— Reorganize your essay into the five steps of
the Monroe motivated sequence.
— Eliminate sections of your essay that will be
cumbersome or unnecessary in your speech.
— Condense sections that are too long
— Simplify sections that are difficult to listen
to.
— Bring a clean copy of essay #4, or bring it on
your device.
— Bring a copy of King’s Speech.
No Class
11/27
Thanksgiving

6. Week 11
Class 20
12/02
Speech Writing
n Write, revise, or refine your speech.
n Use the list of strategies to generate
several ideas for your own speech.
n Read: SMG "Oral Presentations” 835-39
n Bring your final draft of your speech to turn in.
It should be formatted in MLA style and have
a works cited page.
Class 21
12/04
All Speeches Due
Give 15 Speeches
Prepare to speak or to listen!
Week 12
Final
Class 22
Wednesday
Dec 10
9:15-11:15
15 Speeches
Happy Break!