Developmental Writing
Course Content from McGraw Hill
Course Number: ENG099
Download Course Syllabus
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Developmental Writing examines the fundamental process, theories, and methods that enhance a student's overall writing ability, and introduces strategies for writing within multiple disciplines and professions. You will draft and revise sentences, paragraphs, and essays, with the aim of achieving effective college-level writing skills. You will learn how to improve sentence structure and clarity using grammar, punctuation, and word choice. The course introduces proper research techniques, and various writing genres, including narration, as well as exploring the concepts of cause and effect, compare and contrast, definition, and argumentation.
This course is non-credit
- Self Paced
- English
- Content by McGraw Hill
Course Objectives
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 | Topic Title | Subtopics | Objectives |
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| 1 | Grammar |
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| 2 | Word Use |
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| 3 | Writing the Sentence |
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| 4 | Writing the Paragraph |
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| 5 | Write to be Read |
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| 6 | Writing Process |
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| 7 | Point & Specific Evidence |
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| 8 | Description and Narration |
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| 9 | Definition |
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| 10 | Cause and Effect |
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| 11 | Essay Development |
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| 12 | Comparison and Contrast |
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| 13 | Exams |
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| 14 | Resumes and Cover Letters |
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| 15 | Research |
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| 16 | Argumentation |
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| 17 | Review |
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There are no prerequisites to take Developmental Writing.
This course does not require a text.
StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.
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 |
The course as a whole was mediocre. The Practice Exercise didn't feel like they helped at all. The lessons are the most lacking part of this course, they feel old and outdated. The assignments are the best part of the whole course, I would not change anything about the assignments.
this was a hard course if you dont know basic English
The course was well written. The material made sense and was presented in a way that built skill upon skill. You were able to complete assignments in a timely manner.
The course as a whole was mediocre. The Practice Exercise didn't feel like they helped at all. The lessons are the most lacking part of this course, they feel old and outdated. The assignments are the best part of the whole course, I would not change anything about the assignments.
this class was not great at all, I received no help what so ever and I am disappointed about that. when I submitted my essays I couldn't see what my similarities were so I don't know if I was committing plagiarism or not.
this class was not great at all, I received no help what so ever and I am disappointed about that. when I submitted my essays I couldn't see what my similarities were so I don't know if I was committing plagiarism or not.
time consuming start on writing the papers first
Stay on your A game.
Stay on your A game.
This course was long, but easy.
I had a great experience with Straighterline. I Love that I can work at my own pace and I can access my classes and tests anytime of day or night.
This course was awesome to complete! It took less than a month and the graders who graded my papers returned them by the next day!
This course was long, but easy.
I had a great experience with Straighterline. I Love that I can work at my own pace and I can access my classes and tests anytime of day or night.
This course was awesome to complete! It took less than a month and the graders who graded my papers returned them by the next day!
This course was good if you are on a timed schedule and if you are motivated to get your course done.
This course was good if you are on a timed schedule and if you are motivated to get your course done.
It was alright, but i felt the lessons were too long.
It was alright, but i felt the lessons were too long.
Great
Great
this was a hard course if you dont know basic English
The course was well written. The material made sense and was presented in a way that built skill upon skill. You were able to complete assignments in a timely manner.
This course will be really easy if you just pay attention and follow all the directions.
This course will be really easy if you just pay attention and follow all the directions.
proof read
proof read
time consuming start on writing the papers first
Great Course
I loved the course except when I accidentally submitted the wrong paper for a graded essay. I couldn't send in the correct one once the other was sent in. I ended up getting a zero for that paper.
Good feedback with first drafts. Topic presentations were very informative, better than my personal previous experience with face to face classes.
I enjoyed the practive/review exercises. The repetition helped me to memorize and learn easier.
Good feedback with first drafts. Topic presentations were very informative, better than my personal previous experience with face to face classes.
I enjoyed the practive/review exercises. The repetition helped me to memorize and learn easier.
I liked the length of assignments are quizzes were great, not too long. everything was on the lessons.
I liked the response from the tutors for the rough draft for the essays. Their comments were very helpful.
I liked the writing the papers, and choosing my own topic for a majority of it because I like to express myself and i write better when it is about something of my interest.
The lesson presentations were very helpful because you could have the voice over on turn it off. As well, I could go at my own pace. I didn't have to worry about deadlines for quizzes. I was also given plenty of time to take each quiz
The quizes were pretty easy, and easy to understand.
I liked the length of assignments are quizzes were great, not too long. everything was on the lessons.
I liked the response from the tutors for the rough draft for the essays. Their comments were very helpful.
I liked the writing the papers, and choosing my own topic for a majority of it because I like to express myself and i write better when it is about something of my interest.
The lesson presentations were very helpful because you could have the voice over on turn it off. As well, I could go at my own pace. I didn't have to worry about deadlines for quizzes. I was also given plenty of time to take each quiz
The quizes were pretty easy, and easy to understand.