ENGL125 Academic Writing I Page 1 of 10

School of Education and Humanities

Department of Language and Communication
P.O. Box 175, Port of Spain,
Trinidad, W.I.

Course Outline

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
- ENGL125: Academic Writing I
- 3 Credits
- M ENGL125-02# 1:40 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. LH3
- Th ENGL125-01# 10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. LH6
- Th ENGL125-05# 4:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. LH3

- This course explores the basics of essay construction, from sentence to paragraph, focusing on
expository methods.
- Students must know the basics of grammar while engaging with course content.
- This is a blended course and will be conducted in both a face-to-face and online environment.
This means that students must avail themselves of computer and internet access. Basic computer
literacy, especially in the use of Microsoft Word, is obligatory.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
- Jay-Bonny King
- Lecturer
- School of Education and Humanities: Department of Language and Communication EXT 2407
- E-mail address: jay@usc.edu.tt
- Office Hours: Mon—11a.m.-1 p.m. Thurs—12:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
- Communication Policy – Please contact me via given e-mail address with any concerns and
queries concerning the course. Remember you are sending professional, not informal,
communication, thus Standard English must be used.

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE/COURSE RATIONALE

- This is the first of two writing courses designed to prepare all students, across faculties,
for successful academic writing. It is the prerequisite for Academic Writing II: ENGL225. This course
examines specific strategies of composition as they pertain to expository writing. It also emphasizes the
need for the use of Standard English grammatical patterns within formal academic writing. Successful
completion of this course will facilitate the transfer of the knowledge and skills acquired to all other
undergraduate courses pursued by the student.

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LETTER TO THE STUDENT

Dear Students,

Welcome to Academic Writing  You have chosen a noble task.

In Fundamentals of Christian Education, EG White states, “God has intrusted to each one capacities and
powers, that they may be returned to Him enlarged and improved. All His gifts are granted to us to be
used to the utmost. He requires every one of us to cultivate our powers, and attain the highest possible
capacity for usefulness, that we may do noble work for God, and bless humanity”. (82)
Let all that you learn in this course, and in your university sojourn, be a blessing to others.

Ms Jay-Bonny King.

GOALS/AIMS

- The aim of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to produce
writing appropriate to tertiary level studies.
- Students will understand that information gleaned can and should be used beyond this course.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES (Modules/Unit Learning Outcomes)

By the end of the course students will be able to:

1. List the stages of the Writing Process.

2. Distinguish between formal and informal writing.
3. Practice basic research skills.
4. Distinguish among the different types of expository writing.
5. Identify the defining characteristics of each method.
6. Construct a Topic Sentence Outline.
7. Create parallel thesis statements.
8. Identify the structure of a formal essay.
9. Develop sound paragraphs.
10. Develop the ability to paraphrase and summarize.
11. Edit essay drafts.
12. Write an expository essay.

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COURSE CONTENT

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TEACHING STRATEGIES

- Lectures, Group Work, Discussion. Projects, Independent Study, etc.

RESOURCES

- Handouts
- Internet and other electronic resources:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/category/grammar/

ASSIGNMENTS

- A diagnostic essay
- Two quizzes which evaluate course material covered. These are conducted within the first four
weeks and last two weeks of the semester.
- Group work and presentation based on formal and informal writing.
- One outline and one body paragraph, and one group essay. Students chose the topic and method
of development.
- A final exam consisting of an outline and an essay using any one of the developmental methods.

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COURSE ASSESSMENT

TYPE DESCRIPTION DUE DATE

Diagnostic Essay *One page essay based on given
SEPT. 03 & 06
10% topic

Quiz 1 Writing Process, Formal & Informal

OCT. 08-11
10% Writing, and Sentence Boundaries

Analysis OR Classification Topic Sentence Outline and Body

NOV. 05-08
10% Paragraph
Cause OR Effect
NOV. 19-22
20% Group Essay

End of Semester Quiz

10% Structure-Methods NOV. 26-29

Final Exam Topic Sentence Outline &

40% an essay, 500-700 words SEE FINAL EXAM
in length, using ONE of SCHEDULE
the taught methods

*Students who do not achieve a score of 75% and over on the diagnostic essay will be required to attend the
Writing Centre for a period to be determined by the lecturer. At the end of the sessions at the Centre, students
will complete a written assessment worth 10%. Please note that once referred, attendance is obligatory and
subject to the rules and service charge associated with the Writing Centre.

