English 109 - Writing for Trades/Professional

Technical Degree
Course Description
Teaches critical reading and clear, effective, practical
college writing. Readings are keyed to career/technical
topics. Writing assignments reflect actual work
products, including letters, memoranda, surveys,
reports, evaluations, and proposals.

Prerequisite
ENGL 081, or eligible for READ 104 or instructor's
permission.

Instructor: Rhiannon Hillman Quarter: Winter 2017

Email: [email protected] Section #: 3331
Office Hours: TBD Classroom: HL 152
Office Location: TBD Days/Times: Daily 12-12:50pm

Course Content Learning Outcomes

Since English 109 is taught by several instructors, assignments and texts may vary. However,
assignments and texts are discussed by all 109 instructors and are planned to meet the following
objectives. To fulfill the requirement of English 109, the student should be able to:
1) identify and analyze needs of a variety of audiences.
2) select approaches and formats appropriate to the message and the audience.
3) complete their writing projects by including appropriate graphics.
4) write clear, concise, objective explanations of process or problems.
5) write group communications that may include agenda, minutes, and summaries of work
done and work to do.
6) improve their sentence, paragraph and composition skills.

To demonstrate proficiency in these course content outcomes, students will analyze and discuss
work situations and develop written responses that effectively combine the purpose, the
information, and the audience needs. Students will produce communication which include letters,
memoranda, instructions, descriptions, summaries, an objective report, and an oral presentation.

Required Text
Technical Communication, 11th Edition, by Mike Markel
ISBN# 978-1-4576-8847-8

This textbook is costly (around $115 new, $69 used) so I recommend that you rent it, which can
cost as little as $33. Use www.textbookrentals.com to compare prices. Be sure to check when it
will arrive, as you will need the text no later than the 2nd week of class (beginning January 9th).
Campus Wide Learning Outcomes
 Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized
by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts,
and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers
routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an
improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual
traits over time.
 Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be
effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize
the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work
successfully individually and with others.
 Quantitative Reasoning encompasses abilities necessary for a student to become literate
in today’s technological world. Quantitative reasoning begins with basic skills and
extends to problem solving.
 Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression
of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.

Methods of Evaluation
1) Reading quizzes will demonstrate the quality of comprehension and writing, and writing
assignments will challenge scholars to demonstrate their working knowledge of a variety
of rhetorical, grammatical, and stylistic devices and techniques.
2) You MUST be present if you wish to pass this course.
3) Class participation is required. This means coming to class every day on time and
equipped with the appropriate books and materials. Students must also be willing to open
their minds to think critically, and to meaningfully and respectfully engage in group and
classroom discussions.

Workload and Preparation

To succeed in this course, come to class prepared to participate. Your participation is evaluated
based on your preparation, your active contributions to class, your engaged participation in
small-group discussion and class activities, and your overall efforts at contributing to a positive,
respectful, and intellectually stimulating class environment. Read ahead and review texts and
notes as much as possible. For every scheduled reading assignment closely read the text,
underlining and making annotations in the margins. Writing in your textbooks is strongly
encouraged and is an excellent study aid. Come prepared to class with questions and comments
about the assigned reading.

Course Requirements
Portfolio (Summaries, Reading Responses, 25%
In-class writings, Homework, etc.)
Create a Lesson 20%
Website for Small Business 35%
Attendance/Participation 20%
Grades are based on the following grade scale:
Letter Decimal Percentage Notes
A 4.0-3.9 100-96
A- 3.8-3.6 95-93
B+ 3.5-3.3 92-85
B 3.2-3.0 84-80
B- 2.9-2.7 79-77
C+ 2.6-2.3 76-74
C 2.2-2.0 73-70 Required to move onto English 126, 127 & 128
C- 1.9-1.7 69-67
1.5 ***Required to receive a passing (P) grade
D+ 1.6-1.3 66-64
D 1.2-1.0 63-61 Lowest passing decimal grade
D- 0.9-0.7 60-59
F 0.6 58 Failure or unofficial withdrawal. No credit given.

*Every major writing assignment must be completed in order to pass the class. Keep all
returned work. Do not throw away work that you have done until the semester is over. I
suggest that you have a binder or a folder in which you put all graded work. Not only will this
help you prepare for other class assignments, but it will ensure that you have your own personal
record of work completed for this course. Homework and participation points will be LOST if
you show up unprepared and not having read the week’s assignments.

