FlexNet Program Course Number: ENG-101 Course Title: Elements of Writing Contact Information: Jennifer Condon a. Email: [email protected] b. Phone: 515.574.1190 1. Total Semester Hour(s) Credit: 3 credit hours 2. Total Contact Hours per Semester: Lecture: X Lab: N/A 3. Catalog Description: This course will help students develop their writing and critical thinking skills in order to prepare them for ENG-105. Elements of Writing will also provide opportunities for the improvementof oral expression and will help students learn and improve research and documentation skills with an emphasis of sentence, paragraph, and essay development. Also, covered in class are basic study and reading skills, time management techniques, job-seeking skills, and an introduction to library skills. The course wraps up with a POST-COMPASS or equivalence exam. 4. Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites: Mandatory Placement Levels: ASSET: 35-39; COMPASS: 38-64; ACT: 14-17 5. Textbook Required: Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference with Exercises. 7th ed. New York, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. Print. ISBN -13: 978-0-312-60147-8 Bailey, Richard E., and Linda Denstaedt. Going Places: Paragraphs to Essays. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print. ISBN: 0-07-766991-6 1. Access code: The Going Places text will should be bundled with the Connect Writing access code. If not, a registration code must be purchased in addition to the text at the bookstore or online. To register for Connect Writing, all students must use the URL provided to them by their instructor at the start of class. 2. Please note: All texts are available at the Campus Bookstore. If you experience a brief delay in purchasing books due to timing of financial aid checks, be aware that copies of all course texts are on reserve in the Iowa Central Library. Reserve materials may be checked out to be used in the library only, not to take home. 6. Materials Required: · Reliable computer and Internet access · Paper and writing utensils · USB storage media · Online storage space, e.g. DropBox, Google Docs · WARNINGS: Back up all work and name all files carefully. Confirm all electronic submissions before deleting any files. Do not assume file your upload can be opened by instructor or is complete until that process is confirmed with a note or grade. Consider using Google Docs with your student email account or some other free storage space like Dropbox. 7. Suggested Materials: · Folder / pocket notebook · Basic knowledge of MS Word software · Basic knowledge of the Internet · Familiarity using iNet and computer resources 8. Institutional Outcomes: · Critical Thinking: The ability to dissect a multitude of incoming information, sorting the pertinent from the irrelevant, in order to analyze, evaluate, synthesize, or apply the information to a defendable conclusion. · Effective Communication: Information, thoughts, feelings, attitudes, or beliefs transferred either verbally or nonverbally throug ...

1. FlexNet Program
Course Number: ENG-101
Course Title: Elements of Writing
Contact Information: Jennifer Condon
a. Email: [email protected]
b. Phone: 515.574.1190
1. Total Semester Hour(s) Credit: 3 credit hours
2. Total Contact Hours per Semester:
Lecture: X Lab: N/A
3. Catalog Description: This course will help students develop
their writing and critical thinking skills in order to prepare them
for ENG-105. Elements of Writing will also provide
opportunities for the improvementof oral expression and will
help students learn and improve research and documentation
skills with an emphasis of sentence, paragraph, and essay
development. Also, covered in class are basic study and reading
skills, time management techniques, job-seeking skills, and an
introduction to library skills. The course wraps up with a
POST-COMPASS or equivalence exam.
4. Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites:
Mandatory Placement Levels: ASSET: 35-39; COMPASS: 38-
64; ACT: 14-17
5. Textbook Required:
Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference with Exercises. 7th ed.
New York, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. Print. ISBN -13: 978-0-
312-60147-8
Bailey, Richard E., and Linda Denstaedt. Going Places:
Paragraphs to Essays. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010. Print.

