SLO - EN120A Expository Writing I

Course Number: EN120A
Course Title: Expository Writing I

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

General

Students will be able to:

1. utilize all stages of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising when composing academic papers
2. construct a thesis.
3. develop the thesis using various expository modes to explain or analyze:
    a. example.
    b. comparison/contrast.
    c. classification.
    d. cause/effect analysis.
    e. process analysis.

4. develop a thesis by applying elements of argumentation and persuasion.
5. illustrate an awareness of the concepts of audience, purpose and tone.
6. draft a composition that exhibits unity, coherence and logical organization of information.
7. utilize word processing software such as MS Word to format, draft, save, revise, and print compositions. Also, monitor spelling,
   grammar, and mechanics through the use of electronic technology.

Specific

Students will be able to:

The Essay

1. identify principles of essay organization (introduction, developmental paragraphs, conclusion) and define the purpose and
     characteristics of each type of paragraph.
2. compose a thesis statement that expresses an opinion, attitude, or idea, and limits the topic to one controlling idea.

Example Essay

1. analyze reading selections which illustrate effective number and choice of examples.
2. compose a thesis requiring examples to develop the topic.
3. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas.
4. plan the essay determining an appropriate number of examples for adequate development of the thesis.
5. include examples that are fair and representative to effectively support the thesis.
6. organize examples logically according to time, familiarity and/or importance.
7. connect ideas between paragraphs with coherence devices such as
a. transitional expressions.
b. repetition of key words and phrases.
8. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
9. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
10. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.

Comparison & Contrast Essay

1. analyze reading selections which illustrate patterns of organization and points of comparison.
2. develop a thesis designed to persuade, explain or inform.
3. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas.
4. restrict points of comparison/contrast to 2-4 significant, interesting and insightful points to support central idea
5. confine emphasis to comparison or contrast
6. select from two basic patterns of organization a. point by point b. block (all of one/all of the other)
7. include coherence devices such as
    a. transitions in phrases
    b. coordinating conjunctions
    c. transitional expressions between sentences.
8. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
9. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
10. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.

Classification Essay

1. analyze reading selections that illustrate the common principles of classification.
    a. degree (inferior to superior)
    b. chronology
    c. location
2. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas.
3. determine appropriate categories, and assign members.
4. develop a thesis statement that limits the essay to one appropriate principle of classification.
5. compose a turnabout introduction for the essay.
6. support the thesis with developmental paragraphs that state
    a. a description or definition of the category
    b. examples of typical members of the category
7. Include coherence devices such as
    a. transitions for classification
    b. correlative conjunctions
8. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
9. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
10. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.

Process Analysis Essay

1. analyze reading selections to determine the difference between two types of process essays:
    a. directional -instructs or directs
    b. informational - explains or analyses
2. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas
3. plan the essay to include c. consideration of audience d. chronological organization of steps
4. develop a persuasive thesis that identifies a process analysis.
5. organize the essay to include
    a. an introduction which introduces the process, and establishes the purpose for writing about the process
    b. a dramatic entrance to generate interest in the reader
    c. developmental paragraphs that includes all steps in the process and groups steps logically
    d. a conclusion that discusses the results of the process
6. employ coherence devices such as
    a. participial phrases as transitions
    b. adverbial clauses of time and purpose to clarify time relationships
7. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
8. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
9. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.

Cause and Effect Analysis Essay

1. analyze reading selections which illustrate three main types of cause-and-effect organization
2. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas
3. develop a thesis on a topic which illustrates one of the types of cause-and effect organization
    a. causal analysis
         i. with unrelated causes organized according to either order of familiarity (obvious to less obvious) or order of interest
           (less interesting to more interesting)
        ii. related causes organized from immediate (direct) to remote (indirect)
    b. effect analysis
         i. effects organized according to either order of importance or from immediate to remote
    c. causal chain
         i. related steps organized in a linked chain of causes and effects
4. employ coherence devices such as
    a. transitions of cause and effect
    b. coordinating conjunctions
    c. transitional expressions between sentences
5. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
6. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
7. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.

Argumentative Essay

1. analyze reading selections which illustrate an arguable thesis supported by evidence.
2. use prewriting techniques to generate ideas
3. state a persuasive thesis on a topic which can be argued.
4. develop the argument with reasons and other appropriate support
5. refute opposing arguments.
6. incorporate reliable data that has been objectively proved such as historical facts, scientific data, statistics and so on.
    a. interpret and synthesize information from a minimum of three (3) sources to support a position.
    b. paraphrase, summarize and quote a minimum of three (3) sources using MLA documentation style.
    c. create a Works Cited following MLA documentation style.
7. read and respond to other students' work in peer review process.
8. revise the content and edit the compositions for grammar and mechanics.
9. submit multiple drafts to meet criteria stated by instructor.