Course Information
This one-semester, elective course primarily addresses the late high school benchmarks of the Illinois Learning Writing Standards through the study and extensive practice of a variety of writing structures, including, but not limited to, definition, cause/effect, comparison/ contrast, character analysis, and writing for exams. Works of literature and other prompts may be used for paper topics. The focus of the course is on improving, expanding, and understanding writing as a process in preparation for college. Students must be willing to engage in discussions regarding course content. This course fulfills one semester of the State of Illinois’ “writing intensive” requirement.
Types of essays we may write:
Personal statement Persuasive Compare/Contrast Cause/Effect Argumentative |
College skills we may cover:
Time management Note taking Annotating Test taking |
Classroom and School Policies
Academic Dishonesty:
As stated in the handbook, all work is individual work unless otherwise stated by the teacher. The MCHS handbook clearly defines cheating as "to steal, provide, receive or plagiarize information, knowledge, or work from another and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores." If you are caught being academically dishonest in class, you will receive 1) a zero on the assignment, and 2) a dean's referral.
Avoiding Plagiarism:
I do not take plagiarism lightly, and I follow the handbook guidelines when dealing with plagiarism.
Are you unsure what plagiarism is? Here is a great source that explains the many different types of plagiarism: Harvard Guide to Using Sources
Late work:
It is your responsibility to pick up any missed work by the end of the first day you return to class.
Per the MCHS handbook:
If a student is absent on a day when an essay is due, the student must still submit the essay to turnitin.com that day.
If a student is aware of an assignment, including quizzes, tests, review material and finals, being due on the day he/she is absent, then the assignment is due the first day that the student returns.
If the student is absent or suspended on the day the assignment is given, then the student has the day he/she returns (to get the assignment) and the assignment is due during the next scheduled meeting time for that class.
Academic Dishonesty:
As stated in the handbook, all work is individual work unless otherwise stated by the teacher. The MCHS handbook clearly defines cheating as "to steal, provide, receive or plagiarize information, knowledge, or work from another and wrongfully obtaining test copies or scores." If you are caught being academically dishonest in class, you will receive 1) a zero on the assignment, and 2) a dean's referral.
Avoiding Plagiarism:
I do not take plagiarism lightly, and I follow the handbook guidelines when dealing with plagiarism.
Are you unsure what plagiarism is? Here is a great source that explains the many different types of plagiarism: Harvard Guide to Using Sources
Late work:
It is your responsibility to pick up any missed work by the end of the first day you return to class.
Per the MCHS handbook:
If a student is absent on a day when an essay is due, the student must still submit the essay to turnitin.com that day.
If a student is aware of an assignment, including quizzes, tests, review material and finals, being due on the day he/she is absent, then the assignment is due the first day that the student returns.
If the student is absent or suspended on the day the assignment is given, then the student has the day he/she returns (to get the assignment) and the assignment is due during the next scheduled meeting time for that class.
Helpful links:
MLA help: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
MLA 8th Edition video
Link to Common App essays: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompt
MLA help: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
MLA 8th Edition video
Link to Common App essays: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018-essay-prompt