Developmental Writing

Developmental Writing

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$79

Developmental Writing

Transferrable Credits

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Developmental Writing $79
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$99
Total $ 178
All courses include:
  • eTextbooks
  • 2 to 3-day turnaround for grading
  • Multiple chances to improve course grade
  • On-demand tutoring & writing center
  • Student support 7 days a week
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About this course.

ENG099

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Developmental Writing

Developmental Writing examines the fundamental process, theories, and methods needed to enhance your overall writing ability. This non-credit college prep course provides various strategies for writing within multiple disciplines and professions. Learn the basic principles of effective college-level writing, including drafting and revising sentences, paragraphs, and essays. This online Developmental Writing course prepares you to meet basic college-level writing requirements.

Outcomes

After completing this course students will be able to:

Appreciate the skill of writing as a form of critical thinking.

Describe the steps in the writing process.

Define “draft” and identify key differences between writing a first and final draft.

Revise paragraphs and essays to be clear and concise.

Edit sentences to improve clarity and eliminate errors.

Use appropriate and vivid word choices to express ideas.

Develop and explain the differences between a topic sentence and a thesis statement.

Develop sensory details and write a descriptive narrative paragraph.

Create a relationship between causes and effects; write a cause and effect paragraph.

Develop a strong definition paragraph through contrast, explanation, and other techniques.

Write a comparison and contrast essay using subject-by-subject or point-by-point methods.

Compose an original argument essay that acknowledges and appeals to the audience’s viewpoint.

Identify and describe the main factors for developing a good résumé and cover letter.

Respond to essay exam prompts clearly and concisely.

Explain the research process and conduct research to explore a specific topic.

TOPIC LESSON TOPIC SUBTOPICS OBJECTIVES
1 Grammar
  • Grammar Basics
  • Mechanics
  • Punctuation
  • Define and describe good grammar.
  • Explain the process of developing a grammatically correct sentence.
  • Define manuscript form, capital letters, numbers, and abbreviations; explain how to use each in a piece of writing.
  • Define and describe the methods for improving punctuation usage including the apostrophe, quotation, and comma.
2 Word Use
  • Vocabulary
  • Improving your Spelling
  • Commonly Confused Words
  • Identify and describe the major strategies for building your vocabulary.
  • Use the five steps for spelling to improve spelling skills.
  • Identify the most commonly confused words to improve your application of these terms.
3 Writing the Sentence
  • The Basics
  • Revising the sentence
  • Editing the sentence
  • Write and revise sentences using the 6 major strategies for writing smooth and clear sentences.
  • Edit sentences to improve grammar and eliminate errors
4 Writing the Paragraph
  • Paragraph Form
  • Paragraph Structure
  • Paragraph Content
  • Explain how to structure a clear and concise paragraph.
  • Define and describe the major strategies for incorporating content into a paragraph.
  • Define paragraph form and write a topic sentence.
5 Write to be Read
  • College-Level Writing Overview
  • Understanding Content and Support
  • Writing and Skill
  • Examine the basic principles of effective college-level writing.
  • Explain writing as communication.
  • Distinguish the skill of writing as a form of critical thinking, not a natural or biological phenomenon.
6 Writing Process
  • Prewriting
  • Drafting
  • Revising
  • Editing
  • Describe the pre-writing process and write an effective topic sentence.
  • Explain how freewriting, listing, and clustering can help you overcome writer’s block.
  • Develop brainstorming techniques for generating topics using free association of words and ideas.
  • Define draft and identify key differences between writing a first and final draft.
  • Explain the revising process and practice revising a first draft.
  • Practice editing revised drafts and summarize the criteria for a well-written final draft.
7 Point & Specific Evidence
  • Point of Origin
  • Supporting the Point with Evidence
  • Organizing and Connecting the Evidence
  • Explain what a “point” is and write a topic sentence.
  • Practice writing original essays supporting and reinforcing your point with specific evidence, examples, and illustrations.
8 Description and Narration
  • Description as a Picture
  • The Description Process
  • Narration as Storytelling
  • Define description as a picture.
  • Examine the process of developing description.
  • Analyze the narrative process.
  • Combine descriptive details and narration to construct a strong descriptive narrative paragraph.
9 Definition
  • Formal and Information Definitions
  • Developing Ideas and Details of a Definition Essay
  • The Processing of revising and Writing a Definition Essay
  • Define and distinguish formal and informal definition.
  • Identify the questions that can help in the revision process.
  • Write an original definition paragraph.
  • Explore a variety of ways to organize topics for a definition essay.
10 Cause and Effect
  • Connecting Cause and Effect
  • Developing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph
  • Writing a Cause-and-Effect Paragraph
  • Identify the primary conditions that account for cause and effect dynamic.
  • Explain how to develop a cause and effect paragraph.
  • Develop a string topic sentence that includes both cause and effect.
  • Write a cause and effect paragraph.
11 Essay Development
  • Introduction
  • Supporting Paragraphs
  • Conclusion
  • Analyze the basic structure of an essay.
  • Create an essay outline.
  • Define and describe the major strategies for writing an introductory paragraph.
  • Explain how to use supporting paragraphs and transitional sentences to develop the body of the essay.
  • Identify and describe the key methods for ending an essay.
12 Comparison and Contrast
  • Developing the Angle
  • Developing the Comparison or Contrast Essay
  • Writing the Comparison or Contrast Essay
  • Examine the two methods for developing a comparison and contrast essay.
  • Incorporate the two methods into the prewriting process.
  • Identify similarities and differences between two ideas.
  • Write a professional comparison and contrast essay.
13 Exams
  • Taking Essay Exams
  • RAT Exam
  • Describe the different types of essay exams.
  • Using the essay prompt and the requirements, explain how you can construct a strong response.
  • Write a strong essay exam response that shows someone how to do one step in the writing process.
14 Resumes and Cover Letters
  • Writing a Resume
  • Writing a Cover Letter
  • Identify the proper headings used in a resume.
  • Explain the importance of formatting in a resume.
  • Describe the essential components of a cover letter.
  • Develop and personal resume and cover letter.
15 Research
  • Conducting research
  • Writing a research paper
  • Use the library and the Internet to conduct research.
  • Explain the six steps of the research process.
  • Write an I-Search essay to demonstrate mastery of research-related skills.
16 Argumentation
  • Argument Strategies
  • Argument Essay Development
  • Writing the Argument Essay
  • Identify and describe the five strategies for developing a sound and persuasive argument.
  • Write an original argument essay to sway a reader’s viewpoint.
  • Explore the questions one must ask in regard to audience, purpose, and narrowing one’s thesis in preparation for drafting an argument essay.


