FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
for Students of
English 3000/3001
THE FIRST-TIER COURSE
What is English 3000/3001?
English 3000/3001 is a course to help students meet the University Writing Skills Requirement, which is required by the California State University for graduation for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students who have taken the Writing Skills Test (WST) and have scored 6 or below must take this course. Students may also choose to this class as an alternative to the WST, and those students do not ever have to take the WST. Generally speaking, Engl 3000 is intended for native speakers of English, while Engl 3001 is intended for non-native speakers.
What are the requirements for English 3000/3001?
As with any other course, individual teachers have their own requirements, which they will explain. However, if you are taking this class to fulfill the University Writing Skills Requirement, you must present a portfolio at the end of the quarter, on the date set by your teacher. You must pass both the course AND receive a score of Developing Competence (DC) on your portfolio to move on to second tier. If you earn credit for the course and receive a score of Basic Competence (BC) on your portfolio, you have completed all the university’s writing requirements and do not need to take any further courses.
THE PORTFOLIO
How will my English 3000/3001 class help prepare me for the portfolio?
The writing samples included in your portfolio will be taken from what you have written in your English 3000/3001 class except for an optional item which may come from outside the course. Your teacher will make sure you have written the kinds of essays, both in class and outside of class, you need and will give you or help you get the appropriate help in writing them.
What kind of help is it ok for me to get on the work I include in my portfolio?
Your teacher will give you more information, but basically, you can use your support system, including the Writing Center, to help you. It is essential, though, that the help you get be shown clearly in the drafts you submit and that final drafts reflect your own writing ability
What must be included in the portfolio?
There is a complete list at the bottom of this FAQ. Overall, though, it will include a scan sheet, a cover sheet, a table of contents, a reflective introduction to the portfolio, two typed essays written outside of class, three essays written in class, and one optional item.
Does it matter what order things are in the portfolio?
Yes. Please put items in your folder in the order listed below.
Does it matter what kind of folder the portfolio is in?
Yes, it matters very much. The portfolio contents (except for the scan sheet that will be placed in front of the cover sheet) must be hole-punched in a folder with a clear cover (not a binder). This clear cover must reveal a cover sheet that is also hole-punched, NOT one that is inserted into a clear cover. The bookstore can sell you the proper folder. The committee will NOT evaluate portfolios that are in binders or other kinds of folders. If you are in doubt, ask your teacher or the bookstore.
Should I use tabs between the sections of my portfolio?
Tabs are not required, but they may make your portfolio clearer, assisting the evaluators to find their way through it.
EVALUATION OF THE PORTFOLIO
How is the portfolio evaluated?
The portfolio is evaluated by a university committee made up of faculty from across the disciplines. Your 3000/3001 teacher does not evaluate your portfolio and cannot tell the committee what score to give. You must, however, receive credit in the course AND receive an evaluation of at least Developing Competence to pass the class and move on to second tier. Your portfolio evaluation will result in one of the three following assessments:
Limited Competence: You must retake English 3000/3001. You will receive no credit for the course.
Developing Competence: If you are also receiving credit in the coursework, you may move on to second-tier writing course, English 3003 or another second-tier course; Marketing and Science Departments both offer second-tier courses regularly.
Basic Competence: If you are also receiving credit in the coursework, you have fulfilled the University Writing Skills Requirement and no additional English courses are needed.
What qualities give the portfolio its score?
The evaluators use a scoring guide. A summary of the scoring guide is provided at the bottom of this FAQ, and your teacher can provide you with a more complete copy.
What is plagiarism and what does it have to do with my portfolio?
The university policy on plagiarism, which includes taking the words or substance of another and either copying or paraphrasing the work without giving credit to the source through footnotes, quotation marks, or reference citation, is very clear. Your teacher will warn you if you seem to be using the ideas or words of others without properly citing them, but ultimately, it's up to you. Any portfolio deemed to include the words or substance of another without proper credit will be evaluated as showing Limited Competence.
Is there any way I can get out of English 3000/3001?
You may take the WST a total of two times. If you take the test once and place into English 3000/3001, you may retake the test. If you pass the test while you are enrolled in English 3000/3001, you can withdraw from the class and your course fee (but not tuition) will be returned. If you receive a passing score on the WST but decide to stay in English 3000/3001, you may complete the class without submitting a portfolio at the end, and your fee will not be returned.
Is there any way to appeal my portfolio evaluation?
No, the decision of the committee, which is made up of faculty from across the disciplines, is final.
How will I find out my score?
Your teacher will make arrangements to get your score to you after the end of finals week.
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN PORTFOLIO
1. Scan sheet: In addition to your work, in front of the cover sheet and therefore showing through the plastic, you will put the scan sheet your teacher will give you during the last week of classes. It is NOT to be hole-punched, and if it is not completely filled out, you may not receive proper credit for your portfolio. This is your responsibility so take it seriously.
2. Cover sheet: This includes your name, your teacher's name, and your course and section number.
3. Table of contents: This includes the following items, in this order. Please note that this is important.
4. Reflective introduction essay. This is an essay that introduces the portfolio and argues that you should pass either this class or the entire the University Writing Skills Requirement. It is thesis driven, and the evidence mentioned in it is included in the portfolio although you may choose to include other information such as personal history. You will not receive teacher input or comments on this essay except for an explanation of the requirement and general a discussion of this type of essay, but you can go to the Writing Center for help. This requirement will help maintain the fairness for all students. This is an important element of the portfolio and should be approximately 400-500 words.
5. One typed argument essay: a text-based argument, 800 words minimum. This three-draft, out-of-class essay is a thesis-driven argument that strives to meet the standards detailed in the rubric. You must use and cite at least one source. While of course the student may work with many drafts, only one draft may receive teacher input. Include ALL drafts (minimum three), one with teacher comments, one with peer and/or Writing Center comments, and a final, clean draft without comments or grade.
Be sure that the latest draft, a clean copy with no instructor comments, is placed first, followed by earlier drafts and prewriting, so that the evaluator looks from latest to earliest writing when opening that section of the portfolio
Please note that, if you have gone to the Writing Center, you must include the drafts you worked on with them, in order. This will help the evaluators to see your writing in process.
6. Three in-class writings with the earliest first, followed by the later essays.
a. A diagnostic, in-class writing is given in the first week of classes. If you are not in class for the diagnostic essay, please include your first in-class essay.
b. Two additional in-class writings, one from the middle of the quarter and one from near the end, are also included. These may be of any type but each must be a complete, thesis-driven essay.
c. These essays may be but do not have to be in a bluebook. If the class takes place in the electronic classroom, they may be typed but must have some sort of verification by the teacher that they were written in class.
7. Additional out-of-class writing sample. A second out-of-class essay is included in this section. This essay may be developed in whatever way your teacher thinks appropriate, and as with the first, all drafts and prewriting must be included.
8. An optional item. You might or might not include one other item. This is entirely up to you, but this item must then be referenced in your introduction.
SUMMARY OF SCORING GUIDELINES
Writing in portfolios showing Basic Competence will demonstrate the following qualities:
Argument—Texts present
· Thesis; gives focus to the writing.
· Development: supports thesis with a variety of strategies such as reasons, details, research, anecdotes, examples, quotations, and questions to support positions.
Organization—Texts demonstrate
· focus.
· coherence.
Technical Command— Texts employ
· effective and precise language.
· grammatical usage, varied sentence structure.
· revised texts are polished to meet standards and expectations of academic audiences.
FAQ for Students of English 3000/3001 4/05 p. 1 of 5