Course Overview

Advanced English IV: College Credit

Writing 121,and WR 122 are introductory college-level writing courses required by many community and 4 year colleges. Courses emphasize effective college-level critical thinking, reading and writing skills--focusing on writing essays with a thesis, as well as summary and analyses of selected readings. The first requirement for placement in the college credit English classes are passing scores in both reading and writing on The Accuplacer test at TVCC. Successful placement must be completed by the first week of school. Once tested into WR 121, a grade of ‘C’ or higher allows for advancement to the next course.

Quarter 1 (WR 121)

• 1. Literature--Autobiography/novel; various short stories

  2. Vocabulary: College Prep SAT words

  3. Grammar

IV. Writing

College Entrance Essay--Expository or Narrative

Focus on paragraph development, unity of essay and audience

Several Mini papers: Literary Analysis, Reflective, Summary Reaction based,

and Research based

APA Citation

Quarter 2 (WR 121)

• 1. Literature--novel or play

  2. Vocabulary: College Prep SAT words

  3. Grammar

  4. Writing

Several Mini papers: Literary Analysis, Reflective, Summary Reaction based,

and Research based

APA Citation

Quarter 3 (WR 122)

• 1. Focus on nonfiction literature

  2. Aristotle Persuasion Techniques, Bias, Fallacies

  3. Grammar

  4. Writing

Focus on parenthetical citation and reliable research

Several Mini papers: Literary Analysis, Reflective, Summary Reaction based,

and Research based

APA Citation

Quarter 4 (WR 122)

• 1. Literature: Non-fiction researched articles, possible novel or play

  2. Grammar

  3. Writing: Final Research paper: focused on reliable, credible research with analysis and APA citation

Weighted Grade Categories

The letter grade is awarded by weighted categories:

• Assessments and Essays---60%

• Reading/Writing Activities---40%

A: 100-90%; B: 89-80%; C: 79-70%; D: 69-60%; F: 59-0%

As a student, you are expected to practice and maintain high standards in your learning and to complete your work accordingly. This means YOU will use your time appropriately to complete your work, turn in original work on time, and participate as a responsible member of the class. Students will receive two different grades in this course. One grade will be for their high school transcript, and the other will be for the college course. It is possible for a student to receive a different grade for each. You must earn a C- or better to continue in the Writing Composition series and they must be taken in order beginning with WR121.

Participation

Participation in class and group activities is VITAL to success. Sharing ideas enriches and broadens the learning experience. If the student chooses to put his or her head down and not participate in class (this includes whole class discussions, journal exercises, small group activities, etc) please understand that this will affect your grade and could ultimately lead to an unsatisfactory grade for the course.

Academic Honesty

Writing your own material is mandatory; plagiarism will be penalized in accordance with VHS and TVCC policies. Most writing assignments will also require submission to www.turnitin.com for plagiarism check. In addition, a similarity reading of 20% or less is the acceptable percentage allowed. APA writing format will be required for all papers requiring citation.

Late Work Policy

Work is due at the beginning of class, unless otherwise noted. In accordance with TVCC, NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED. Technological issues are not considered valid grounds for late assignment submission. If you must be absent on a day that work is due; either turn it in early, email me a copy (linda.fuller@valesd.org), or make sure to submit in the Google Classroom.

Exceptions to this policy granted only in cases of genuinely extenuating circumstances. Using those or other technical difficulties such as: oversleeping or car trouble as excuses may only illustrate just how last minute the work really is. In addition, if you are absent on a day when a major paper or project is due, it is YOUR responsibility to call before class time. Any missed daily assignment (not those with established due dates) must be submitted within two (2) days upon return.

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