Written Communication
Spring 2007
Ms. VanderSyde
 

Course Syllabus

 

Goals -

During the course of the semester, the Written Communication student will:

³     Review and refine writing in the narrative mode

³     Expand writing skills by writing essays about ideas from outside observable experiences

³     Use textual evidence to defend a topic drawn from specific pieces of literature

³     Apply the elements of literary analysis to a significant literary work

³     Continue to compose pieces of writing using the process approach (pre-write, draft, revise, edit, and revise again)

³     Read and understand a variety of literary genres (novel, short story, and drama)

³     Discuss literature in a purposeful manner

³     Improve correct grammar and usage through writing

 

 

UNITS OF STUDY

 

Unit I: Narrative Writing

³     Major assignment(s): place paper

³     Supplemental work: short stories, film study, writing workshop

 

Unit II: Drama Study – Romeo & Juliet

³     Major assignments: unit test, literary analysis paper on a dominant trait

³     Supplemental work: history study, Internet research, film study, drama performances

 

Unit III: Novel Study – A Separate Peace

³     Major assignments: unit test, literary analysis paper

³     Supplemental work: internet research, film study

 

Unit IV: Independent Reading Unit

³     Major assignment: novel study and discussion

³     Supplemental work: Socratic seminars, writing reflection

Assessment

Students’ semester grades will be calculated by dividing each student’s total earned points into the total points possible from all assignments, quizzes, papers, tests, and projects.  Each quarter is worth 40% of the semester grade.  The semester exam is worth 20% of the semester grade.

 

First drafts of papers are usually worth 70-100 points.

Final drafts of papers are usually worth 30-50 points.

Homework is usually worth 5-15 points.

Quizzes are usually worth 10-30 points.

Unit Tests are usually worth 50-100 points.

Projects are usually worth 25-50 points.

 

  

Tips for Success!

²     Keep an assignment notebook

²     Take notes in class

²     Read and write regularly

²     Turn in assignments on time

²     Monitor your progress

²     Stay organized

²     Get make-up work after an absence

²     Initiate conferences in the Writing Center – it’s there to help you!

Classroom Expectations
 

To ensure your success in this course, you must understand and follow the classroom expectations.  You are expected to adhere to the policies published in the Redbook.   In particular, please pay close attention to the following:

 

Daily Supplies

Be sure to bring these supplies to the classroom everyday. 

!    A pen(blue or black ink only) and a pencil

!    A class notebook (to be used only for this class)

!    A folder with pockets or a binder

!    Loose leaf paper

!    Proper books

You will not be permitted to go to your locker and retrieve any assignments or materials

 

General Responsibilities

•  Respect others’ rights.  When another student or I am talking, listen attentively.  Talking “over” or “under” another person will not be tolerated.  Rudeness, swearing, and inappropriate behavior will result in an immediate detention or referral.  Be courteous, kind, and think before speaking.

•  Speak and write thoughtfully

•  Be accountable for your own work and your own actions

•  Dress and present yourself appropriately

Attendance and Absences

• When the bell rings, be in your seat.  A tardy will be recorded if you are not in your seat at this time.  Your third tardy will result in a referral.

•  As soon as the bell rings, be prepared for the day’s material

•  If you are late, present a signed pass before you sit

•  If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to obtain any work you missed.  I will not seek out absent students to give them work.

•  If you are absent from class on the day of a planned test or quiz, you must be ready to take it upon your return.  (You will be given notice of upcoming tests so no excuses will be accepted)

•  If you are absent from class on the day a paper is due, you must hand it in immediately upon your return.

• Repeated absence or repeated unexcused lateness will result in a detention, a referral to the dean, and a parental notification 

Late Work

•  All daily assignments must be ready to turn in at the beginning of the period; any other time during class is considered late.  If I see you working on an assignment due that day, it is late.

•  Homework will be accepted one day late and you will receive half credit.  Any day after that will receive no credit.

• If you have an excused absence, you have two days for every day you were absent.

• If work is late due to an unexcused absence, you will receive NO CREDIT for that period.  NO MAKE UP WORK will be accepted.

• If any major assignment (usually only a paper) is incomplete, the assignment will lose 10% of its value per day.

• See the homework contract for more information!

 

Field Trips

• You must notify me in advance of any fieldtrip that causes you to miss my class.

• You must hand in all work due on the day of your fieldtrip before school that day.  There will be absolutely no exceptions.

 Discipline

• DO NOT DISRUPT THE LEARNING PROCESS!

• Do not cheat, listen to music, write or speak obscenities, or say disrespectful things to others. 

• If caught cheating (on homework, tests, papers), you will receive a zero for the assignment – no exceptions! Keep your eyes on your own work, do your own work, and keep your work to yourself.  "Sharing” work with a friend is considered cheating – the “sharer” will receive a zero as well.  Also, please see the plagiarism policy on the bottom of this page and in your Redbook.

• Show consideration for other students in the class.  Negative attitudes or comments will not be tolerated.

 

Written Assignments

• All papers MUST be typed – both first and final drafts.  There are NEVER any exceptions to this rule.  If you do not have access to a computer at home, PLAN AHEAD to get your papers done.

• Our Writing Center opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 3:30 p.m. every day.

§         The Writing Center is open during all eight periods during the day – just get a pass from me to get out of

a study hall or lunch

§         An English teacher is on duty during all eight periods of the day in the Writing Center to help you with

your papers.

û       Papers not turned in WHEN THEY ARE COLLECTED on the day they are due are considered LATE. 

§         I will not accept the “It’s on a disk – may I go print it out?” excuse – EVER.  It is late.

§         I will not accept the “My printer is broken” excuse either.  Now that you know the Writing Center hours,

you should come in before school to print it out and have it in class.

û       I am available for individual conferences and extra help on all assignments.

§         I periodically hold in-class conferences, but it is not always possible to see every student who needs help

during class.  PLEASE make an appointment for a conference outside of class – this is your best chance for succeeding on the assignment, as I can devote more time to you personally.

§         I am free during the school day during periods _____, _____, and _____.  If you would like to conference

with me, please make an appointment ahead of time.

§         I am often available before and after school for extra help.  Please make an appointment ahead of time.

§         I do not give conferences on the day a paper is due.

 

The Naperville Central Redbook Plagiarism Policy

Naperville Central students are challenged to address the academic process enthusiastically, diligently, and most importantly, honestly.  The Naperville Central community expects that students do their work honestly, without cheating or plagiarizing.  The integrity of the academic program depends upon an honest approach by our students.  It is the responsibility of our students, teachers, and administration to protect the integrity of our academic program.

 

Cheating or plagiarizing at any level, at any time, will not be tolerated.  Consequently, when evidence of cheating or plagiarism exists, the assignment will receive no credit, the student has no opportunity to make up that work, and the deans will be notified.

 

In addition, any student who chooses to share his or her work with another will also lose credit.  That credit will be lost even if the student claims to have no knowledge of the other person’s using the original paper.

 

Plagiarism Defined:

Naperville Central High School’s A+ Manual states, “Plagiarism is cheating.  It is the act of using another person’s ideas or expressions in your work without acknowledging the source.  In other words, to plagiarize is to give the impression that you have written or thought something that you have in fact borrowed from someone else.  Plagiarism is essentially theft – the stealing of someone else’s intellectual property.”

 

If it is evident you have plagiarized, you will receive no credit for the assignment or paper.  You will receive no chance to make up those points.

 

Please share this information with your parents.

 

I have read the above information and understand the consequences.

 

Student signature ___________________________________________ Class Period_________

 

Parent/Guardian signature ____________________________________ Date ______________