Composition Two Syllabus

Composition Class 

Analysis and Interpretation 

 

Instructor: Mrs. Megan Piercey 

Contact Information: Call or Text: 256-384-6081 Email (preferred): meganleapiercey@gmail.com 

Supplies Needed: Student Textbook – Composition Two, Analysis and Interpretation (published by WORLD News Group and Veritas Press), The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition by William Strunk Jr. And E.B. White. Both books can be ordered from veritaspress.com.  

Students must bring the following items to each class: student textbooks, binders for handouts, lined paper for note-taking and class activities, pencil/pen/highlighters and completed homework. 

 Homework must be submitted on time and may be sent by email if a student will be absent.  Please notify me in advance if a student will be absent or if an assignment will be submitted late due to family sickness or vacations.  

ANYONE WHO HAS TAKEN MY CLASSES KNOWS THAT I AM A BAKER AND THAT I LOVE TO SURPRISE MY STUDENTS WITH OCCASIONAL TREATS! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES.  

Class Objectives: In addition to completing weekly homework exercises and engaging in lively class activities, students will accomplish the following assignments over the next two semesters: 

• Write posts for our class blog. 

• Conduct an interview and present a slideshow to the class. 

• Complete a thorough article critique with the assistance of classmates. 

• Write a compelling persuasive essay (See page 182 in textbook for a description of this assignment). 

• Write an engaging research paper (see page 246 in textbook for a description of this assignment). 

• Compile a portfolio with a collection of genre artifacts.  

• Experiment with writing poetry. 

 

Semester Grading: 

Class Participation (50%): Students should come to every class prepared and ready to engage in lectures and class activities. Students will be expected to give respectful attention to the instructor, participate in discussions, and show courtesy and empathy to classmates during presentations and peer reviews. 

Homework (25%): Students are required to hand in all homework assignments on the due dates (in-person or by email). If a student is struggling with a particular assignment, he/she may contact the instructor to ask for assistance and/or extra time to complete the assignment.   

Essays (25%): Students may submit multiple drafts of essays. I am willing to assist with editing until students are happy with their work and with the grades they have earned. 😊  

Students and parents will be emailed a progress report and grade at the end of each semester.  

The successful completion of this course will provide each student with a full academic credit.  

Class Schedule: 

MOST WEEKS WE WILL BE COVERING 3 LESSONS IN CLASS, COMPLETING A WRITING EXERCISE AT HOME, AND PRE-READING 3 LESSONS FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK’S CLASS LECTURE. EACH WEDNESDAY, I WILL SEND PARENTS AND STUDENTS AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE COVERED IN CLASS AND EXPLAIN THE WEEK’S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS.  

August 13 (OUR FIRST DAY OF CLASS):  IMPORTANT! PLEASE COME PREPARED!! 

Homework due on 8/13: Bring the following to class: student textbook, binder for notes, lined paper, pen/pencil/highlighters, printed copy of syllabus and class schedule (put in binder). Read the Table of Contents and General Introduction to the student textbook before class. Pre-read Lesson 1 in textbook, and bring a favorite book or article to class.   

In Class: Cover Lessons 1-3. HOMEWORK WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL ON WEDNESDAY AFTER CLASS. PRE-READ LESSONS 4-6 for next week’s lecture. 

August 20:  We will review the homework for Lessons 1-3 and cover Lessons 4-6. 

August 27:  We will review homework for Lessons 4-6 and cover Lessons 7-9. 

September 3:  We will review homework for Lessons 7-9 and cover Lessons 10-12. 

September 10: We will review homework for Lessons 10-12 and cover Lessons 13-15. 

September 17: We will review homework for Lessons 13-15 and cover Lessons 16-18. 

September 24: We will review homework for Lessons 16-18 and cover Lessons 19-21. 

October 1:  We will review homework for Lessons 19-21, and students will present slideshows. 

October 8: We will cover Lessons 22-24. 

October 15: We will review homework for Lessons 22-24 and cover Lessons 25-27. 

October 22: We will review homework for Lessons 25-27 and cover Lessons 28-30. 

October 29: We will review homework for Lessons 28-30 and cover Lessons 31-32. UNIT ASSIGNMENT DUE. 

November 5: We will cover Lessons 33-35. 

November 12: We will review homework for Lessons 33-35 and cover Lessons 36-38. 

November 19: We will review homework for Lessons 36-38 and cover Lessons 39-41.  

CHRISTMAS BREAK 

Spring Semester Composition Class Schedule:  

 

January 14: We will cover Lessons 42-44.  

January 21: We will review homework for Lessons 42-44 and cover Lessons 45-47. 

January 28: We will share our persuasive essays in class and introduce the research paper.  

February 4: We will cover Lessons 48-50 in class.  

February 11: We will review homework for Lessons 48-50 and cover Lessons 51-53.  

February 18: We will review homework for Lessons 51-53 and cover Lessons 54-56. 

February 25: We will review homework for Lessons 54-56 and cover Lessons 57-59. 

March 4: We will review homework for Lessons 57-59 and cover Lessons 60-62. 

March 11: We will review homework for Lessons 60-62 and cover Lessons 63.  Peer review. 

March 18: We will share our research papers in class.  

March 25: We will cover Lessons 64-66 and set up Genre Portfolios.  

April 1: We will review homework for Lessons 64-66 and cover Lessons 67-68. 

April 8: We will review homework for Lessons 67-68 and cover Lessons 69-71. 

April 15: General Overview of the rest of the textbook. 

April 22: Students will present their portfolios and poetry.