There are no prerequisites to take Developmental Writing.



The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.

Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook retailer; you will still get the eTextbook for free.


StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

This is a non-credit college prep course. There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

TOPIC ASSESSMENT POINTS AVAILABLE
A1 Graded Quiz: Plagiarism 15
1 Graded Quiz: Grammar 20
2 Graded Quiz: Word Use 20
3 Graded Quiz: Sentence Types 30
4 Graded Quiz: Audience, Tone, and Purpose 20
4 Graded Quiz: Narrative Paragraph and Structure 10
4 Graded Quiz: Paragraph Structure 25
5 Graded Quiz: Audience, Tone, Purpose, and Word Choices 20
6 Graded Quiz: Organization, Support, and Unity 15
7 Graded Quiz: Thesis, Details, and Introduction/Conclusion 15
8 Writing Assignment 8-B: Final Draft of the Descriptive Narrative Paragraph 60
8 Graded Quiz: Descriptive Narrative 10
9 Writing Assignment 9-B: Final Draft of the Definition Paragraph 60
9 Graded Quiz: Definition 25
10 Writing Assignment 10-B: Final Draft of the Cause & Effect Paragraph 60
10 Graded Quiz: Cause and Effect, Part 1 15
10 Graded Quiz: Cause and Effect, Part 2 10
11 Graded Quiz: Essay Structure 25
11 Graded Quiz: Pronouns 10
11 Graded Quiz: Transitions 15
11 Graded Quiz: Essay Development 15
12 Writing Assignment 12-B: Final Draft of the Comparison and Contrast Essay 100
12 Graded Quiz: Comparison and Contrast 15
13 Writing Assignment 13: Graded Process Essay Exam 100
13 Graded Quiz: Essay Exams 20
14 Graded Quiz: Resumes 10
15 Writing Assignment 15: Graded I-Search Essay 100
15 Graded Quiz: Research 30
16 Writing Assignment !6-B: Final Draft of the Argumentative Essay 100
16 Graded Quiz: Argument 20
Total 1000

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