Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Write a clear, well-developed paragraph with topic sentence, supporting details, and conclusion
 

Write a minimum of eight paragraphs, including:
1. satisfactory in-class paragraphs
2. satisfactory out-of-class paragraphs
3. (explanation of "satisfactory" attached)

Themes, Concepts, Issues
A. Grammar Review
1. Phrases and Clauses
2. Verbs and Related Structures
3. Other Parts of Speech
4. Mechanics
B. Writing Process
C. Rhetorical Styles
D. Critical Thinking Skills

Competencies and Skills

A. Grammar
1. Use adjective, adverb, and noun clauses and phrases correctly
2. Identify and correct sentence run-ons, comma splices, and fragments
3. Identify and correct problems with parallel structure
4. Identify and modify choppy sentences and stringy sentences
5. Use verbs in the active and passive(including modals) competently
6. Use gerunds and infinitives competently
7. Use modals and related words competently
8. Demonstrate subject/verb agreement
9. Use articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and transition words correctly
10. Apply punctuation, capitalization, and spelling rules correctly

B. The Writing Process
1. Use correct format for written assignments
2. Use prewriting skills, including brainstorming, narrowing a topic,
and outlining
3. Revise and edit multiple drafts
4. Organize paragraphs, using topic sentence, supporting details, and
concluding sentence
5. Conference with the instructor
6. Journal (optional)

C. Rhetorical Styles
Competently uses several of the following organizational plans in
paragraphs: descriptive, narrative, comparison/contrast, cause/effect,
classification, problem/solution, discussion, definition.

D. Critical Thinking Skills
1. Use supplemental readings to obtain ideas and vocabulary for writing
assignments
2. Avoid plagiarism
3. Demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose
4. Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information
5. Avoid bias and stereotyping in writing
6. Distinguish between narrative, descriptive, and expository paragraphs

Explanation of Satisfactory Paragraphs

A satisfactory paragraph includes the following:
1. Selection of a topic worthy of adult communication
2. Originality with awareness of audience
3. A topic sentence that creates interest
4. Development that thoroughly explains the topic sentence
5. Appropriate concluding sentence
6. Unity and coherence
7. Seventy percent accuracy in these areas: verb tense, verb form,
agreement, word form, word choice, word order, avoidance of run-ons,
comma splices, and fragments; grammatical errors should not interfere
with intelligibility
8. Vocabulary appropriate to level
9. Effective use of transitions
10. Sentence variety

In addition to the above general criteria, the following specific criteria
will be used:
A satisfactory in-class paragraph
1. one page handwritten, double-spaced
2. includes development that is at least 70 percent as thorough as
satisfactory out-of-class paragraphs

A satisfactory out-of-class paragraph
1. one page typed
2. clear topic sentence, adequate development, concluding sentence