2. ISBN: 0-07-766991-6
1. Access code: The Going Places text will should be bundled
with the Connect Writing access code. If not, a registration
code must be purchased in addition to the text at the bookstore
or online. To register for Connect Writing, all students must use
the URL provided to them by their instructor at the start of
class.
2. Please note: All texts are available at the Campus Bookstore.
If you experience a brief delay in purchasing books due to
timing of financial aid checks, be aware that copies of all
course texts are on reserve in the Iowa Central Library. Reserve
materials may be checked out to be used in the library only, not
to take home.
6. Materials Required:
· Reliable computer and Internet access
· Paper and writing utensils
· USB storage media
· Online storage space, e.g. DropBox, Google Docs
· WARNINGS: Back up all work and name all files carefully.
Confirm all electronic submissions before deleting any files. Do
not assume file your upload can be opened by instructor or is
complete until that process is confirmed with a note or grade.
Consider using Google Docs with your student email account or
some other free storage space like Dropbox.
7. Suggested Materials:
· Folder / pocket notebook
· Basic knowledge of MS Word software
· Basic knowledge of the Internet
· Familiarity using iNet and computer resources
8. Institutional Outcomes:
· Critical Thinking: The ability to dissect a multitude of
incoming information, sorting the pertinent from the irrelevant,

3. in order to analyze, evaluate, synthesize, or apply the
information to a defendable conclusion.
· Effective Communication: Information, thoughts, feelings,
attitudes, or beliefs transferred either verbally or nonverbally
through a medium in which the intended meaning is clearly and
correctly understood by the recipient with the expectation of
feedback.
· Personal Responsibility: Initiative to consistently meet or
exceed stated expectations over time.
9. Department Outcomes:
· Demonstrate ability to use appropriate processes for the
communication mode.
· Demonstrate ability to think critically to assess
communication in the assigned mode and to respond
appropriately, either through self-assessment or through
analysis and critique of others’ texts.
· Demonstrate ability to use appropriate methods (e.g. research
skills, electronic modes, visuals) to develop and enhance
communication, whether written, oral, visual, or electronic.
· Demonstrate the ability to effectively organize communication
in the assigned mode.
10. Course Outcomes:
Unit (Competencies) Outcomes:
Self-Paced Units
Unit (Competencies) Outcomes:
Unit 1: Getting Ready to Write (Chapters 1-2 in Going Places
by Richard E. Bailey )

4. · Understand the requirements of the course
· Prepare to learn about writing
· Set goals for individual growth as a writer
· Create online accounts including turnitin.com and Connect
· Manage online learning resources
· Learn basic word processing skills as they apply to writing
requirements
Unit 2: Paragraph Writing (Chapters 3 – 12 ) in Going Places by
Richard E. Bailey
· Practice prewriting strategies and apply one or more to
students’ writing
· Examine various writing styles
· Analyze audience and purpose in writings
· Use specific, concrete, and major and minor supporting details
in various types of writing
· Use a variety of sentence types to develop a cohesive
paragraph
· Develop and to compose strong well-developed and well-
supported paragraphs
Unit 3: Informative Essay (Chapters 13 – 15 in Going Places by
Richard E. Bailey )
· Evaluate thesis statements on three (3) criteria
· Recognize and create transitional words, phrases, and
sentences

5. · Evaluate organizational patterns for writings
· Apply punctuation rules, with an emphasis on commas, to the
essay
· Apply the mechanics of pronouns, apostrophes, and end
punctuation
· Compose an essay supported with major and minor supporting
details and examples
· Analyze and apply revision, editing, and proofreading
strategies
· Write smooth and varied sentences for good essay
development
Unit 4: Informative Research Essay using credible sources and
MLA documentation (Chapter 16 in Going Places by Richard E.
Bailey and Linda Denstaedt) and A Writer’s Reference by Diana
Hacker)
· Understand the qualities of a research essay
· Review narrowing topics, audience, and purpose
· Pose research questions
· Become familiar with library and online research techniques
· Identify possible sources for research material
· Utilize the materials of the library and Internet
· Improve paraphrasing skills
· Develop familiarity with MLA handbook

