Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ENGL 0090 - Introduction to Writing

Credits: 4
Hours/Week: Lecture NoneLab None
Course Description: This composition course emphasizes foundational principles of writing, including focus, development, organization, clarity, unity, and coherence in paragraphs and brief essays. Students will practice how to generate documents that are understandable for audiences, including how to identify and correct common errors. Emphasis will be placed on increasing written fluency and responding to texts. Instructor-supervised use of the Writing Center, equivalent to one credit, is required for students enrolled in ENGL 0090 sections meeting fewer than four hours per week.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): Assessment score placement in ENGL 0090 or above or completion of ENGL 0080  with a grade of C or higher, and assessment score placement in RDNG 0950  or completion of RDNG 0900  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Basic computer skills

Major Content
  1. Writing Process(es)
    1. Invention
    2. Drafting
    3. Revision
      1. Identifying the kinds of feedback writers need
      2. Providing constructive criticism to other writers
      3. Using feedback from others to revise
    4. Editing/Proofreading
      1. Major marks of punctuation
      2. Grammar
      3. Correct and varied sentences
      4. Conventions
    5. Presentation
  2. Basic Rhetoric
    1. Purpose
    2. Audience
    3. Using purpose and audience to guide writing choices
  3. Paragraphs
    1. Creating unified paragraphs
    2. Developing paragraphs
    3. Creating coherence within paragraphs
  4. Essays
    1. Responding to varied assignments
    2. Focus / Thesis
    3. Support / Development
    4. Basic structure (beginning, middle, end)
  5. Responding to texts
    1. Reading as a writer
    2. Identifying the main point
    3. Identifying strategies of support
    4. Introduction to purpose for and appropriate use of documentation
      1. Distinguishing student¿s words from others¿ words
      2. Avoiding plagiarism

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. write clear, correct, effective, and varied sentences in paragraphs and brief essays.
  2. organize and develop coherent and unified paragraphs in the context of brief essays.
  3. employ a writing process involving invention, drafting, revision, and editing to compose brief essays.
  4. write brief essays with a beginning, middle, and end.
  5. participate in critical thinking about texts, including offering feedback on writing in progress.


Courses and Registration



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