Weekly Assignments: EBS 031-601

Bergen Community College

Division of Arts and Humanities, English Department

Fall 2009 (9/3/09-12/21/09): English Basic Skills

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Week 1: Course Introduction
Syllabus discussed and signed, homework buddies, understanding the research process

Week 2: Brainstorming a Research Topic
Finding an open-ended subject of interest to research

Week 3: Narrowing the Subject into a Topic
Choosing one research area/question, beginning preliminary research on an open-ended research question

Brainstorming List Due

Week 4: Formulating a Thesis
Developing a main argument, perspective, and opinion

Thesis Statement Due Friday, October 8, midnight, by email.

Week 5: Supporting a Thesis

Formulate three strong topic sentences that support your main idea; revise and adapt your thesis so it demonstrates a point of view

Revised Thesis and Three Topic Sentences Due Friday, October 16, midnight, by email.

Week 6: Developing a Research Strategy; Gathering Sources
Locating and searching for useful, valid sources; primary and secondary sources; using the library search engines; Lexus Nexus; the library as a resource; types of sources

Week 7: Gathering Additional Sources; Completing a Detailed Outline
Analyzing your thesis in relation to sources found; gathering 10 sources together and comprising them into one list; finalizing the outline

List of your Top 10 Sources due; Final Version of Outline Due (both due next class, or, by email before class)

Week 8: Reading Comprehension; Dissecting Your Sources

Analyze and dissect your sources; find information that is relevant to your thesis and supporting topic sentences; responding in a logical manner to the given question; responding completely to all parts of the question; what to do with the information you find regarding how to cite using MLA; locating and searching for more specific sources; MLA citations and a Works Cited page

Future Assignments Due: Source Notes, Final Draft of Paper (and, any other accompanying drafts), Works Cited Page

Week 9: Adapting your Topic Sentences and Thesis

**STUDENT CONFERENCES BEGIN**

Week 10: Writing the Rough Draft

Week 11: Student Conferences Begin:

At this point in the semester (starting with 10/9/09's class, students will meet with me for individual writing conferences.  These are optional and are at the same time and place as our usual weekly class hours  Because we only meet once a week for an hour, I think this method will allow me to provide everyone with complete personal attention regarding your essay topics. :) During these conferences, I will let you know if you are missing any assignments (I will collect and accept late assignments, but will take a few points off for late work, FYI), I will answer all questions for you about your paper and the writing process, gathering sources, interviewing people by phone or in person for research, and, most importantly, I will help you revise and edit your essay draft, and cite correctly.  If you email me any work or questions before we actually meet, this helps me better prepare for our conference.  Please feel free to email me any time in between conferences with additional questions about your paper.  If you need more than one conference, please let me know and I would be glad to help! :)  PS: Click on "Creating a Works Cited Page" on the left to get more information about how to cite your information.

Week 12: More Writing a Rough Draft-Week 15: Final Revisions and Conferences

Week 16: Final day of class...Course Conclusion & Student course evaluations