College Composition

Content/Topics/Learning Goals

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

1st/ 3rd Quarter- 

• We will work on the essay and its parts - the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

• We will review an essay’s line of reasoning.

• We will work on integrating quotations and citations.  

• We will write a potential college entrance/narrative essay.  Students may use the essay when applying to schools.  We will stress using facts & quotes within the writing.

• We will critique arguments.  We will identify a claim, locate evidence, assess whether the reasoning is valid, and form an opinion. We will also review the writing process.  To be successful with the multiple papers students will need to do at the next level, they must have an organizational plan.  The writing process allows it.

• We will study logical fallacies.

• We will work on the partner paper to practice writing; it will then be presented to the class. 

NOTE: At some point in the third quarter, we may introduce the literature response paper mentioned below; if students need more time to work on their writing, we have also done a literary analysis of an item they have already read. 

2nd/4th Quarter- 

• We will begin writing a solo persuasive essay. We will review and write in-text citations and works cited pages.  We will write a persuasive essay that includes all MLA formatting, develops an argument, uses citations, correctly sets the paper’s format, and has a works cited page.  To be successful with research papers, students must organize ideas in a good format. This essay will need a minimum of three sources

• We will work on our synthesis essay.

• We will work on answering college essay question prompts.

• Students will select a nonfiction book (not on a phone) that is at least 125 pages in length and is manageable.  A book that is too long may become hard to manage depending on a student’s reading speed.  The book should not have been read in any other class.  A good place to start would be to search “college freshman books” and select one of the titles you find interesting.  If these do not work, here is a list of many, many more: Amazon Best Sellers: Best Teen & Young Adult Books.  NOTE: some titles listed are fiction; this is a nonfiction assignment.  Still stuck?  Some other workable titles might be The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens, The Success Principles for Teens: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, and What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens, Third Edition: Discover Yourself, Design Your Future, and Plan for Your Dream Job.  Please don’t feel limited to these titles.  Students will read and annotate the self-selected book and have a writing assignment on the book.  

• We will begin writing a second solo persuasive essay. We will review and write in-text citations and works cited pages.  We will write a persuasive essay that includes all MLA formatting, develops an argument, uses citations, correctly sets the paper’s format, and has a works cited page.  To be successful with research papers, students must organize ideas in a good format. This essay will need a minimum of six sources and serve as our final. 

• If we have time, we will work on a grammar group project that focuses on parts of speech, complete subjects, complete predicates, phrases, clauses, sentences, verb tenses, pronouns, adjectives/adverbs, and punctuation. 

• If we have time, we will write a potential college entrance/narrative essay about a hero.  Students may use the essay when applying to schools.  We will stress using facts & quotes within the writing.

• If we have time, students will apply for a scholarship through our scholarship project in hopes that they might qualify for college money to help fund their education.