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English (ENGL) 255

Introductory Composition  (Revision 6)

ENGL 255

Revision 6 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version

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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online or grouped study

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Humanities

Prerequisite: Students who have not done any formal writing for some time or who feel that their basic skills might be weak should consider taking ENGL 155 or, for ESL needs, ENGL 177 or ENGL 187. Students who feel uncertain which course to choose may consult the course coordinator.

Télé-université du Québec equivalency: ANG 4005: Effective Written Communication

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences

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ENGL 255 has a Challenge for Credit option.

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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 a brief introductory assignment, write two short summaries, participate in online discussion forums, and complete three essays 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: Writing Paragraphs

Unit 2: Writing to an Audience: Discussion forum

Unit 3: Writing a Summary

Unit 4: Writing an Essay and Incorporating Research

Unit 5: Writing an Argumentative Essay

Unit 6: Writing a Rhetorical 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:

Assignment Weight Value Length Requirement (double spaced)
1. Writing Paragraphs 0% Two paragraphs of 9-12 sentences each
2. Writing to an Audience: Discussion Forum 15% See Unit 2
3. Writing a Summary 10% Two summaries of 9-12 sentences each
4. Writing an Essay and Incorporating Research 15% 1000-1200 words
5. Writing an Argumentative Essay 20% 1000-1200 words
6. Writing a Rhetorical Analysis 20% 1000-1200 words
Final Exam 20%  
Total 100%  

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

Brundage, David & Michael Lahey.  Acting on Words: an Integrated Rhetoric, Reader, and Handbook. Toronto: Pearson, 2011.

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.

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 rhetorical analysis essay and the examination.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Exam Total
50% 50% 100%

Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form

If you are interested in the English 255 Challenge for Credit option, please e-mail the Challenge Coordinator, Adien Dubbelboer, at adiend@athabascau.ca.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

Opened in Revision 6, September 11, 2012.

View previous syllabus

 

Last updated by SAS  07/07/2014 16:42:09