Introduction to College English: Creative Nonfiction

Fall 2015

Mr. Miller (kmiller@csh.k12.ny.us – 631-367-6919)

Course Description:

This class is all about getting you ready to enter a collegiate-level English class. A major area of focus will be research. The goal is for you to leave this class extremely comfortable with all that comes along with writing an effective, well-composed, and engaging research paper.  We will also be working on our writing skills. Each student will work on developing his/her own personal writing voice and strengthening his/her ability to write in a variety of genres. In short, we will be getting extremely comfortable with the written word. Our reading skills will also be a prime concern this semester. We’ll be exposing ourselves to a plethora of non-fiction to help cultivate our critical reading abilities. Essentially, this year is about getting ready to read, write, think and express yourself in the years ahead.   

Grading (this is subject to change; it will be announced at some point of each quarter):

Participation and Classwork (25%): This class will only be as strong as the active participation of its members. A student who receives a high classwork grade will consistently and respectfully participate in class discussions and will come to each class with all required materials. Students need a separate binder for English (containing the following three sections: Non-fiction, Writing, Words) and a folder solely for English.

Journal and Homework (25%): Students will bring a bound journal (with the student’s name and “Intro to College English” on the cover) with them to every class and will be responding to questions and prompts, which will encourage them to think deeply and write reflectively about our reading, our world and our selves (all entries must be dated with the question itself written at the top). All homework must be completed before arriving to class. Absent students are responsible for the assignment. Homework will be graded on content (what you say) and execution (how you say it) with a check (100) for complete homework and a check minus (65) for incomplete or limited homework. Missing homeworks receive a 0. Student has one day to make up the homework for a 65. If not, it remains a 0.

Essays, Papers and Writing Assignments (25%): These in-class and out-of-class assignments will be given throughout the semester and are designed to prepare students for the writing tasks in college and beyond. There will also be optional extra-credit assignments.

Tests/Quizzes and Presentations (25%): Vocabulary, grammar, literature, etc.

Books We Will Be Using This Semester:

Non-Fiction: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Patterns for College Writing (textbook), selections from The Essay Connection (textbook), other selected essays.

Vocabulary: Selected words