This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline for Rutherford Private School Vaughan Ontario prepared by Brad Lombardo. This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline that students can look at for study ideas, provided by private school York region Rutherford private school. This part of the outline features course description and course content and has been put together by Brad Lombardo and teachers who work at private secondary school Vaughan Ontario Rutherford private school.
Overview - Essay Writing Course Instructor: B. LombardoCourse Description/RationaleThis course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary skills necessary for success in various forms of essay writing. Students are introduced to the basic structure and stages of an essay, and discover in detail about planning, researching, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading. Special attention is given to organization, clarity, word choice, mechanics and both timed and untimed essay writing strategies. Several forms and styles of essay writing are studied, including the narrative, descriptive, expository, reflective, and persuasive (argumentative, discursive). There is also a separate unit on admission essays.Students will analyze a range of challenging essay writing learning materials and texts; interpret and evaluate various essay writing forms and styles; and create and develop essays in various forms and styles. An important focus will be on employing academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading and writing strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing more effective writing skills and styles.
Course ContentUnit Title Unit Length1 - Basics of the Essay 4 hours2 - Organization, Clarity, Word Choice, Mechanics 4 hours3 - Planning, Researching, Drafting and Basic Essay Structure 4 hours4 - Types of Essays: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository & Reflective 4 hours5 - Persuasive Essays: Argumentative & Discursive 4 hours6 - Untimed & Timed Essay Writing Strategies 4 hours7 - Revising, Editing, Proofreading and Presenting 4 hours8 - The Admission Essay 4 hours9 - Course Review & Practice Essay 4 hoursLength of Course 36 hoursUnit Descriptions
Unit 1 - Basics of the EssayStudents are handed out course overviews, with relevant information reviewed (course description, course content, unit descriptions, assessment & evaluation, resources, classroom schedule). This unit emphasizes that writing and designing texts is a process, and considers pre-planning, groundwork, analyzing the question, and the stages of essay writing. Students consider effective and ineffective examples of essay writing, and also engage in researching, composing and writing sample essay work.
Unit 2 - Organization, Clarity, Word Choice, MechanicsHow to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing is the starting point of this unit, with techniques such as free writing, brainstorming, and outlining identified. Clarity is then presented, with the idea of saying exactly what you mean by avoiding ambiguous language, using modifiers, eliminating unneeded words and phrases and using the active voice whenever possible. Also examined is word choice and how it can accurately reflect your ideas, as well as common misused and confused words, denotation versus connotation, and inclusive language. Finally, students learn about the most common mechanical errors and how to eliminate them from their writing, as well as troublesome parts of speech, noun-verb agreement, and punctuation problems.
Unit 3 - Planning, Drafting, Researching and Basic Essay StructureIn this unit, students learn more about the importance of pre-writing in setting up your essay, as well as the need to seriously consider your audience. They are also introduced to a discussion on planning your essay and drafting your thesis, as well as word and page counts. Researching and gathering relevant information is also considered, and students learn in detail about basic essay structure (introduction, body, and conclusion) as well as the diamond essay. The discussion on essay structure prefaces a more detailed look at introductions and conclusions, where they learn about the purpose of the introduction, what to include in it, and recommendations for improved effectiveness. They also find out about what to include and not include in a good conclusion, and are introduced to a comprehensive introductions and conclusions checklist.
Unit 4 - Types of Essays: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository & ReflectiveIn this unit students learn about various forms and styles of essays, including the narrative, which tells a story or recalls a past event and may be written from any perspective. Other styles of essay introduced include: descriptive, which describes something to allow the reader to experience the topic being described vividly, usually something or someone; expository (demonstrative), which is well-researched and factual, with ideas supported in a systematic fashion; and reflective, in which the writer contemplates an idea and gives his or her emotional reactions and feelings.This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline for Rutherford Private School Vaughan Ontario prepared by Brad Lombardo. This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline that students can look at for study ideas, provided by private school York region Rutherford private school. This part of the outline features course description and course content and has been put together by Brad Lombardo and teachers who work at private secondary school Vaughan Ontario Rutherford private school.
