Course:  English 052-003: Basic Writing II
Time:  11:10-12:35
Location:  Dundalk J204 and select Tuesdays in J211
Instructor: Jeremy Trucker
Office Location: K209
Office Hours: 11:15-12:15 MWF; Tue 12:45-1:45
Phone: x9785
Email:jetrucker@yahoo.com
Required Texts:  Langan, John.  English Skills with Reading, 6th edition.


See the common course outline for a full description of course objectives.


We will be working closely with the student success center, located in J211.  The student success center will administer a diagnostic test on Tuesday, September 5.  Students should take this test seriously, because the more questions students answer correctly, the less work they will have in the Student Success Center on subsequent Tuesdays.  Our class will convene in the Student Success Center on Tuesdays to study for and take the Center’s mini-tests.  I will be in the Center with class, conferencing with students one-on-one.  By Tuesday, November 7, students are required to have passed all of the necessary mini-tests with an 80%. It is to your advantage to finish the tests before the final due date, because students who finish testing ahead of schedule can use class time to work on their essays.   Success Center tutors are also available throughout the semester for half-hour appointments.  The Center is open from 9am to 10pm Mondays to Thursdays and 9am to 4pm Fridays.


WebCT is an online supplement to our course that is vital to your success.  The WebCT Calendar will contain details regarding upcoming assignments, including full descriptions of forthcoming assignments and necessary links to important readings.  Access WebCT at www.ccbcmd.edu in “My CCBC.” 


This course meets two times per week.  Students are expected to attend the class for each meeting.  Students who miss class regularly are in danger of missing vital course information.  Any student who misses more than four unexcused classes can fail the course.  Please let me know in advance of any planned, necessary absences and check WebCT for assignments that you may miss.  Students who are tardy will not be credited with attending the day’s class.

Essay One: Personal Narrative: Final grade=20% of the semester grade
Essay Two: Personal Narrative: Final grade=20% of the semester grade
Essay Three: Personal Response, one reading: Final grade=20% of the semester grade
Essay Four: Personal Response, two readings: Final grade=20% of the semester grade
Essay Five:  Introduction to Thesis Writing: Final grade=20% of the semester grade.
*Students must pass all five steps of the drafting process listed on the daily schedule to be eligible to pass essay five.
Final Examination Letter: Completed during the Examination period and submitted as part of the grade for essay five.


Students who submit a paper late will be subject to a penalty of one full letter grade or 10 points reduced per class period.  Students are encouraged to rewrite their essays if they are dissatisfied with their grades, but must discuss the grade and revision strategies with the instructor before resubmitting the essay.  Students will never receive a lower grade for revised papers, but are not guaranteed a higher grade.  Higher grades will be rewarded for essays that have been substantially improved.  At the instructor’s discretion, the student may be required to attend a tutoring session at the Student Success Center before resubmitting an essay.


Please note that the daily schedule is tentative and subject to change.  Remember to check WebCT regularly for changes to the daily schedule and full descriptions of assignments

Tue. Aug. 29: Introductions and Explanation of the Syllabus

Thurs. Aug 31: Diagnostic Essay: “Tell me about your favorite restaurant or your favorite dish to cook.”

Tue. Sept 5: Meet for Testing in The Student Success Center, J211

Thurs. Sept 7: Read Langan 20-38; Chapter 2: The Writing Process

Tue. Sept 12: Tests returned in J211

Thurs. Sept 14: Read Langan 197-210: Explaining a Process

Tue. Sept 19: Meet for testing in J211

Thurs. Sept. 21: Read Langan 261-275: Describing a Scene or Person; Assign Essay One

Tue. Sept 26: Meet for Testing in J211

Thurs. Sept 28: Essay One Due at the beginning of class; Assign Essay Two; Read Langan 275-287: Narrating an Event

Tue. Oct. 3: Meet for Testing in J211

Thurs. Oct. 5: Essay Two Due at the beginning of class; Read Langan 49-64: The 1st and 2nd Steps of Writing

Tue. Oct. 10: Meet for Testing in J211

Thurs. Oct. 12: Read Langan 88-100: The 3rd Step in Writing

Mon. Oct 16:  Midterm Grades Due

Tue. Oct. 17: Meet for Testing in J211

Thurs. Oct. 19: In class assignment: locating argument; assign homework: 7 supports for an argument

Tue. Oct. 24: Review homework; Assign Essay Three: distribute common reading; Langan 287-299

Thurs. Oct. 26: Discuss common reading and thesis strategies

Tues. Oct. 31: Read Langan 175-184: Paragraph Development

Thurs. Nov. 2: Essay three due at the beginning of class;  Lesson: argument vs. counterargument.  Assign reading one for essay four

Tue. Nov. 7: Final Day to Pass 100% of the Student Success Center Tests with an 80 percentile.  WP 3 due; distribute WP4 readings and assignment

Thurs. Nov. 9: Drafting, WP4

Tue. Nov. 14: Student Success Center Post Test

Thurs. Nov. 16: WP 4 due; Brainstorming activities and assignment, WP5 Topics due (step 1)

Tue. Nov. 21: Meet in the library for source gathering

Thurs. Nov. 23: Class Canceled for Thanksgiving

Tue. Nov. 28: Three sources for essay five due at the beginning of class (Step 2); In-class assignment: supports for an argument

Thurs. Nov: 30: In class assignment: supports for an argument 2 (Step 3)

Tue. Dec. 5:  Workshop: Writing an Introduction to a thesis paper

Thurs. Dec 7:  Rough drafts due at the beginning of class (Step 4)

Tues. Dec. 12: We will meet in our regular classroom from 11:00-1:00.  Essay five is due at the beginning of the period.