J. Addison SchoolCourse Syllabus

Department: English Course Developer: Simon GalloDevelopment Date: March 2014 Course Title: The Writer's CraftCourse reviser/date: Samantha Elliott, 2015 Grade: 12Course Type: University Preparation Course Code: EWC4UCredit Value: 1.0 ` Credit Hours: 110 hours

Developed From: The Ontario Curriculum Grade 11 and 12 English 2007 (revised)Prerequisite: English, Grade 11, University Preparation (ENG3U)Growing Success: Assessment Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools, First Edition Covering Grades 1-12

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course emphasizes knowledge and skills related to the craft of writing. Students will analyse models of effective writing; use a workshop approach to produce a range of works; identify and use techniques required for specialized forms of writing; and identify effective ways to improve the quality of their writing. They will also complete a major paper as part of a creative or analytical independent study project and investigate opportunities for publication and for writing careers.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

Unit Title Time

1 Unit 1: Trainee Programs Lesson One The Writing Process Lesson Two Forms of Writing Lesson Three Research Techniques Lesson Four Style & Mechanics, Researching Lesson Five Building a Diverse Portfolio

24 hours

2 Unit 2: Fiction and Writing For Your Audience Lesson Six Fiction versus Non Fiction Lesson Seven Catering to your audienceLesson Eight Children's Literature: Morals and MessagesLesson Nine The Writing Assignment #1 Lesson Ten The Writing Assignment #2

24 hours

3 Unit 3: Entertainment and Media Department Lesson Eleven Reviews and Profiles Lesson Twelve Mini-Magazine/'Zines Lesson Thirteen Bias and Point of View Lesson Fourteen Writing Your Own Lesson Fifteen What is Journalism?

24 hours

4. Unit 4: Business Department Lesson Sixteen Business Letters and E-mails Lesson Seventeen Literacy, Writing, and Technology Lesson Eighteen Finding a Writer and Writing to Your Writer Lesson Nineteen Investigating University and College Courses Lesson Twenty The Cover Letter and Resume

24 hours

Final Evaluation

Final Performance Task 12 hours

Final Exam 2 hours

Total: 110 hours

1

Strategies for Assessment and Evaluation of Student Performance:

Diagnostic assessment is used at the beginning of a unit to assist in determining a starting point for instruction. Assessment for Learning (AFL) provides information to students as they are learning and refining their skills. Assessment as Learning (AAL) acts as a stepping-stone for students to begin applying their understanding using critical thinking; it bridges the gap between AFL and AOL. Assessment of Learning (AOL), at the end of units and course, provides students with the opportunity to synthesize/apply/demonstrate their learning and the achievement of the expectations.

Percentage of Final Mark Categories of Mark Breakdown

70% Term Work

Unit 1 Writing Process Seminar6% Student Product5% ConversationUnit 2 Children's Book6% Student Product6% Observation Unit 3 Collaborative 'Zine Assignment8 % Student Product6% ObservationUnit 4 Presentation on a Writer10% Student Product6% Observation Unit 4 Resume and Cover Letter10% Student Product7 % Conversation

30% Final Evaluation 10% Writing Portfolio (Ongoing)Conversation20% Written ExamStudent Product

Within the 70% term mark and the 30% final mark, the breakdown of the achievement chart categories will be approximately 25% Knowledge/Understanding, Application 25%, Communication 25%, and Thinking/Inquiry 25%.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is a key component of the learning and evaluation of courses offered at J. Addison School. Regular attendance at school is critical for the student’s learning and achievement of course expectations. . Students are to be in school and on time for all classes, including Homeroom. Students who do not attend school regularly or fail courses may jeopardize their attainment of an OSSD

Late to Class:

Students are expected to arrive to classes on time and are given 5 minutes travel time between classes. Students should keep to the right, move along briskly, and should not block the passageways by stopping for social gatherings around their lockers, washrooms, or classroom doors. STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN ‘EXIT PASS’ TO BE IN THE HALLWAYS. Students late to class will be monitored and disciplined by the teacher. Excessive lates will be reported to the School Administrator for further action.

Skipping Class / Truancy / Skipping Detention:

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and school activities (such as assemblies). Failure to do so will be considered skipping. Students may be reported to the Province’s Attendance Counselor and students and parents/guardians may face truancy charges. Students who are absent from school or suspended must not be found on school property. Students who skip detention may be further disciplined.

2

Plagiarism/Cheating

If a student has knowingly produced a plagiarized assignment the teacher will not evaluate the work and may assign a grade of zero and/or may assign a substitute assignment. Guidelines for missed assignments will apply.

Cheating in any form will result in a mark of zero for all tests and exams. Students will not receive any part marks or have partial mark deductions. Students who receive a zero will not be allowed to write amended tests or examinations.

Missed and Late Assignments Policy

Teachers will make it clear to the students and parents/guardians early in the school year that they are responsible not only for their behaviour in the classroom/school but also for providing evidence of their achievement of the overall expectations within the time frame specified by the teacher and in a form approved by the teacher. Students must understand that there will be consequences for not completing assignments for evaluation or for submitting those assignments late. Where in the teacher’s professional judgment it is appropriate to do so, a number of strategies will be used to encourage the student to modify his/her behaviour. Some of these may include:

Asking the student to clarify the reason for not completing the assignment taking into consideration legitimate reasons for missed deadlines.

Maintaining ongoing communication with students and/or parents about due dates and late assignments, and scheduling conferences with parents if the problem persists.

Setting up a student contract

Providing alternative assignments or tests/exams where, in the teacher’s professional judgment, it is reasonable and appropriate to do so.

Teachers are encouraged to establish a two day window of opportunity for students to complete and submit an assignment. If a student does not submit work by the due date teachers should employ the model of deducting 5% each day (excluding weekends). A closure date (the day immediately after the window of opportunity) will be established at which point assignments will not be accepted.

Students and parent/guardians will be informed in a timely fashion via phone call, face to face conference, e-mail and if need be a formal letter about the importance of submitting assignments for evaluation when they are due and about the consequences for students who submit assignments late or fail to submit assignments. If the above measures have been put into place and the behaviour of the student has not provided sufficient evidence, then 0 will be inserted as the mark for the missed assignment.

RESOURCES EWC4U – The Writer’s Craft (Copyright © Durham Continuing Education, 2004)

Other helpful Resources:OWL Perdue Online Writing Lab:

General Writing Help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/ MLA Help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ ESL Help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/3/

Other handouts, documents and online resources will be provided by the teacher.

3