Student Responsibilities in Class

A college classroom is a community of learners. As a member of this community, you have the
following responsibilities: Show up on time, be present, be ready, open and willing to learn and
share ideas, be respectful, be prepared (having done the assignments), and be ready to participate
(ask questions, engage in discussions, offer your views, electronic devices turned off).

Cellphone & Electronics Policy

Please note that, unless otherwise told, electronic devices are to be TURNED OFF or
SILENCED during our class period. Students who are on their cellphones will be asked to leave
and will receive an absence for the day. Do not be that person! We’re here to learn. The world
can wait. (If you are expecting an important call, please notify me BEFORE class begins).

Canvas
Canvas is an integral component to this course, so you are required to familiarize yourself with
it, as well as utilize it fully. You will be submitting most homework via Canvas, and you will be
required to use it for several class assignments throughout the quarter. Please note that I send all
class communications through Canvas, so be sure to set up your preferred method(s) of receiving
these communications.

Absences
I expect you to be present at each class meeting, prepared and ready to go. I realize that life
happens and there may be times in which you are unable to attend. For this reason, please
exchange contact information with at least two of you peers – emails and phone numbers – as it
is your responsibility to contact them (NOT ME) when you are absent to find out what you’ve
missed. Do this now in the space provided below.

NAME EMAIL PHONE #

I do my best to keep Canvas updated, so check there as well. Attendance and participation are
worth 20% of your grade and will often be the defining factor when it comes to grading time that
can either push your grade up or drop it down.

Partial Absences
Class begins promptly at the start of the hour. Being late to class or leaving class early
constitutes 1/3 of an absence; thus, leaving early or being late to 3 classes counts as a full
absence. Missing an hour of class will count as a full absence. An absence is not an excuse for
being uninformed; you are responsible for any and all information presented at missed classes,
including changes to assignments and deadlines.

Late Work
Really simple – I do NOT accept late work, under any conditions. If you know you will not be
able to attend class, it is your responsibility to either arrange for a classmate to hand it in for you,
or email it to me BEFORE the start of the class you will be missing. The email must be time
stamped before the beginning of our class start time for me to accept it.

COME TO CLASS!!! Each class builds on the next. If you miss class, for whatever reason, you
are missing a necessary building block in the foundation of your reading and writing skills.
If you do miss class, it is your responsibility to connect with a classmate to find out what you
missed. Everything you need is either posted on our class Canvas page, on the syllabus, or
readily available from someone who did attend class.

Plagiarism
DON’T DO IT!!! In this class you will submit your writing assignments via special software
designed to detect plagiarism, but most English professors do not need to rely on technology to
spot it. I will get to know your style, vocabulary and organization techniques through reading
your essays, in-class quizzes and homework. See the college catalog and website for Green
River’s policy on plagiarism.

Homework
Homework is due on the date specified and no later. Please do not tell me of your printing issues
when homework is due – get it done before class. If you are sick or know ahead of time that you
will be missing class, please submit your homework on our class Canvas page AND email me an
electronic copy before the start of our class. Or you may give your homework to a classmate, or
bring a hard copy next time you attend class.
Now a little advice…
Show up, pay attention, and care. Listen to others. Be open. Read your assignments. Check
Canvas regularly. Do your homework. Enjoy yourself. TALK!!! Ask questions. Engage the
material. Engage your peers. Respect others, their property, their minds, ideas, and views. Do not
interrupt. Keep me informed and communicate with me. If in doubt, come see during office
hours 

Campus Resources
Green River CC has a wealth of resources that are available to you, most of which are free. I
encourage you to use these resources to their fullest. They can help you become the best student
possible!

Tutoring and Resource Center Holman Library, 2nd Floor M-F 9am – 3pm
Writing Center RLC 173 M-Th 9am – 3pm
Public Speaking Center HL 150 Varies – Check website or in-person

ADA Statement
If you believe you qualify for course adaptations or special accomodations under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, it is your responsibility to contact Disability Support Services (LSC 274)
and provide them with the appropriate documentation. If you already have a documented
disability or condition through GRCC Disability Support Services that qualifies you for special
accommodations, or if you have emergency medical information or special needs I should know
about, please notify me during the first week of class.

Final Note
I reserve the right to change assignments and their grade value at any point throughout the
quarter. I will always announce this in class, as well as post it to Canvas. ALWAYS check
Canvas regularly to stay on top of required assignments, readings, etc., and contact a classmate if
you miss class.