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You will be evaluated on a portfolio of your
writing done over the year. This includes the compositions you do
and your journal.
1. Journal
You will write a journal which will count for
30% of your marks each term (see the Journal
sheet).
2. Essay Tests
- Communicative writing will not have any required
essay tests this year.
- Essay tests are not a good way of testing
your writing ability, but they are good practice if you plan to
take a test such as the Test of Written English (TWE).
- Students who would like to practice writing
under test-like conditions should see me to arrange a mock test.
- Educational Testing Services (ETS) has a collection
of sample
questions from the Test of
Written English (TWE). If you would like a copy, ask me in class.
3. Portfolio
- During the term, you will write compositions
on topics you choose.
- You will use several ways of revising compositions.
- You will use a check-list to review your own
compositions. Other students will read your compositions, make
comments and ask questions.
- The teacher will make suggestions, ask questions
and mark mistakes in your compositions.
- You will revise your compositions based on
classmates' suggestions, the teacher's suggestions, and your own
ideas.
- During the term I will not grade your compositions
(i.e., put A, B, C, D, etc. on them).
- You will keep all of your compositions you
write. Together with your journal they make up your portfolio.
Keep them in an envelope, folder, clear pocket file, or on disk.
- At the end of the year I will give you a grade
based on the portfolio of work you have done during the year.
- These essays will be 70% of your mark each
term, so be very careful not to lose them.
4. Materials
- Two B-5 size notebooks for your journal (Students
planning on submitting compositions electronically will not need
journal notebooks).
- Loose-leaf paper for compositions.
- A folder, envelope, or clear pocket file for
your writing.
- A cassette tape of 60 minutes length (it need
not be new).
- A Walkman style tape player.
5. Composition Revision
- I will use the tape you give me to respond
to your composition.
- Give me your tape at the same time as you
turn in your composition.
- At the beginning of each class, I will return
your tape with my comments.
- Listen to my comments and make the necessary
changes to your composition.
- If you don't understand something I have said,
or think I have misunderstood what you have written, say something
to me.
- If you wish to keep all of the comments I
make, be sure to stop your tape at the end of my comments each
week and I will continue recording from that point.
6. Grading
- All of you enter this class with different
writing abilities.
- My goal in this course is to start with your
current writing level and challenge you to improve.
- If you do your journal each week, attend class
regularly, show that you have written throughtful compositions,
and work hard on improving your writing, you will receive an A.
Submitting Compositions
- Between the end of class on the second and
fourth Saturdays and at least two days before the next class, students
must submit their composition.
- Students may submit compositions in class,
by mail or by e-mail.
- The teacher will also send assignments by
mail or e-mail to students who are unable to attend a class and
who cannot access this web site.
- BE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMPOSITIONS IN THE REQUIRED
FORMAT
Textbooks
All students must have a good English learner's
English-English Dictionary such as:
- The Cambridge International Dictionary of
English,
- The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English,
- The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary,
- The Collins Cobuild Dictionary.
Note:
Students who have a good English-English dictionary
need not buy a new one.
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