This Learning Lab course can be elected autonomously to improve writing skills or can be taken to supplement HFC composition courses such as English 131. This independent study course, which accommodates the students’ skill levels, is designed to improve writing proficiency. Students will receive individual attention in once-a-week conferences with the instructor and will work with computer-assisted materials, audiovisual programs, and teacher-prepared handouts to overcome rhetorical, stylistic, and grammatical problems with writing. Evaluation is based on successful completion of assigned work, improvement, and attendance. This course does not substitute for any other English courses at HFC.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
The goal of English 086 is to improve the quality of student writing regardless of the level of expertise. In helping students develop writing skills, English 086 instructors will adapt to the students’ skill levels and will adjust the course objectives and requirements accordingly. In some cases, students may write individual sentences and paragraphs; in other cases, students may complete full essays. Depending on the students’ primary needs, instruction may emphasize grammar and mechanics, organization, and the development of ideas.
- Based on initial pretest results, all students will have individual instructional plans that address individual deficiencies.
By the completion of English 086, students will be able to accomplish the following:
- Apply strategies for prewriting.
- Analyze the audience, outcome, and purpose for a writing assignment.
- Identify the elements of a well-written paragraph, essay, or workplace document, such as a memo.
- Identify and correct common grammatical errors in their own writing.
- Write a paper that is organized, coherent, and adequately developed.
- Apply strategies for revision.
- Evaluate their level of expertise as a writer.*
*Critical thinking objective
Assessment and Requirements
All students will be required to:
- Write a statement of self-assessment at the end of the course, detailing how their writing has improved.
- Demonstrate improvement in writing proficiency based on comparative analysis of diagnostic writing and final writing assignments.
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Students will compose four papers commensurate with their writing abilities.
- If students are taking the class as a supplement to a composition class, the required four papers will consist of “rough drafts” or first versions of course assignments.
- Students will devote a requisite number of hours to skills development, using the resources of the Learning Lab and computer-assisted programs.
- Students will write a brief paragraph at the end of the course, detailing how their writing has improved.
- All students must maintain an individual Learning Lab file in which all Lab assignments are contained.
- All students are required to complete diagnostic testing in both grammar and writing.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Instructors should encourage students to use pre-writing as one step in the total writing process.
- Students should write at fairly regular intervals, and papers should gradually increase in complexity.
- Instructors should give specific directions in class for correcting and revising themes. Papers of poor quality should be rewritten.
- Instructors are encouraged to allow students to revise the first three writing assignments. This approach enables students to assess the effectiveness of their writing and to benefit immediately from the critical comments of their instructors.