Composition 104

Composition 104 is an honors composition class, designed for advanced students who have shown a strong mastery of voice and the structures of various types of writing. This class is for 8th to 12th graders who have had structured writing instruction in the past or have successfully completed Composition 103 or an equivalent class.

$545.00

Composition 104 is an honors composition class, designed for advanced students who have shown a strong mastery of voice and the structures of various types of writing. This class is recommended for students who have a recommendation from a coach or have shown a high level of skill in an equivalent class.

Students in this class will focus on refining their composition skills in a variety of styles, including description, memoir, narrative, exposition, comparison and persuasion. Students will learn skills to increase the richness of their voice. Research will be required for several assignments.

The final unit of the course will include a multi-week research project. Self-reflection and independence in writing are highlighted in this class. Timed essay tests are also practiced. Students use a workshop approach to critique, revise, and edit one another’s work.

This class meets honors diploma requirements in most states. Please be sure to check your state guidelines to ensure honors credit for your student.

Details

Requirements

Sample Syllabus

Time Expectation:

Classes have daily assignments. Some assignments span several days to give flexibility. Assignments are intended to take approximately 1-1½ hours a day to complete.

Class Objectives:

Demonstrate a proficiency at sentence variety, mechanics, and grammar
Demonstrate a highly developed voice across all styles of writing
Write in several different styles, including narration, exposition, comparison, poetry, and description
Engage in self-evaluation as part of the revision process
Display the specialized skills needed to complete timed essay tests

Class Features:

Students will submit their memoir and fictional story to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards writing contest
Students will have daily contact with a coach who evaluates mastery and skills and peers to discuss activities and workshop writingDaily contact with a coach who evaluates mastery and skills will be provided
Students will practice in-class timed essays and fully developed and revised papers.
An online classroom will teach students time management and appropriate cyber behavior in a controlled environment.
A Parent Handbook in ebook form is included. This handbook gives you tips and suggestions for how to help/guide your child in their work. Weekly parent suggestions are also given in the classroom materials.

Class Requirements:

Composition 104 is designed for 8th to 12th graders who have had structured writing instruction in the past or have successfully completed Composition 103 or equivalent class.

Required Class Materials:

Write from the Heart: A Resource Guide to Engage Writers—available in our online store
One novel of the student’s choice
Three fiction short stories of the student’s choice (resources provided)
Collection of six poems of the student’s choice (resources provided)

Monday-Thursday Complete these three tasks. 1) Go look at the outline you posted last week for your coach’s comments. If it is approved, begin writing the rough draft of your Comparison Paper. Keep in mind when you talk about things that happen in a book that you should use present tense verbs. This is called the “literary present tense” and it is explained on page 267 of the Resource Guide handbook. 2) Post your book review to the Week 16 Board, “Comparison Paper - Rough Draft.” When you post, ask peer questions so your partner can help with any areas you think are weak. 3) Your next paper will be a Persuasive paper. Persuasive papers are ones that work to convince an audience to believe your point of view. Go to the Week 17 Board to read about your Persuasive assignment and look at the examples there. Begin thinking about who you would like to persuade. Your outline will be due in Week 17. Use one of these days as a flex day! Remember, a flex day can be used to take one day off, to spend extra time writing, or to get ahead on an assignment next week. Friday Peer Review Day!! Complete a Peer Content Review on your partner’s comparison paper by addressing these items. In order to receive full homework credit, you must provide answers to each item. Partners are listed in the “Partner Pairings” Folder. Remember, you MUST do this, even if you didn’t post your own paper. This is worth 20 points. Your grade will reflect your ability to provide quality and thorough help. If an item does not need to be changed, specifically say so or your coach might think you forgot to check for it. Here is what you need to respond to: