University Admissions Preparations Course

This four-week intensive course focuses on writing skills toward the production of two essays (classification and argumentative). Students are expected, to read, research, and discuss as part of the composition process. Readings will emphasize the development and organization of information and ideas, the summarizing of important ideas and details, and the identification and evaluation of arguments. Collaboration and teamwork will be important components of this course, as well. This is an intensive program that expects a high level of engagement and production.

Instructor: ______

Email: ______

The following is the 4-week outline for the course. Note that changes may occur.

Week 1
Monday / Course Overview
Writing Diagnostic
Tuesday / Introduction to the Classification essay
Skimming for Gist 1
Wednesday / Classification Essay: Topics / Choosing Categories
Skimming for Gist 2
Thursday / Classification Essay: Thesis and Outline
Structure and grammar practice
Friday / Classification Essay: counterarguments
Structure and grammar practice
Week 2
Monday / Classification essay peer review
Parallel Structure
APA In-text citation
Tuesday / Paraphrasing
Formal vs informal writing
Homework Assignment #1 / Quiz #1
Wednesday / Paraphrasing - continued
Formal vs informal writing – colloquial phrases / Hmwk assignment #1 due
2nd draft classification essay due
Thursday / Introduction to Argumentative Essay
Blitz the sentence (1)
Friday / Argumentative essay: thesis statements, support and
counterarguments
Blitz the sentence (2)
Week 3
Monday / Argumentative essay – building support
Writing outlines
Essay coherence / Final draft classification essay due
Tuesday / Argumentative essay peer review
APA referencing
Essay coherence / Outline for argumentative essay due
Wednesday / Summary writing
Presentation assignment
Homework assignment #2 – summary writing / Quiz #2
2nd draft argumentative essay due
Thursday / Blitzing the paragraph (1)
Nominalization / Hmwk assignment #2 due
Friday / Blitz the paragraph (2)
Nominalization – practice
Work on presentation outlines / essay feedback
Week 4
Monday / Presentations and feedback groups / Final draft argumentative essay due
Tues - Thursday / Presentations and feedback groups
Friday / Final exam