Composition

Composition is a writing class that will focus primarily on reviewing Language Arts skills, as well as writing a compare/contrast essay, an argumentative essay, and a well thought out research paper. In this course, you will learn, in depth, each task that goes into writing different types of essays. This will be a slow process that takes place over several weeks. 

• Pens/Pencils (Blue or Black Ink Only)

• Notebook

• Notecards (Will be provided)

All students are to adhere to rules and expectations set by the Pittsville Student Handbook. In addition: 

1. Students must arrive to class on time every day ready to give their best effort. This means having all materials, as well as a good attitude. 

2. Students have 2 days after an excused absence to make up work. Once that time has passed, and for all other late work, students must fill out a “late work request” form. 

3. Make-up tests will be offered to students who fill out the “re-teach, re-do, re-take request” form and complete all necessary components. Make up tests and assignments should be requested within the same week as the assignment is handed back.

4. Cheating will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism. Cheating/plagiarizing will result in having to re-do the assignment as well as disciplinary action. 

5. Students are expected to be respectful of all people, spaces, and materials.

If you are quarantined throughout the school year, you will be required to join the Google Classroom Google Meet to follow along with the class. If you are quarantined and sick, this will not be a requirement and a video of the lesson will be posted for you to watch. 

For this unit, students will be reviewing important aspects of Language Arts that will help strengthen their writing in all English classes. This involves reviewing sentence types, punctuation, homophones, and specific language. They will then take what they have learned to write a compare/contrast essay using different sentence structures.

Assessments:

• Elements of Writing Test

• Compare/Contrast Essay

In this unit, students will be reviewing how to write good paragraphs and what strong introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions should look like. Students will also be learning what to look for when revising and editing their own papers and their classmates' papers. The students will show what they have learned by writing an argumentative essay.

Assessments:

• Argumentative Essay

In this unit, students will be reviewing the differences between paraphrasing, direct quoting, and summarizing. Students will also review what proper citations look like, how to write a bibliography using MLA formatting, and how to cite sources properly within a paragraph.

Assessments:

• Elements of Writing Test

In this unit, students will be writing their research paper. This will be a slow process with a lot of learning about how to pick a topic, how to annotate notes, how to do proper research, and A LOT of revising! Students will have time to work on their new skills, as well as time to conference with Ms. Hale about the writing process.

Assessments:

• Annotated Bibliography

• Research Paper Outline

• First Draft of Research Paper

• Second Draft of Research Paper

• Final Draft of Research Paper

Assessments…………………...100% 

A    100-94%                                                       

A-    93-90%                                                        

B+   89-88%                                                        

B     87-84%                                                         

B-    83-80%                                                        

C+   79-78%

C     77-74%

C-    73-70%

D+   69-68%

D     67-64%

D-    63-60%

F     59% and lower

1. W.1: Write arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence

2. W.1a: Introduce claims, be able to tell the significance of the claims, have claims for the opposing side, and be able to provide claims in order, as well as counterclaims, reasons, and evidence 

3. W.1b: Develop claims and counterclaims, be able to provide evidence, including strengths and weaknesses, for each claim

4. W.1d: Be able to keep a formal style and objective tone while writing a research paper

5. W.1e: Provide a concluding statement for each argument presented

6. W.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas clearly and accurately through selection and organization

7. W.2a: Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole. You may provide pictures, graphs, or headings if necessary.

8. W.2b: Be specific with the topic by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience's knowledge of the topic.

9. W.2f: Provide a concluding statement or section that supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).

10. W.8 Gather relevant information for sources, integrate the information properly, avoid plagiarism,and cite properly

11. L.1: Demonstrate understanding of English grammar and usage when writing 

12. L.2: Demonstrate understanding of English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing