Mt.

San Antonio College

English as a Second Language Department
Fall Semester 2009 (August 24rd – December 11th )

Class: Writing C Instructor: Sonia Ortega

Date: Tuesday & Thursday, 11:30 am – 1 pm Voice Mail: (909) 594-5611 ext. 3355
Location: Building 66 Room 283 E-mail: sortega@mtsac.edu

Course Description:
Advanced level students expand English reading and writing skills through interpretation of
authentic material and American style of composition. Attention is given to outlining, draft
writing, and editing techniques. Students will learn how to narrate personal histories, compare
cultural values, summarize articles, take notes, and edit.

Textbook and Materials:

⇒ Great Essays (Second Edition), Folse, Muchmore-Vokoun, & Solomon (available in class)
⇒ Notebook or notepaper
⇒ Vocabulary Notebook (will be explained on first day)

Class Activities
In this class you will practice paragraph writing, outlining, and essay writing. Each essay
assignment will include outlines, multiple drafts, and peer editing. You will also practice
summarizing written and spoken material, and students will maintain a vocabulary notebook.

Student Responsibilities:
∗ Come to class: Tell the instructor if you will be absent or if you will arrive late or leave early.
∗ Turn off your cell phone
∗ Be polite and respectful: Listen to the teacher and to fellow classmates when they are
speaking. Enter class quietly if you come late. Leave class quietly if you go home early.
∗ Bring your notebook to EVERY CLASS

Student Learning Outcomes

This course has two student learning outcomes. The first student learning outcome is to write an
outline for a comparison/contrast composition. The second is to summarize and respond to an
article in 2 to 3 paragraphs. Each assignment is graded on a rubric, with a maximum score of 12
points and a passing score of 8 points.

Counseling and Guidance:

The ESL office in Building 66 has a counselor/advisor available to help students with visa
information, entering Mt. SAC credit classes, problems in school, and other issues. If you need
to see a counselor/advisor, please make an appointment in the ESL office in Building 66.

College Mission
 Mt. San Antonio College
English as a Second Language Department
Fall Semester 2009 (August 24rd – December 11th )
The mission of Mt. SAC is to welcome all students and to support them in achieving their
personal, educational, and career goals in an environment of academic excellence.

Vision Statement
Continuing Education commits to providing educational opportunities for students from diverse
backgrounds who are seeking self-improvement, enhanced earning power, increased literacy
skills, and access to higher education and employment.

Student Learning Goals

The ESL department will prepare all ESL students to be:
1. Effective Communicators who
• Acquire reading and listening skills
• Speak and write to be understood
• Work productively as part of a team
• Use technology to express ideas
2. Critical Thinkers who
• Gather, organize, and analyze information from a variety of sources
• Form and express a logical opinion or conclusion
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills
• Apply knowledge to personal, professional, or academic situations
3. Lifelong Learners ho
• Apply strengths and improve weaknesses
• Learn and apply information or skills
• Participate productively in the community
4. Self-Directed Individuals who
• Set goals, establish, and implement of a plan of action
• Work independently
• Seek appropriate information and help
 Mt. San Antonio College
English as a Second Language Department
Fall Semester 2009 (August 24rd – December 11th )

Date Topic Notes

Week 1: 9/1, 9/3 Unit 1: Exploring the Essay Paragraph Practice
Introduction, Parts of an Essay
Week 2: 9/8, 9/10 Unit 2: Narrative Essays Essay #1: Outline
Outlines, Conclusions
Week 3: 9/15, 9/17 Unit 2 (cont’d) Essay #1: 1st Draft
Verb Tense
Week 4: 9/22, 9/24 Unit 3: Comparison Essays Essay #1: 2nd Draft
Brainstorming
Week 5: 9/29, 10/1 Unit 3 (cont’d) Essay #2: Outline
Patterns of Organization
Week 6: 10/6, 10/8 Unit 4: Cause-Effect Essays Essay #2: Draft
Supporting Information
Week 7: 10/27, 10/29 Unit 4 (cont’d) Essay #2: 2nd Draft
Cause-Effect Methods
Week 8: 11/3, 11/5 Unit 4 (cont’d) Essay #3: Outline
Sequencing Paragraphs
Week 9: 11/10, 11/12 Unit 5: Argumentative Essays Essay #3: Draft
Word Choice
Week 10: 11/17, 11/19 Unit 5: Argumentative Essays Essay #3: 2nd Draft
Word Choice
Week 11: 11/24, 11/26 Unit 5: Argumentative Essays Complete any unfinished
Word Choice assignments
Week 12: 12/1, 12/3 Review and Party!

Syllabus subject to change with notice from the instructor.