6. · Locate bibliographical information for sources
· Construct bibliographical note cards or an Annotated Working
Bibliography
· Construct “Works Cited” pages based on MLA criteria
· Recognize outline criteria and apply these criteria in an
outline
· Develop parenthetical documentation (MLA criteria) within
the research essay
· Properly incorporate source material (direct quotes and
paraphrased material) using signal phrases and lead-ins/lead-
outs.
· Compose an extended essay supported with source information
· Apply principles of sentence clarity and variety
· Apply principles of effective revision, editing, and
proofreading
Unit 5: The Career Portfolio
· Locate and evaluate career-specific readings
· Compose a letter of application, resume, and follow-up letter
· Improve interviewing skills
· Apply revising and editing principles
Unit 6: In-class essay (Chapter 17 in Going Places by Richard
E. Bailey) and Post-COMPASS Test
· Compose an in-class essay: Students will write an essay

7. supporting the skills they learned throughout the course.
· Apply the qualities of an effective essay
· As part of the final exam, complete the Post COMPASS
examination as required by mandatory placement guidelines
Self-Paced Units / Modules
Grammar modules will be assigned based on a diagnostic test /
Connect’s personal learning plan
11. Student Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate improvement in writing skills.
1.1. Write effective and coherent papers with acceptable usage
of language.
1.2. Apply critical thinking skills appropriate to writing
strategies.
1.3. Write summaries and coherently discuss assigned readings.
1.4. Improve job-seeking skills by writing letters of application
and résumés and by reviewing interview techniques.
2. Improve and increase understanding/application of the rules
of grammar and mechanics.
3. Implement study strategies that contribute to student success.
3.1. Implement effective study and time management skills to
aid in college courses.
3.2. Improve analytical reading skills in order to comprehend a
writer’s meaning and strategy.

8. 3.3. Use effectively the facilities and materials of the library
and Internet.
12. College Procedures:
1. Administrative Withdrawal Process: An expectation of this
course is that you will participate in all class meetings and
conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or
assignments. However, FlexNet classes do not require physical
attendance, so this policy does NOT apply:
a. After you miss 25% of the course meetings, you will be
administratively withdrawn from this course. For example: A 3-
credit lecture course meeting MWF is scheduled to meet 45
times during the semester. When your number of absences has
exceeded 11, you will be withdrawn, and a “W” will appear on
your transcript. You have the right to appeal the withdrawal to
the Vice President of Instruction. Administrative withdrawal
may have academic, scholarship, financial aid, and/or housing
implications. If you have questions about the administrative
withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please
contact me.
2. Children in the Classroom: Students are not allowed to bring
children into the classrooms, labs, shops, or hallways during
class times.
3. Weather policy: In the event of extreme weather conditions
necessitating closing the college, the following radio stations
will be asked to announce the closing, starting at 6 am for day
classes and 4 pm for evening classes: KVFD, KUEL, KKEZ,
KIAQ, KQWC, KTPR, KHBT, KTLB, KAYL, and KDLS.
Instructors may make final decisions on make-ups due to
inclement weather. The final decision to attend college classes
can only be made by the individual based on his or her specific
extenuating circumstances that may make it hazardous for him

9. or her to travel.
4. Course withdrawal procedure:
1. The student will submit the withdrawal request online. This
is located in WebAdvisor.
2. The instructor immediately receives an email telling him/her
that the student has requested the drop.
3. The instructor will go into WebAdvisor and approve or deny
the request.
4. If the instructor does not respond immediately, he/she will
receive an email each night until the request is approved or
denied.
5. If the instructor does not respond after two working days, the
department chair will receive an email saying the instructor has
not responded to the request yet.
6. Once the request is approved, the Student Records Office will
withdraw the student based on the date the student submitted
the request.
5. Class cancelation: Class cancelations with be posted on
Triton Pass and emailed to students. Cancelations, including
campus closings, are also available as text messages through
Triton Alerts.
13. Grade Appeal Process: Students who believe a course grade
they have received is inaccurate may seek an appeal. Please
refer to the Student Handbook for more specific information.
14. Special Populations/Accommodations:
Students who feel they may need academic accommodations
should contact the Coordinator of Special Needs early in the
semester. The Coordinator will verify documentation and
coordinate appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Students must obtain a new accommodation notification each
semester.

