Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Locate and evaluate potential sources of support for ideas expressed in writing using the Internet, the library, and research databases.
2. Understand the U.S. academic and professional views of plagiarism and use citation to avoid plagiarizing.
3. Apply linguistic knowledge to clearly communicate through writing in professional, civic, and academic situations commonly encountered in the U.S.
4. Apply critical thinking to writing with an understanding of one’s own cultural filter, using concepts learned in a multi-cultural environment; apply
cultural understanding learned in class to examine and appreciate the writing of others.
5. Use the accepted patterns of organization and clarity common to professional and academic writing.
6. Use a multi-step process to plan, revise, and edit written work, including tools (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus) and sources to support writing.

Write a minimum of five essays, the majority of which are satisfactory*, including:
1. at least two in-class essays
2. at least three out-of-class essays
(* explanation of “satisfactory” attached)

A. Grammar Review and Instruction

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 and Mechanics
1. use adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses and phrases correctly
2. identify and correct sentence fragments, run-ons, and comma spices
3. use and correct problems with parallel structure
4. use verb tenses and modals competently in the active and passive voice
5. use gerunds and infinitives competently
6. use articles, prepositions, coordinating and correlative conjunctions, and transition words correctly
7. apply punctuation, capitalization, and spelling rules correctly
B. The writing process
1. use prewriting skills, including brainstorming techniques, group discussion of topics, narrowing a topic, and outlining
2. revise and edit (including peer response) multiple drafts
3. develop skills in organizing essays correctly:

a. create a thesis statement
b. create introductions in a variety of styles, each keeping the intended audience in mind
c. develop supporting paragraphs that have clear topic sentences and adequate relevant supporting detail
d. develop ability to evaluate and improve an essay in the areas of coherence and unity of ideas and presentation

4. conference twice with instructor
5. keep a reading/writing journal (optional)
6. use assigned format for papers
7. apply research techniques and conventions, including library research, interviewing, source materials (summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting) and documentation (parenthetical references, list of works cited)
C. Rhetorical Styles
1. competently use at least three of the following rhetorical styles in multiple-paragraph essays: classification, problem/solution, definition and argument
2. use outside sources for at least three papers during the term.
D. Critical Thinking Skills
1. use supplemental or textbook readings to generate ideas and vocabulary for writing assignments.
2. effectively analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources and form a well-supported thesis
3. appropriately incorporate examples or the thoughts of others and provide source citation
4. avoid plagiarism
5. demonstrate an awareness of audience and purpose
6. distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information
7. distinguish among facts, opinions, and beliefs
8. avoid bias, stereotyping, and inappropriate or emotional language in writing
9. identify topics of equal class for classification
10. distinguish between causes and effects and offer valid solutions
11. define a term or group by specific examples
12. outline and exemplify relevant arguments on an issue
13. refute opposing arguments
14. distinguish between subjective and objective evidence
15. distinguish between a thesis and a statement of fact
16. form a thesis based on assigned readings, or film as text, and support it with details and examples
17. understand the difference between narration/ description and expository writing
Explanation of Satisfactory Essays
A satisfactory essay includes the following:
1. selection of a topic worthy of adult communication
2. selection of a rhetorical pattern that integrates well with the chosen thesis
3. appropriate language, detail, and tone showing originality with awareness of audience
4. an introduction which creates interest and fits with the rest of the essay
5. a clear thesis statement
6. paragraph development that thoroughly explains the thesis statement
7. appropriate topic sentences
8. a concluding paragraph
9. unity and coherence
10. Seventy percent grammatical accuracy in these areas: verb tense, verb form, run-ons, fragments, agreement, word form, word choice, and word order; grammatical errors in other areas should not interfere with understandability
11. precise vocabulary (word form and word choice appropriate to context/ purpose/ audience)
12. appropriate transitions and other connectors
13. sentence variety
In addition to the above general criteria, the following essay-specific criteria will be used:
A satisfactory in-class essay
1. contains at least four paragraphs
2. includes development that is at least 70 percent as thorough as satisfactory out-of-class essays
3. demonstrates the ability to connect writing to a specific reading or readings (in at least one in-class assignment)
A satisfactory out-of-class essay
1. is a minimum of two typed double-spaced pages
2. demonstrates evidence of having been edited and proofread
If the essay includes outside sources, the paper may include all or some of the following:
3. a balance between the student's own voice and the sources
4. competent summarizing and paraphrasing with reference to sources
5. accurate documentation
6. multiple sources
7. library and Internet research
8. a works cited page