Unit 5 - Persuasive Essays: Argumentative & DiscursiveStudents also learn about two types of persuasive essays: argumentative, in which the writer has a specific opinion or viewpoint and argues to defend or motivate his or her position, which is one side of an argument; and discursive, which are objective and not subjective essays and aim to provide a balanced view of both sides of an argument. Students are also asked to research, compose, and write selected essay styles, based on teacher-provided ideas, issues and/or topics of discussion.
Unit 6 - Untimed & Timed Essay Writing Strategies This unit starts off with a discussion of untimed essay writing strategies, covering such issues as long-range planning, pre-writing, and understanding the topics. Tips on writing to your audience and striking a balance between formality and informality are also explained. The unit then moves into timed essay writing strategies, showing students how to research their exams, familiarize themselves with possible topic choices, and budget their time during the writing process. The premise here is that the more a student knows before writing the timed essay, the less stress she or her will feel during the exam, and the better the writing she or her will be able to produce. Samples of both untimed and timed essays are presented.
Unit 7 - Revising, Editing, Proofreading and PresentingRevising your draft is the starting point of this unit, which considers such relevant issues as title, hook, clarity of thesis statement and paragraphs, transition links, strength of ending and feedback. Editing and proofreading are also discussed here, with tips offered on grammar, punctuation, numbers, style and word-processing programs.Finally, proper paper presentation is highlighted, touching on everything from margins and spacing to tables and illustrations.
Unit 8 - The Admission EssayThe focus of this unit is the admission essay, an essential part of all college and university entrance applications. Students find out about how they can make their admission essays memorable, with advice of things to do and things to avoid. The question of why the admission essay is so crucial to a successful application is considered, and essay questions students would be likely to face are discussed. Students also learn how to identify and respond to trick questions. Students also learn about the 25 worst essay-writing mistakes, how humor can undermine the essay, and what actual admission officers have to say about the admission essay and the role it plays in the application. This unit also features highly effective admission essays on several topics, including family life, places, music, jobs & careers, personal beliefs & reflections, influential books & people, and extracurricular activities & athletics.
Unit 9 - Course Review & Practice EssayThe final unit of this course offers a comprehensive review, featuring all the basics of essay writing, the main types of essays, including the admission essay, effective essay writing strategies, and detailed analysis of the various stages involved. Students are expected to write a final exam, which covers all course content, and to hand a final version of their course essay.
Assessment & EvaluationThe student's final grade for this course will be determined as follows:
Eighty per cent (80%) of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the course, including the following: classroom performance, essay writing activities, group work, presentations, quizzes, reading activities and tests. This portion of the grade should reflect the students' most consistent level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration will be given to the more recent evidence of achievement.
Twenty per cent (20%) of the grade will be based on a final exam (10%), which covers the content of units 1 to 9 and is administered towards the end of the course, as well as a final version of the course essay (10%).
Resources
ï?¼ Accepted! 50 Successful College Admissions Essays, Gen and Kelly Tanabe, Belmont, CA: SuperCollege, LLC, 2011ï?¼ Adios, Strunk & White: A handbook for the new academic essay, Gary & Glynis Hoffman, Huntington Beach, CA: Library of Congress, 2003ï?¼ Crafting the Personal Essay, Dinty W. Moore, Georgetown, Ont.: Fraser Direct, 2010ï?¼ Essay Writing Made Easy, Ann Birch, Markham, Ont: Pembroke Publishing, 1993ï?¼ Everything you need to write great essays you can learn from watching movies, Jay Douglas, New York, New York: Penguin Books, 2011ï?¼ How to write great essays, Lauren Starkey, New York, New York: Learning Express, 2004ï?¼ Persuasive Writing, Tara McCarthy, New York, New York: Scholastic Professional Books, 1998ï?¼ Planning Your Essay, Janet Goodwin, New York, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009ï?¼ Writing to Communicate: Paragraphs & Essays, Cynthia A. Boardman & Jia Frydenberg, New York, New York: Pearson Education, 2002
ï?¼ Videos -How to write expository essays, 2005How to write persuasive essays, 2005ï?¼ Dictionary
ï?¼ Library
ï?¼ Thesaurus
This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline for Rutherford Private School Vaughan Ontario prepared by Brad Lombardo. This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline that students can look at for study ideas, provided by private school York region Rutherford private school. This part of the outline features course description and course content and has been put together by Brad Lombardo and teachers who work at private secondary school Vaughan Ontario Rutherford private school.
