FRESHMAN COMPOSITION

Course Description
This semester course will reintroduce and strengthen many of the writing skills that students have been previously taught, but within the context of preparing student to write across the curriculum at the high school level. As the course name suggests, the primary work will be in the composition of paragraphs and essays. Work will be signed in grammar, writing mechanics, outlining, structure and writing in various patterns of rhetorical development. Some of the types of writing we will explore include biographies, narratives, reflective, informational and observational writing. In addition, students will learn to become more comfortable with the creation of their own writing and voice. We do not work with fiction.

COURSE MATERIALS
Grammar for Writing, Level Blue
3-ring binder with five dividers and loose-leaf college ruled paper
Composition Book
Dictionary
Black, red and blue pens
3-prong hole puncher

GRADING POLICIES
➢    Compositions                        40%
➢    Midterm and Final Exam        20%
➢    Homework                             20%
➢    Quizzes                                 10%
➢    Class Participation                 10%

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
➢    Compositions: Students will complete a narrative essay, a persuasive essay, a comparison and contrast essay and a research essay.

➢    Midterm/Final: Both of these are graded and timed essays. The final includes a grammar portion.

➢    Quizzes: Students will be quizzed on grammar and composition requirements. During the final weeks of the course, students will learn and be quizzed on skills that will help them during standardized tests.

➢    Participation: Students earn a maximum of 50 participation points every six weeks. Take advantage of this by behaving in class and completing all prewriting and rough drafts as required.

COURSE POLICIES
➢    Make-up work: Absent students must turn in homework and essays the next time they are in class. Quizzes cannot be made up, however two will be dropped. Students must arrange time with teachers to make up tests. I will NOT approach students to tell them about make-up work. They must see the teacher the day they come back to school.
➢    No unexcused late work will be accepted.
➢    Rewrites: Students are allowed to rewrite one composition.

RULES
1.    Follow all rules as spelled out in Lancer Life.
2.    Respect each and every person in the classroom, including the teacher.