10. For information contact:
Academic Resource Center
515-574-1045
15. Course Specific Policies:
a. Course Syllabus Agreement: Understanding what is expected
in this course per this syllabus is a student’s first step to
success. Please ask questions early and often.
b. iNET Statement: This course is completely online and posted
in iNET.
c. Communication: Use email to contact instructor if you need
an immediate response: [email protected] . Be sure to clearly
indicate your name, class, and question or concern for the
fastest response. Be aware that some email accounts filter into
the junk email folder; if instructor does not respond within two
days, try to email again or call. Communication within iNET
link each student to the course by default.
d. Personal Responsibility: Starting and completing this course
is the student’s responsibility and needs careful attention and
planning. Start now and set weekly goals.
e. Online Discussion Policy: iNET is a place for academic
discussion and activity. Any behavior that is outlined under the
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment, Student Conduct Code,
and Student Discipline Policy in the Iowa Central Student
Handbook will not be tolerated. If a violation of this nature
occurs, the student will be dropped from the course. Activity
can be tracked. If a student witnesses such behaviors, he or she
should contact the instructor immediately.
f. Participation/Attendance Policy: See Discussion Thread Posts
g. Assessments: Units
Approximate Percentage of Overall GradeUnit 1: Getting
Ready to Write

11. 3%
Unit 2: Paragraph Writing
12%Unit 3: Informative Essay
12%Unit 4: Informative Research Essay using credible sources
and MLA documentation
15%Unit 5: Career Portfolio
15%
Unit 6: In-Class Essay (Final) / COMPASS Test
15%
Computerized Self-Paced Modules
25%
Discussion Thread Posts
3%
h. Final Exam Policy: Final exam and post-COMPASS (or
equivalent test) must be completed prior to midnight on the last
day of the course
Grading Policy/Scale: Grades are earned, not given, and they
follow the scale below. Students may access grades anytime via
WebAdvisor. Grades will be determined using percentage of
points earned. Final grades are determined using these
percentages:
89.5 – 100%: A
Pass
79.5 – 89.4%: B
Pass
69.5 – 79.4%: C
Pass
59.5 – 69.4%: D
Pass BUT does not meet the prerequisite for Composition I
59.4% or below: F
Fail
Please Note: Papers must be submitted to Turnitin.com before
they will be graded. If you fail to turn in the required papers/
projects and submit them to Turnitin.com, you will
automatically fail the course.
i. Late Work Policy: No work is accepted after 11:59 PM CST

12. on the last day of the class.
j. Extra Credit Policy: See Online Posting to Discussion
Threads above.
k. Group Work/Collaboration: Students are expected to
complete work on their own, but asking each other questions or
sharing ideas is encouraged in the discussion threads.
l. Previous Work: Students need instructor permission to
resubmit work from another class or previous attempt at this
course.
m. Standards for Written Work: All work is to be typed and
submitted electronically. Some items may be scanned. MLA
document layout and format is expected for all major writing
assignments.
n. Scholastic Honesty Policy:
Academic Honesty:The following acts of plagiarism may result
in an automatic “F” for an assignment and possibly an “F” for
the course:
· Cheating on exams or homework (including copying or using
unauthorized help);
· Submitting another person’s work as your own;
· Submitting work from another course without consent from all
instructors involved.
· Not documenting or citing research-based information.
o. Teaching Philosophy: I expect you to try and try again,
learning a little bit more about writing and your personal
writing style and skills each day. Activities, assessments, and
assignments are planned to give you opportunities to practice
and prove to me what you are learning.
p. Computer Considerations: The college computers have
“Microsoft Word.” “Works” and other programs may not open

