DSPW0800 Syllabus: Whiteaker

Developmental Writing

Abbreviations

HB = Hodges' Harbrace Handbook 15th edition
WS = Writer's Stylebook 4th edition
DCS = Developing College Skills in Writing 3rd edition
SQ = Spelling Quiz  
EA = Essay Analysis  

Use the index and/or table of contents of each book to locate page numbers for the reading assignments. Read assignments BEFORE coming to class.

Coursework Schedule

Week 1 A: Challenge Test
  B: Introduction to the Course
  C: WS pages 5-33; assign "Writing Around Us" portfolio
Week 2 A: Parts of Speech [HB, DCS]; Spelling [WS]--quizzes begin next class. Study words in group 1 of Spelling List: SQ1.
  B: SQ1; Audience; Essay Checklists [WS]; Sentence Boundaries [HB; DCS]
  C: Writing Assignment 1 [diagnostic]
Week 3 A: SQ2; Central Idea/Thesis Statement [WS 82-85]; Coherence; Essay Analysis
  B: SQ 3; Coordination and Subordination [HB; DCS]; Narrative writing; EA 1
  C: Writing Assignment 2 [narrative]
Week 4 A: SQ4; assign Library Project [DCS]--due Week 14.
  B: SQ5; Pre-writing, outlining, proofreading, peer group response
  C: Descriptive Writing [DCS]; assign topics
Week 5 A: SQ6; first draft of descriptive essay due; revising, drafting, group work
  B: SQ7; EA2; Grammar [HB; DCS]
  C: Writing Assignment 3 [descriptive]
Week 6 A: SQ8; Process Analysis [DCS]; order of ideas; "How to Read a Poem"
  B: SQ9; Poetry Background [DCS]; EA3
  C: Writing Assignment 4 [process]
Week 7 A: SQ10; Pronouns [HB; DCS]; Imagery, "Buenos Aires at Night" [DCS]; "Ozymandias" [DCS]
  B: SQ11; EA4; Grammar
  C: Writing Assignment 5 [descriptive]
Week 8 A: SQ12; Research and the Library; Dictionary Assignment [WS]; bring a good dictionary to class
  B: SQ13; Proofreading, Plagiarism [HB; WS] EA5--reflection over 1st half of semester
  C: Documentation Styles [HB; WS; DCS]--MLA Documentation **VERY IMPORTANT
Week 9 A: SQ14; Background for Writing about Literature [DCS]; Comparison/Contrast [DCS]; Dictionary Assignment Due
  B: SQ15; "Revolt of 'Mother'" [DCS] and "Split Cherry Tree" [DCS]
  C: Stories, continued
Week 10: A: SQ16; Writing Assignment 6 [comparison/contrast]
  B: SQ17; Summary/Paraphrase; Washington's "Rules of Civility" [DCS]; exercise
  C: Writing Assignment 7 [summary]
Week 11 A: SQ18; "The Mouse" [DCS]; developing a timeline 
  B: SQ19; "The Tapestry and the Ring"; timeline; EA6
  C: "The Tapestry and the Ring," continued
Week 12 A: SQ20; Book Reports [DCS]
  B: SQ21; Book Report Summary due
  C: Book Report Analysis due
Week 13 A: SQ22; Character Stereotypes [DCS]; character analysis
  B: SQ23; Verb Tenses [HB Part 2:6]; Agreement [HB; DCS]; EA7
  C: Writing Assignment 9 [character]
Week 14 A: SQ24; Question/Answer Session on Library Project; work session in class; IDEA
  B: SQ25; Library Project due at beginning of class; Dramatic Monologue; begin discussion of "My Last Duchess" or "Ulysses" [DCS]; EA8
  C: Continue from last class; "How to Take an Essay Exam"
Week 15 A: Writing Assignment 10 [How to take an Essay Exam]
  B: Folders due at beginning of class [essay folder and "Writing Around Us" portfolio]
  C: EA9--reflections over the semester
Week 16 A: Final Exam Date: Time: Location:
This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at the discretion of the instructor. All students are expected to complete all assignments for which a grade is assigned. Prepare for class by reading assignments listed BEFORE coming to class. Bring proper materials for class. COME PREPARED TO WORK. 
 
See also

Policy Statement

This information maintained by Janet Whiteaker
Last Updated: 09-April-2003
For more information, contact jwhiteaker@tntech.edu

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