English (ENGL) 255

Overview

ENGL 255 focuses on essay writing at the university level. In order to improve the necessary skills, students study examples of good writing, do two short summaries, participate in critical exchanges (if possible, these are done online with other course students), and complete four other short writing assignments covering a spectrum of styles and purposes. The course is designed to recognize students’ personal interests, objectives, and learning styles and to provide flexible scheduling options.

ENGL 255 provides some grammar review but assumes at least a senior high school level of competency in both grammar and composition.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to

• summarize essays.
• use effective research methods and proper documentation technique.
• adapt to various writing requirements calling for a range of rhetorical approaches.
• think and write critically.
• write effective essays meeting first-year university expectations for content, organization, style, mechanics, and grammar.

Outline

Unit 1: Diagnostic Activities

Unit 2: Summaries

Unit 3: Critical Exchange

Unit 4: Special Project

Unit 5: Writing an Essay Using Sources

Unit 6: Argumentation

Unit 7: A Critical Analysis

Evaluation

To receive credit for ENGL 255, receive “D” (50 percent) or higher on the examination and an overall average of “D” (50 percent) or higher to pass the course. Assignments not submitted by the course contract completion date (end of active registration) receive a grade of 0. The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:

Note: Weighting in most grouped-study offerings is somewhat altered to accommodate a classwork component.

The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbooks

Other materials

In addition to these texts you will need a dictionary suitable for university study. English Language Support materials are available online.

If you need writing help, contact the Write Site.

Challenge for Credit Course Overview

The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.

Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
• Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures

Challenge Evaluation

To receive credit for the ENGL 255 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on both the critical essay and the examination.

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

• Challenge for Credit Form