13. unless you save the file as a rich text format or .rtf file. If I
cannot open a file, I cannot grade the file.
q. Turnitin.com Statement: Papers must be submitted to
Turnitin.com before they will be graded. If you fail to turn in
the required papers/ projects and submit them to Turnitin.com,
you will automatically fail the course.
r. Self-Paced Computerized Learning Environment: Students
must respect the learning environment for all students by being
respectfully quiet. Each week, students are required to show
progress in the self-paced computerized learning environment
by providing evidence / documentation of progress within the
individualized learning plan. This documentation will be
explained in class.
s. Self-Paced: The self-guided class days consist of
computerized instruction in which the students will work at
their own pace to complete various grammar, reading, and
writing modules. The modules are based on students needs as
determined by a diagnostic skills test taken at the start of the
semester. Once students master their individualized
components (or other required grammar, reading, and writing
components assigned by the instructor), they will complete all
of the “self-guided” portions/modules and no longer be required
to attend the “self-guided” class-times. Attendance is required
throughout the semester on both instructor-led and “self-paced”
days. Only after ALL modules have been mastered and the
instructor approves can students be “excused” from the “self-
paced” days. Students are required to be in attendance during
all instructor-led class-times throughout the entire semester.
t. Submission Policy: Only one unit should be submitted per
week. Once work has been submitted, instructor will confirm
submission via assignment submission note/feedback in iNET
within one week. If a student submits work and does not receive
confirmation within one week, the student should email or
phone instructor immediately.
ALWAYS back up any work that is submitted online!
The next unit should not be submitted until the student has

14. received an evaluation from instructor, but the student should
continue working on the next topic. Instructor will posts
comments and corrections for major pieces of writing within
two weeks of submission.
u. Discussion Thread Posts Required: Discussions, even those
not had in real time, are valuable learning tools. These tools
provide an opportunity for student(s) and instructor to interact
throughout the course. Each Topic in the course offers two-four
potential discussion topics similar to these posted for Topic 1:
1. AHA!: Post an AHA! for Chapter 1. (An AHA! is something
you just didn’t realize until completing the readings,
assignments, and/or assessments for this week.)
2. Pat on the Back: What do you like about writing and what do
you believe you do well?
3. Goals: According to your analysis in 1-7 and 1-8, what do
you need to work on to be more effective as a college writer?
4. Reflection: Explain one thing you learned from chapter 2.
Include an example from your work to support what you say.
5. Questions? I cannot help if I do not know what your
questions are. Please post them here.
Posts are worth 25 points at the end of the course, about 1 point
each. Although students do not have to work one Topic per
week, that is the best way to complete the course successfully.
At the end of the course, instructor will total how many quality
posts each student made and post the earned points in the
WebAdvisor Grade Book. NOTE: Instructor may award up to 25
extra credit points if a student posts to all Discussion Threads,
asks questions in the Discussion Threads, and responds to other
students’ posts (if available).
v. Online Discussion Policy: iNET is a place for academic

15. discussion and activity. Any behavior that is outlined under the
Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment, Student Conduct Code,
and Student Discipline Policy in the Iowa Central Student
Handbook will not be tolerated. If a violation of this nature
occurs, the student will be dropped from the course. Activity
can be tracked. If a student witnesses such behaviors, he or she
should contact the instructor immediately.
w. Connect 3.0 by McGraw-Hill:Students will complete a
LearnSmart Achieve assessment to create a unique study plan
for this course. The study plan will guide students to mastery of
a variety of grammatical and mechanical issues in writing. This
learning is self-paced and worth 100 points at the end of the
course.
Through the course, students will submit Connect Progress
reports to stay on track to complete the program before the end
of the course. Once your plan is completed/mastered, you are
done!
PRINTSCREEN allows you to submit evidence of
results/progress into a document:
1. See “Connect Progress Report” under materials in Topics 2,
5, 10, and 14 to see the progress report requirements.
2. View evidence at website.
3. Hit PRINTSCREEN key on keyboard.
4. PASTE image into a word-processed document.
5. SAVE.
6. UPLOAD in the iNET assignment submission area.
x. Online Research Research will be a component of Unit 4.
Students’ initial exploration and eventual research will take

16. place using the internet and EBSCOhost. See “Using
EBSCOhost” in Topic 9.
Figure � SEQ Figure * ARABIC �2� EBSCOhost logo