A Reading-Based Developmental Writing Course:

Preparing Our Students

Donald SeymourAssistant Professor of

Writing

Coordinator, Fundamentals of Writing

Philadelphia University

WRTG 099

Fundamentals

of

College Writing

This is a theme-based writing course designed for students who need additional preparation before

taking Writing I. Students who place into this course are given background information about the content of Writing Seminar I, which prepares them to read and write college-level academic

prose. Credits may not be applied toward graduation requirements, though the grade, as with other courses, does affect students' overall grade point average. Students must earn a “C”

(2.00) or better to receive credit for Fundamentals courses.

This is a theme-based writing course designed for students who need additional preparation before

taking Writing I. Students who place into this course are given background information about the content of Writing Seminar I, which prepares them to read and write college-level academic

prose. Credits may not be applied toward graduation requirements, though the grade, as with other courses, does affect students' overall grade point average. Students must earn a “C”

(2.00) or better to receive credit for Fundamentals courses.

rhetorical strategy

of the week

narrative

Write an essay narrating an event in your life which taught you an

important and significant lesson

descriptive

Write an essay where you describe a person, place

or object that has significance to you

comparison/contrast

process

cause and effect

artificial

disjointed

WRTG 101

College Studies

content

learning to write...

...writing to learn

sports

Title IX

public stadium financing

Friday Night Lights

Education

Environment

Food

problem

video

sports

content

structure

5 essays• 2 page long paragraphs

• 1 two page essay

• 2 longer essays (2-3 pgs)

common midterm and

final

role of time writing?

Essay #1 -- Paragraph

Objective: To practice developing strong arguments via the paragraph, using a topic sentence and specific evidence.

Topic: Fast food is the basis of a healthy and nutritious diet. Do you agree or disagree?

Grading: You will be graded on the following criteria:

• proper paragraph format

• stating your argument in a clear thesis statement

• supporting your argument with specific and adequate details

• spelling, grammar and word choice

• appropriately addressing the topic

Essay #1 -- Paragraph

Objective: To practice developing strong arguments and to practice organizing academic writing and process approaches to composing.

Topic: Parents very often enroll their children in sports programs because they believe the sports will benefit their kids. The most commonly heard claim is sports build character. Do you agree? Do organized sports build character in kids?

Grading: You will be graded on the following criteria: – Your ability to make a convincing argument– Your ability to write a paragraph in standard format– Your ability to write a clear topic sentence and support it

with specific reasons– Your ability to write clear and error-free prose

In Chalked Up, Jennifer Sey states that her parents were not allowed to attend some of her meets. But she also stresses how her mother made volunteering at the gym the focus of her life. In addition, she talks of how she was afraid of some of her more intense and demanding coaches. In his New York Times editorial, Buzz Bissinger says that bad sportsmanship by parents and coaches “reflects a culture of youth sports in our country that is berserk.” Are competitive parents and/or coaches ruining youth sports? Argue for your opinion in a single, well-developed paragraph.

Topic: Make an argument about the difference between good and bad coaching.

In creating your argument, you must use not only Chalked Up, but also sources you find yourself, using University databases or acceptable news sources that we have discussed in class. Your discussion need not be limited only to gymnastics. In fact, it probably should cover a number of sports and/or activities.

Grading: You will be graded on the following criteria: – establishing and developing a persuasive argument that

appropriately responds to the topic– supporting that argument with logical evidence, including

meaningful use of course texts – using conventional essay organization and format– writing prose with a limited number of grammar and

mechanical errors

balance

argument

strengths

skills

engagement

challenges

Questions?