vcc.ca
ELSK 0946: Improve Your Writing - Intermediate Focus A
Effective date
May 2021
Department
ESL Pathways
School
Arts and Sciences
Description
Students will learn strategies to become more effective writers in English at an intermediate (CLB 5-6) level. Students can expect to practice their writing in a non-intensive, low-stakes atmosphere. Key components include paragraph structure, self-analysis of writing, paraphrasing, and writing techniques. Focus A and Focus B can be taken in any order.
Credits
0.0
Year of study
Prerequisites
CLB 4 or equivalent; or department approval.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Use a variety of sentence structures appropriate for narrative and descriptive writing at a CLB 5-6 level
- Use a process method to write different types of texts
- Write informal and social emails
- Define plagiarism and identify cases at a CLB 5-6 level
- Use a variety of techniques to paraphrase sentences
- Summarize short, single-paragraph authentic texts at a CLB 5-6 level
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 40
Total Hours: 40
Total Hours: 40
Instructional Strategies
lecture, demonstration, pair and group discussion, and self-study modules through a Learning Management System
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Passing grade
S (60%)
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Assignments |
40% |
Paragraph and email writing assignments |
|
Assignments |
20% |
Paraphrasing and summarizing |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
30% |
Short quizzes |
|
Participation |
10% |
Active involvement in live instructional sessions and online activities |
Course topics
- Narrative and descriptive paragraphs Social and informal emails Basic paragraph structure – topic sentence, support, conclusion Sentence structure (coordination, subordination) in narrative and descriptive writing Process writing techniques – brainstorming, outlining, drafting, peer editing and revision Simple paraphrasing and summarizing techniques Vocabulary development strategies, such as collocation use and word forms Understanding and incorporating feedback on writing Academic integrity in different environments in an increasingly digitized world
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.