Overview - Essay Writing Course Instructor: B. LombardoCourse Description/RationaleThis course emphasizes the consolidation of the literacy, communication, and critical and creative thinking skills necessary skills necessary for success in various forms of essay writing. Students are introduced to the basic structure and stages of an essay, and discover in detail about planning, researching, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading. Special attention is given to organization, clarity, word choice, mechanics and both timed and untimed essay writing strategies. Several forms and styles of essay writing are studied, including the narrative, descriptive, expository, reflective, and persuasive (argumentative, discursive). There is also a separate unit on admission essays.Students will analyze a range of challenging essay writing learning materials and texts; interpret and evaluate various essay writing forms and styles; and create and develop essays in various forms and styles. An important focus will be on employing academic language coherently and confidently, selecting the reading and writing strategies best suited to particular texts and particular purposes for reading, and developing more effective writing skills and styles.
Course ContentUnit Title Unit Length1 - Basics of the Essay 4 hours2 - Organization, Clarity, Word Choice, Mechanics 4 hours3 - Planning, Researching, Drafting and Basic Essay Structure 4 hours4 - Types of Essays: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository & Reflective 4 hours5 - Persuasive Essays: Argumentative & Discursive 4 hours6 - Untimed & Timed Essay Writing Strategies 4 hours7 - Revising, Editing, Proofreading and Presenting 4 hours8 - The Admission Essay 4 hours9 - Course Review & Practice Essay 4 hoursLength of Course 36 hoursUnit Descriptions
Unit 1 - Basics of the EssayStudents are handed out course overviews, with relevant information reviewed (course description, course content, unit descriptions, assessment & evaluation, resources, classroom schedule). This unit emphasizes that writing and designing texts is a process, and considers pre-planning, groundwork, analyzing the question, and the stages of essay writing. Students consider effective and ineffective examples of essay writing, and also engage in researching, composing and writing sample essay work.
Unit 2 - Organization, Clarity, Word Choice, MechanicsHow to organize your thoughts and ideas before you begin writing is the starting point of this unit, with techniques such as free writing, brainstorming, and outlining identified. Clarity is then presented, with the idea of saying exactly what you mean by avoiding ambiguous language, using modifiers, eliminating unneeded words and phrases and using the active voice whenever possible. Also examined is word choice and how it can accurately reflect your ideas, as well as common misused and confused words, denotation versus connotation, and inclusive language. Finally, students learn about the most common mechanical errors and how to eliminate them from their writing, as well as troublesome parts of speech, noun-verb agreement, and punctuation problems.
Unit 3 - Planning, Drafting, Researching and Basic Essay StructureIn this unit, students learn more about the importance of pre-writing in setting up your essay, as well as the need to seriously consider your audience. They are also introduced to a discussion on planning your essay and drafting your thesis, as well as word and page counts. Researching and gathering relevant information is also considered, and students learn in detail about basic essay structure (introduction, body, and conclusion) as well as the diamond essay. The discussion on essay structure prefaces a more detailed look at introductions and conclusions, where they learn about the purpose of the introduction, what to include in it, and recommendations for improved effectiveness. They also find out about what to include and not include in a good conclusion, and are introduced to a comprehensive introductions and conclusions checklist.
Unit 4 - Types of Essays: Narrative, Descriptive, Expository & ReflectiveIn this unit students learn about various forms and styles of essays, including the narrative, which tells a story or recalls a past event and may be written from any perspective. Other styles of essay introduced include: descriptive, which describes something to allow the reader to experience the topic being described vividly, usually something or someone; expository (demonstrative), which is well-researched and factual, with ideas supported in a systematic fashion; and reflective, in which the writer contemplates an idea and gives his or her emotional reactions and feelings.This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline for Rutherford Private School Vaughan Ontario prepared by Brad Lombardo. This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline that students can look at for study ideas, provided by private school York region Rutherford private school. This part of the outline features course description and course content and has been put together by Brad Lombardo and teachers who work at private secondary school Vaughan Ontario Rutherford private school.
Unit 5 - Persuasive Essays: Argumentative & DiscursiveStudents also learn about two types of persuasive essays: argumentative, in which the writer has a specific opinion or viewpoint and argues to defend or motivate his or her position, which is one side of an argument; and discursive, which are objective and not subjective essays and aim to provide a balanced view of both sides of an argument. Students are also asked to research, compose, and write selected essay styles, based on teacher-provided ideas, issues and/or topics of discussion.
