High School/ College Preparatory Composition

Grade Breakdown

13 Homework assignments/ in class participation-40% of grade

2 SAT Prep in class assignments 20% of grade

1 Final SAT in class writing assignment 10% of grade

Final Paper 30% of grade

Writing Assignment

Write your name, as well as what you would prefer me to call you.

What do you think the following poem means (can you relate; do you disagree)?

“Dreams”- Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreamsFor if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

The Writing Process

The “writing process” outlines the different aspects (can also be thought of as phases) that are necessary to write successfully.

Brainstorming (prewriting)- “technique of solving specific problems,

amassing information, stimulating creative thinking, developing new ideas”

Drafting- The actual application of ideas generated

through brainstorming into writing

Peer Review (Maybe)- Drafts are shared amongst peers for suggestions to

improve the draft. Revision- writers make structural or major changes to the draft

they are working on. Ideas may change direction and organization of the paper may be altered.

Editing- changes to the draft, at this point, are largely superficial.

Focus is on grammar, mechanics, and punctuation.Publishing/ Sharing- Final draft is submitted for grading or publication.

The Writing Process We Are Taught

A More Realistic Writing Process

Why Do We Write?

Three main purposes:

Inform

Persuade

Entertain

Though writing is usually an amalgamation of these three purposes, one is clearly dominant.

Audience Consideration

Who is the author trying to address? What is the specific group of people that the text is aimed at?

Rhetorical Appeals that come with Writing

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher who believed there were three ways to persuade an audience: by use of proofs or evidence, by appealing to emotions, and through the credibility of the speaker.

Ethos- deals with the credibility or trustworthiness of the author. It establishes integrity, trustworthiness, competency, and respect for its audience.

Pathos- is related to the word “empathy” and deals with the emotional appeal used in an argument or presentation. It elicits an emotional response

Logos- is related to the word “logic” and deals with the logic of the argument or presentation. It elicits a cognitive response.

Quick Review of Major Punctuation Marks

From Nitty-Gritty Grammar, Fine and Josephson

Period (.)=Stop Sign- Come to a full stop. Then go on.

Comma (,)= Flashing Yellow Light (Yield)- Slow down, look left and right, then continue.

Semicolon (;)= Flashing Red Light- Stop briefly; forge ahead.

Colon (:)= Arrow or Road Sign- Listen up! What follows explains or adds information

Parentheses and Dashes ( ) - =Detour- Take a quick detour –then proceed.

Homework

Students will write reflectively about their own writing process and areas they want to improve as writers. This assignment will be one page long (250 words), double spaced, and 12pt. Times New Roman font.