Course Title: Developmental Writing (non-credit)
Description:
This course examines basic principles of effective college-level writing through drafting and revising sentences, paragraphs, and essays. Topics to improve sentence structure and clarity include grammar, punctuation, and word choice.
This is a non-credit course that prepares the student for college level writing.
In addition to learning proper research techniques, students explore various writing genres including narration, cause and effect, compare and contrast, definition, and argumentation.
Goals:
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Appreciate the skill of writing as form of critical thinking.
- Describe the steps in the writing process.
- Define "draft" and identify key differences between writing a first and final draft.
- Revise paragraphs and essays to be clear and concise.
- Edit sentences to improve clarity and eliminate errors.
- Use appropriate and vivid word choices to express ideas.
- Develop and explain the differences between a topic sentence and a thesis statement.
- Develop sensory details and write a descriptive narrative paragraph.
- Create a relationship between causes and effects; write a cause and effect paragraph.
- Develop a strong definition paragraph through contrast, explanation, and other techniques.
- Write a comparison and contrast essay using subject-by-subject or point-by-point methods.
- Compose an original argument essay that acknowledges and appeals to the audience's viewpoint.
- Identify and describe the main factors for developing a good résumé and cover letter.
- Respond to essay exam prompts clearly and concisely.
- Explain the research process and conduct research to explore a specific topic.
Grading System:
StraighterLine does not apply letter grades. Students earn a score as a percentage of 100%. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
There are a total of 417 points in the course:
| Topic | Assessment | Points Available |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graded Quiz: Grammar | 12 |
| 2 | Graded Quiz: Word Use | 14 |
| 3 | Graded Quiz: Sentence Types | 20 |
| 4 | Graded Quiz: Audience, Tone, and Purpose | 13 |
| 4 | Graded Quiz: Narrative Paragraph and Structure | 6 |
| 4 | Graded Quiz: Paragraph Structure | 18 |
| 5 | Graded Quiz: Audience, Tone, Purpose, and Word Choices | 12 |
| 6 | Graded Quiz: Organization, Support, and Unity | 11 |
| 7 | Graded Quiz: Thesis, Details, and Introduction/Conclusion | 11 |
| 8 | Descriptive Narrative Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 8 | Graded Quiz: Descriptive Narrative | 5 |
| 9 | Definition Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 9 | Graded Quiz: Definition | 17 |
| 10 | Cause and Effect Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 10 | Graded Quiz: Cause and Effect, Part 1 | 9 |
| 10 | Graded Quiz: Cause and Effect, Part 2 | 8 |
| 11 | Graded Quiz: Essay Structure | 17 |
| 11 | Graded Quiz: Pronouns | 8 |
| 11 | Graded Quiz: Transitions | 10 |
| 11 | Graded Quiz: Essay Development | 10 |
| 12 | Comparison and Contrast Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 12 | Graded Quiz: Comparison and Contrast | 11 |
| 13 | Essay Exam Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 13 | Graded Quiz: Essay Exams | 12 |
| 14 | Graded Quiz: Résumés | 5 |
| 14 | Graded Quiz: Cover Letters | 6 |
| 15 | I-Search Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 15 | Graded Quiz: Research | 22 |
| 16 | Argumentative Writing Assignment | 21 |
| 16 | Graded Quiz: Argument | 13 |
School Description:
Featured in Business Week, Forbes and the New York Times, StraighterLine offers for credit, online college courses in math, writing, accounting, and economics -- required for all degrees -- for $99 per month + $39 per course.
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These courses are:
- Accepted at thousands of colleges.
- Self-paced and can be started at any time.
- Supported by live, online tutoring up to 24/7.
- 100% online.
StraighterLine courses are real courses that receive real credit from accredited universities. StraighterLine courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). Most colleges will accept ACE recommended courses for credit. Check with the college in which you would like to eventually enroll.
