English 24: College Grammar
Section 72959
Instructor: Dr. Karen Rose Class room: P104
Office: P103 Class time: Tuesdays
Phone:
562-938-4099 Course
web site: www.skidandkaren.com
E-mail:
Office hours: Mondays
2-3, Thursdays 9-10, and
by appointment
Course Description
English 24 is a three-unit
class in college-level grammar. It is
recommended for students who wish to strengthen their knowledge of grammar in
order to improve their skill in writing and speaking in Standard English. It is also recommended for people who need a
strong knowledge of grammar, usage, and mechanics for professional
purposes. You’ll learn to think about
language and to talk about it, to understand and sharpen your own language
skills and, if your future plans include teaching, to help others understand
and sharpen theirs.
Textbook
Grammar for Language Arts Teachers, Alice Calderonello et al,
Course Requirements
- Regular and punctual attendance
- Participation in class discussion and
activities
- Homework assignments (exercises from our
textbook and other sources)
- Six quizzes
- Cumulative final exam
Attendance
I will take attendance at the
beginning of class everyday. I expect
you to arrive on time, bring your textbook to class, and be prepared to
participate in class discussions and activities. Your failure to fulfill these expectations
will adversely affect your grade. Please
make note of the following rules:
·
If you miss four class meetings, I will drop you
from the class.
·
If you arrive after attendance is taken, you are
tardy. Three tardies count as one
absence.
·
In-class work missed during an absence cannot be
made up.
Missed homework and quizzes
If you miss class and are
unable to hand in your homework, it is your responsibility to get it to me as
soon as possible. You can bring it to my
office or put it in my mailbox in the English Department office. Points will be deducted for late
homework. Make-up quizzes are not allowed.
If you are absent on the day of a quiz, or if you arrive to class late
and miss a quiz, you will receive a grade of zero for that quiz.
Grading
Quizzes 60%
Homework 10%
Attendance and participation in
class discussion & activities 10%
Final Exam 20%
Classroom conduct
Treat your classmates as you
woul
Resources
Take advantage of the resources
available to help you succeed in this class:
·
Me: I am dedicated to helping each of you succeed
in this class and achieve your academic goals.
I understand that grammar is a complex and intimidating subject for many
college students. If you feel that you need extra assistance, please come to my office
hours or make an appointment to see me.
I will be happy to help you!
·
Writing and
·
Computer Labs: The English Department Computer Lab is
located in P111 and is available to all students currently enrolled in an
English course. The Open Access Computer
Lab is located in the south wing of the 2nd floor of the Library
Building (L208). It is free to use the
computers for word processing or to access the Internet. Printing costs 10˘ per page. For more information, call 562-938-4852, or
visit the web site: http://clas.lbcc.cc.ca.us/openaccess1.html
·
Our class web site: At the web site, you will find the syllabus
and other course handouts, as well as links to sites that will help you. Please visit http://www.skidandkaren.com. Click on “Karen’s English Students.”
Course Schedule and Assignments
Note: This
schedule is subject to change. If we
need to spend more time
on any of the topics listed below, we will make
adjustments.
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Topics |
Complete before
class |
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“Simple” sentences ·
Subject & predicate o
Nouns & noun phrases o
Types of verbs ·
Simple sentence patterns |
Complete exercises A, B, C, D (40-42) |
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“Simple” sentences – challenges for writers ·
Recognizing subjects & verbs ·
Comma splices & fused sentences ·
Common comma foibles |
Complete exercises E, F, G, H (43-45) |
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Quiz #1
(covering topics on pages 20-55) Nouns & noun phrases ·
Noun types o
Common, proper, count,
noncount ·
Possessives ·
Plurals ·
Function words that
accompany nouns o
Articles,
demonstratives, numbers, quantifiers, possessive pronouns |
Complete exercises A, B, D, E
(55-57) Read Chapter 3 (59-75) |
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·
Pronouns o
The importance of
reference o
Pronoun-antecedent
agreement o
Pronoun case ·
Gerunds &
infinitives |
Complete exercises A, C, D,
F, G, H (84-88) |
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Quiz
#2 (covering topics on pages 59-104) |
Complete exercises J, L (88-89) and A, B, C, D, E
(104-107) |
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Sept. 27 |
FLEX DAY – NO CLASSES
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Oct. 4 |
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Verb forms &
function ·
The structure of the
predicate ·
Tense vs. aspect ·
Expressing negation ·
Subject-verb agreement ·
Adverbs |
Complete exercises A, B, C, D
(134-5) |
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Quiz #3
(covering topics on pages 108-134) More about verbs ·
Problems with verb
inflections ·
Problems with verb
form ·
Problems with s-v
agreement ·
Problems with
contractions ·
Problems with negation ·
Problems with adverbs |
Complete exercises E, F, H, I, J (135-138) Read Chapter 4 (139-152) |
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Catch-up day Review for quiz on all topics in Chapter 4 |
Complete exercises A, B, C,
D, E, G (125-155) |
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Simple Sentence Variation ·
Sentence types ·
Compound structures ·
Stylistic variation ·
The passive voice |
Complete exercises A, B, C, D
(175-177) |
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Simple Sentence Variation ·
Sentence types ·
S-V agreement in sentences with variety ·
Passive pitfalls |
Read Chapter 5 (182-194) Complete exercises E, F, G, H, I, J (177-180) |
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Quiz #5
(covering topics on pages 157-194) Simple Sentence Variation ·
Choosing stylistic variations ·
Choosing point of view |
Read Chapter 5 (198-205) |
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Introducing Sentence Complexity ·
Embedding vs.
conjoining ·
Adverbials ·
Adjectivals ·
Nominals |
Complete exercises A, F
(205-6) Read Chapter 6 (208-213) |
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·
Trouble with embedding o
Fragments o
Misplaced/dangling
modifiers ·
Trouble with
conjoining o
Run-on sentences o
Faulty parallelism |
Complete exercises A, B, C,
D, E (214-216) Read Chapter 6 (217-223) |
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Quiz #6
(covering topics on pages 208-223) |
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Week 17 |
Review for Final Exam |
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Finals Week |
Final Exam Tuesday, December 13 |
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