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COURSE CALENDAR

Day and Date Topic Assignment/Activity Due Date

WEEK 1 Introduction to Course Introduction to Course SEPT. 03 & 06
Diagnostic Essay
WEEK 2 The Writing Process Library Orientation SEPT. 10 & 13
Formal & Informal Writing:
Code Switching

WEEK 3 Sentence Construction Introductory Paragraph

Components
Sentence Boundaries
WEEK 4 Structure of Essay Presentations: SEPT. 24 & 27
Formal-Informal
Thesis Statement: Parallelism
WEEK 5 Thesis Statement Components

WEEK 6 Expository Method: Analysis by Division QUIZ:

Paragraph Development QUIZ 1 OCT. 08-11

WEEK 7 MID-SEMESTER BREAK MID-SEMESTER OCT. 17-19

BREAK
WEEK 8 Expository Method: Classification

WEEK 9 Topic Sentence Outline Components

WEEK 10 Expository Method: Cause

ASSIGNMENT DUE Analysis OR NOV. 05-08
Classification Outline
& Body Paragraph

WEEK 11 Expository Method: Effect

WEEK 12 ASSIGNMENT DUE Cause OR Effect NOV. 19-22

Group Essay

WEEK 13 Last Week of Classes

Quiz 2 NOV. 26-29
End of Semester Quiz

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
University Policies:
- Attendance Policy/Regulations (USC Bulletin 2010-2012, pg. 15)
- Grading Policy (USC Bulletin 2010-2012, pg. 16)
- Plagiarism (USC Student Handbook, pg. 47)
- In this course 1 mark equals 1 percent. Students are therefore advised to complete all
assignments as instructed in order to perform well in the course.
- Student assessment in this course is based on performance. Students are therefore asked
to comply with all the stipulated deadline and instructions for assignments and their
submissions.
- Students who breach guidelines as outlined by the instructor or university will affect their
assessment.
- The mere submission of assignments is not a guarantee of a favourable assessment,
neither is frequent attendance. The timeliness and quality of assignments is also critical
to ensure high marks.
- ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE PRINTED THEN SUBMITTED IN CLASS.
STUDENTS MUST SIGN FOR SUBMISSION.
- No late assignments or e-mailed assignments will be accepted.
- This course is a mandatory course for graduation. Students who fail to secure a
passing grade will be required to redo the course.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MAKE UP CLASSES FOR MISSED SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON
SUNDAYS.

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GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system of the university:

Letter % Grade
Grade Pt.
Value per Definition Description
Credit
A 100- 4.0 1. Excellent mastery of course content, evidence of
90 extensive background reading. 2. Excellent performance in
analysis, synthesis and critical expression, oral or written. 3.
Excellent performance in analysis, synthesis and critical
A- 89-85 3.67 expression, oral or written. 4. Student works independently
or in groups as is required with unusual effectiveness

Excellent
B+ 84-80 3.33 1. Very good mastery of course content, evidence of
substantial background reading. 2. Student performance
indicates a high degree of originality, creativity and problem-
B 79-75 3.0 solving skills. 3. Very good performance in analysis,
synthesis and critical expression, oral or written. 4. Student
Very
works very well independently or in groups as is required.
B- 74-70 2.67
Good
C+ 69-65 2.33 1. Acceptable mastery of course content, evidence of some
background reading. 2. Students demonstrate some degree
of originality, creativity and problem-solving skills. 3.
Acceptable performance in analysis, synthesis and critical
C 64-60 2.0 expression, oral or written.

4. Student works independently or in groups at an

Satisfactory acceptable level
1. Unacceptable mastery of course content, very little
evidence of background reading. 2. Students demonstrate
little degree of originality, creativity and problem-solving
skills. 3. Unacceptable performance in analysis, synthesis
and critical expression, oral or written. 4. Students display
C- 59-55 1.67 Unsatisfactory
unacceptable level of proficiency in working independently
or in groups.
1. Deficient in mastery of course content, no evidence of
background reading. 2. Originality, creativity and problem
solving skills absent from performance. 3. Deficient
performance in analysis, synthesis and critical expression,
oral or written. 4. Deficient in ability to work independently
D 54-50 1.33 Deficient and in groups.
1. No comprehension or grasp of course content, no
evidence of background reading. 2. Originality, creativity and
problem solving skills totally absent from performance. 3.
Unacceptable performance in analysis, synthesis and critical
expression, oral or written.

4. Displays neither aptitude nor ability to work independently

F 49 -0 0.0 Unacceptable
or in groups.

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Other Meaning Description

Grades
AU Auditing Classes Registration for attendance only. Permission to audit a class must be
granted by the instructor.
UA Unsatisfactory Audit This grade is given to students who are auditing a class but fail to
attend at least 80% of classes.
I Incomplete Student’s work is incomplete because of illness or unavoidable
circumstances, but not because of negligence or inferior performance.
DG Deferred Grade A DG may be given in certain courses recognized to be of such a
nature that all their requirements are not likely to be completed within
one semester. A DG will be changed to the letter grade earned by the
end of the following semester
W Withdrew A grade awarded for a student who dropped a course and went through
all the necessary paperwork /process
DWP Dropped Without A grade awarded for a course that was dropped without going through
Processing all the paperwork/process needed.
S Satisfactory Performance indicating a passing grade, used only for specific
courses (See Bulletin)
U Unsatisfactory Performance below a passing grade, used only for specific
courses (See Bulletin)

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE

- Take proper notes

- Read all required material
- Should any problems arise, communicate with your lecturer in a timely manner

Happy learning!

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

Undergraduate Course Outline: Revised September 2018