Writing for School & Work

Syllabus Session: August 6 to September 26 Instructor: Contact Info: Daniel Graham 360-657-4058, Ext. 1807

Course Description This course is designed for students who want to improve their overall writing skills and are interested in entry-level office positions, continuing their education or advancing at work. This course begins with the basics of writing, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation. We will also practice the process of writing, including planning, creating, and revising written pieces for the most effective and concise communication. Students will keep a journal as well as a portfolio of all completed projects. Materials & Supplies Goodwill will provide notebooks, handouts, worksheets, and most other materials. We will do some work that may require computer access. We have a website for extra practice with the class content: http://marysvillejtewriting.weebly.com/ Website password: verb Students will have some access to computers during class. Goodwills drop-in computer lab will also be open from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Mondays through Thursdays. Students should provide their own pens and/or pencils. Attendance & Participation Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate in all class activities. Be respectful of all class colleagues and follow all classroom rules. If you must miss a class (or part of a class), please notify the instructor ahead of time if possible, or you can leave a phone message. In the case of unexpected illness, please notify the instructor that day. Course Completion Criteria In order to successfully complete this class, you must meet the attendance and participation expectations as well as demonstrate your proficiency in the following competencies: Building blocks of writing Correctly name and identify the parts of speech Improve spelling Use dictionary and thesaurus Punctuate correctly Demonstrate correct grammar The writing process Identify different types of written communication Plan an effective writing strategy Revise your writing Demonstrate proper proofreading techniques Keep a journal with regular entries Professional writing Write an informational paragraph Compose a business email Create a portfolio with all of your drafts and completed works

CLASSROOM AND COMPUTER LAB STANDARDS 1. Be respectful and professional. Show respect for yourself, your teacher, and other students. Lets have fun learning together! In particular, please: a. Wear respectful attire and attend to personal hygiene. If your personal presentation is interview-ready, all the better! b. Silence your cell phone. c. Refrain from eating at your computer station, and please drink only from lidded beverage containers. d. Refrain from sleeping. e. Be respectful of other people and their beliefs. 2. Come to class on time. If you do need to come in late, please enter as quietly as possible and try not to disturb the class. 3. Come to every class. It is very important that you make every effort to come to class. If you have to miss a class because of an emergency, please call us and leave a message if no one answers. If you do miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered and set up a time to cover what you missed. In a computer class, the information from class to class builds as you go. There will be no one-on-one tutoring to make up for classes lost. Please note: The current session has been shortened to six and one-half weeks instead of the usual eight weeks. Two unexcused absences, or three total absences, may be grounds for dismissal from the course. 4. Participate in all exercises. Try to complete all tasks yourself the best you can. It is okay to ask me for help or help your neighbor if they ask you. Please refrain from casual conversation during class time. 5. Please do not bring children to class or allow them to play unattended in the store. 6. Questions are welcomed at any point during class. However, we do need to keep the class moving. If your question does not get enough attention during class, please speak to me after class or before the next class and we can talk more. 7. If you must leave the classroom during class time (such as to use the restroom), please be as quiet as possible. 8. Cancellation of classes (fall and winter): If the Marysville School District closes because of weather, we will also cancel classes for the day. Please do not take any unnecessary risks due to weather to make it to class. If classes are cancelled for any other reason, I will try to contact you. 9. OPEN LABS: Open lab dates and times are posted on our main door. Please utilize labs to practice your skills, get extra help, or work on class or job search activities.

WELCOME TO GOODWILL!