Classes of English & Communication
ESL-092-M01 Intermediate Written Expression
Credits: 1.0
Prerequisite: Placement TWE Exam
Course Objectives
The aim of this course is to study the essay writing process, structures and skills involved when writing a well-supported academic essay. While the course will focus on preparing for the TWE exam, its purpose is to aid students in improving their level of English in order to handle academic study at the college level.
Course Description
This course will look at several structural elements involved in writing such as organization, grammar and voice. In addition, the course will focus on developing students’ creativity and critical thinking skills as well as their own identity as a writer. Students will work on learning about and expressing their own writing strengths and needs and setting their own writing goals. Students will also serve as a support for each other’s writing through peer review and critique.
Grading Policy
The course is graded on Pass or No Pass.
Class participation 25%
Assignments/portfolio 25%
Classwork 25%
Exams 25%
Attendance, class participation and completion of homework are required of all students without exception. Students are required to keep a folder where they will save all of their writing and revisions. The professor will periodically collect these folders and assess students based on their growth and development over the semester. This means that students will be accountable for demonstrating their growth over time.
Those students who demonstrate unsatisfactory performance will be notified by the professor and reminded that continued absences and problems will jeopardize their opportunity to continue their academic studies at Saint Louis University. More than six unexcused absences may result in an automatic “no pass”. Students will need to achieve the required level of proficiency in English by the end of their 3rd. semester, or they will not be allowed to take other academic courses at the university.
Academic dishonesty can lead to disciplinary probation, suspension or dismissal. Please refer to the Saint Louis University catalog (p. 52) for a more detailed description.
Course Outline
Week One
Introductions
Self-Assessments
Text Analysis: The paragraph (in relation to the essay)
Exercise: Writing a descriptive paragraph
Week Two
Descriptive Writing: adding modifiers,
lexical verbs, specific detail, texture
Adjectives
Metaphors
Assignment: Short Descriptive Essay
Week Three
Writing Introductions
Brainstorming
Argument
Assignment: Write 4 introductions
Week Four
Writing Paragraphs: Unity and coherence
Restatements
TWE Practice
Week Five
Transitions and transitional sentences
Self-assessments
TWE Practice
Week Six
Midterm Exam
Writing Conclusions
Assignment: Write 2 conclusions
Week Seven
Writing about advantages and disadvantages
Assignment: Advantage/disadvantage essay
TWE
Week Eight
Revision and Editing
Rewrite TWE
Week Nine
Process/Explanation Essay
TWE
Assignment: Process essay
Week Ten
Comparative Essay
Prepositions and phrasal verbs
Assignment: TWE Comparative Essay
Week Eleven
Writing longer texts
Intensive TWE practice
Assignment: Final self-assessment
Week Twelve
Revision and TWE practice
TOEFL and TWE Exams
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