Unit 6 - Untimed & Timed Essay Writing Strategies This unit starts off with a discussion of untimed essay writing strategies, covering such issues as long-range planning, pre-writing, and understanding the topics. Tips on writing to your audience and striking a balance between formality and informality are also explained. The unit then moves into timed essay writing strategies, showing students how to research their exams, familiarize themselves with possible topic choices, and budget their time during the writing process. The premise here is that the more a student knows before writing the timed essay, the less stress she or her will feel during the exam, and the better the writing she or her will be able to produce. Samples of both untimed and timed essays are presented.
Unit 7 - Revising, Editing, Proofreading and PresentingRevising your draft is the starting point of this unit, which considers such relevant issues as title, hook, clarity of thesis statement and paragraphs, transition links, strength of ending and feedback. Editing and proofreading are also discussed here, with tips offered on grammar, punctuation, numbers, style and word-processing programs.Finally, proper paper presentation is highlighted, touching on everything from margins and spacing to tables and illustrations.
Unit 8 - The Admission EssayThe focus of this unit is the admission essay, an essential part of all college and university entrance applications. Students find out about how they can make their admission essays memorable, with advice of things to do and things to avoid. The question of why the admission essay is so crucial to a successful application is considered, and essay questions students would be likely to face are discussed. Students also learn how to identify and respond to trick questions. Students also learn about the 25 worst essay-writing mistakes, how humor can undermine the essay, and what actual admission officers have to say about the admission essay and the role it plays in the application. This unit also features highly effective admission essays on several topics, including family life, places, music, jobs & careers, personal beliefs & reflections, influential books & people, and extracurricular activities & athletics.
Unit 9 - Course Review & Practice EssayThe final unit of this course offers a comprehensive review, featuring all the basics of essay writing, the main types of essays, including the admission essay, effective essay writing strategies, and detailed analysis of the various stages involved. Students are expected to write a final exam, which covers all course content, and to hand a final version of their course essay.
Assessment & EvaluationThe student's final grade for this course will be determined as follows:
Eighty per cent (80%) of the grade will be based on evaluations conducted throughout the course, including the following: classroom performance, essay writing activities, group work, presentations, quizzes, reading activities and tests. This portion of the grade should reflect the students' most consistent level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration will be given to the more recent evidence of achievement.
Twenty per cent (20%) of the grade will be based on a final exam (10%), which covers the content of units 1 to 9 and is administered towards the end of the course, as well as a final version of the course essay (10%).
Resources
ï?¼ Accepted! 50 Successful College Admissions Essays, Gen and Kelly Tanabe, Belmont, CA: SuperCollege, LLC, 2011ï?¼ Adios, Strunk & White: A handbook for the new academic essay, Gary & Glynis Hoffman, Huntington Beach, CA: Library of Congress, 2003ï?¼ Crafting the Personal Essay, Dinty W. Moore, Georgetown, Ont.: Fraser Direct, 2010ï?¼ Essay Writing Made Easy, Ann Birch, Markham, Ont: Pembroke Publishing, 1993ï?¼ Everything you need to write great essays you can learn from watching movies, Jay Douglas, New York, New York: Penguin Books, 2011ï?¼ How to write great essays, Lauren Starkey, New York, New York: Learning Express, 2004ï?¼ Persuasive Writing, Tara McCarthy, New York, New York: Scholastic Professional Books, 1998ï?¼ Planning Your Essay, Janet Goodwin, New York, New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009ï?¼ Writing to Communicate: Paragraphs & Essays, Cynthia A. Boardman & Jia Frydenberg, New York, New York: Pearson Education, 2002
ï?¼ Videos -How to write expository essays, 2005How to write persuasive essays, 2005ï?¼ Dictionary
ï?¼ Library
ï?¼ Thesaurus
This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline for Rutherford Private School Vaughan Ontario prepared by Brad Lombardo. This is an example of part of an essay writing course outline that students can look at for study ideas, provided by private school York region Rutherford private school. This part of the outline features course description and course content and has been put together by Brad Lombardo and teachers who work at private secondary school Vaughan Ontario Rutherford private school.
