College Writing 2.2x, English Grammar and Essay Writing
Maggie Sokolik, Ph.D., Instructor
Follow me on Twitter: @maggiesokolik, we're using the hashtag #cwp2x for this course.
You can also follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Sokolik/
Join our announcements-only class Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/CWP2X/
Course Description
College Writing 2.2x is the second part of a 3-part course (2.1x was offered previously.) It is not necessary to complete part 1 in order to take part 2. There are no prerequisites except that you must know English well enough to take a course taught entirely in English.
In this part of the course, you will focus on proofreading and self-editing; revision vs. editing; common errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling; understanding tone and diction; vocabulary development. The course materials will be offered via readings, videos, and various types of homework assignments. There are suggested optional textbooks for additional writing work. You will participate in online discussions as well as peer review of your writing. You will complete one full essay for this part of the course.
Recommended texts:
Textbooks are not required. There are some recommended eBooks and online tools.
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A note about piracy of books: The course and its material are offered for free, and we encourage you to take advantage of all the resources. However, we do not support the theft of copyrighted material. Offering pirated material in the course will result in such offers being deleted. Continued violations of this rule could result in being banned from the course.Don't pirate! Writers and publishers are workers, too, and deserve to be paid for their work. |
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We are offering the book How to Be a Successful MOOC Student, written by Maggie Sokolik and Dorothy Zemach, and published by Wayzgoose Press (2014), for half price. You can purchase a copy for half-price ($1.50 US) from Smashwords: smashwords.com/books/view/472533 and use the coupon code CS84P to get your discount. For a paperback copy of the book, go to: amazon.com/How-Be-Successful-MOOC-Student/dp/1938757157. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a discount on the paper copy.  A second book that might be useful for you is: Sixty Words or Phrases Commonly Misused by ESL/EFL Students Preparing for Universities. You can get your copy for half price at smashwords.com/books/view/454895, use the coupon code: HA89M. |
Bonus books1. English Grammar and Essay Writing, by Maggie Sokolik, Wayzgoose Press
This workbook was written specifically for this course. It contains excerpts of the course material as well as extra writing materials. It is being provided for a low price of $2.99 US, by Wayzgoose Press.
Smashwords: smashwords.com/books/view/397596
Amazon: amazon.com/English-Grammar-Writing-Workbook-College-ebook/dp/B00HUIJHPE/.
(Amazon sometimes adds approximately $2 US in VAT to international orders outside of countries served by Amazon International. Smashwords does not charge international VAT.)
Kobo: store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/principles-of-written-english-workbook-2
Apple iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/book/id796775908
Barnes & Noble: barnesandnoble.com/w/principles-of-written-english-workbook-2-maggie-sokolik/1118054212
2. 50 Ways to Practice Writing, by Dorothy Zemach, Wayzgoose Press
This very low-cost ebook ($0.99 US) gives you even more practice in writing.
Smashwords.com, smashwords.com/books/view/332495
Apple iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/book/fifty-ways-to-practice-writing/id672532392
All 50 Ways to Practice books are available as audiobooks as well. Find more information at: wayzgoosepress.com/audiobooks.html
Also available at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Ways-Practice-Writing-ebook/dp/B00DREJGLA/
3. Pearson Writer, Pearson Higher Education
Pearson Writer is a set of integrated writing tools, including grammar references, research aids, and writing editors, to help you with every aspect of your writing. They have created a website especially for this course. Their materials are available on a subscription basis, and the price varies with the length of time you want to access the materials.
You can find our course's Pearson website at: pearsoncustom.com/ca/ucberkeley_writing/.
4. 50 Ways to Practice Vocabulary, by Belinda Young Davy, Wayzgoose Press:
Smashwords: smashwords.com/books/view/277035
Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B00B3MKNZ6
Apple iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/book/fifty-ways-to-practice-vocabulary/id596676447
Kobo: store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/fifty-ways-to-practice-vocabulary-tips-for-esl-efl-students
Barnes & Noble: barnesandnoble.com/w/fifty-ways-to-practice-vocabulary-belinda-young-davy/1114304946
We also recommend:
Grading Policy
This course requires that you score 50% or higher as an average of all assignments that are marked as homework. You know these by the clock icon.
(Even if you miss some assignments, as long as your average is 50%, you can get a certificate.)
You need to finish the homework assignments by the date due to get credit.
Additional homework does not count towards your point total. This is for those who have the time to do extra work.
If you pass the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Your certificate will be delivered online through edx.org. So be sure to check your email in the weeks following the final grading – you will be able to download and print your certificate. You may also take this course as a Verified course for a fee. Please see the edX.org site for more information.
More information about policies is found at the student FAQ: edx.org/student-faq
Course Outline
Week 1 – Vocabulary Development
Week 2 – Understanding Tone and Diction
Week 3 – Common Errors in Writing
Week 4 – Advanced Process Writing
A first draft of your essay is due this week.
Week 5 – Advanced Revising, Proofreading, and Editing
A final draft of your final paper is due this week.