ECW: August 28th Class

Hello All,
Welcome to my blog! I hope you will find it helpful. If you're not sure about homework, or you forgot what we learned in class (!?- it happens!), all you have to do is type in the blog address and you're all set.
In today's entry, you'll find your syllabus, course outline and assignmetn sheet, as well as homework reminder.
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IMPORTANT DATES TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR RIGHT NOW!!!

October 16th: Mid-term written exam (units 1-6)
October 23rd: 1st Written Assignment Due

December 4th: 2nd Written Assignment Due
December 11th: Final Written Exam (units 7-11)
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SYLLABUS

Hansung University, English Department
ECW- English Communication and Writing
Instructor: Bianca Brankica Turalija
Fall Semester 2006
Email: biancatur@rocketmail.com or 110558@hansung.ac.kr
MSN: biancatur2@hotmail.com
Tel. 760-4398 // Cell: (011) 1762-1967
Office: Professors Building, Room 824
My blog: http://magistragrande.blogspot.com

General Description of the Course

To successfully complete this course, you must have:
a) Textbook: Writing from Within, by Curtis Kelly and Arlen Gargagliano. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
b) A blank A4 Size notebook
c) A range of pencils and pens, erasers, etc,. – it’s a writing class!

My experience as an EFL university instructor has taught me that the majority of Korean students find writing in English the hardest aspect of their language learning efforts. The problems start immediately at the sentence level with students not being able to express their thoughts in proper, grammatically and syntactically correct sentences. Subsequently, there are difficulties in stringing the sentence into comprehensible and cohesive paragraphs, and ultimately essays.

How to solve this problem, then? Simply: by teaching students how to organize their thoughts in writing, starting from the sentence and moving onto more complex segments of text. The objective of this course is to teach students how to generate topics, how to write cohesive sentences and paragraphs and how to organize them in logically connected expository compositions. “Expository” simply means something that describes or explains. The kind of writing I am aiming to teach you is the kind you will have to do in both academic and business environments.

Anyone can learn to mimic models: if you’re taught how to write an invitation card, you can more or less mimic it successfully. However, if you want to be a truly good writer in English, you need to go beyond that. Excellence in writing comes from within, from your own thoughts and feelings, and leads to discovery of self, of others and the world around you. Activities that we will do in this class will encourage you to use your creativity, to think, and most importantly to have fun with writing.

The focus of each unit is one writing assignment. Some assignments are introspective – they force you to think about yourself (e.g. a major event in your life), others are more practical (e.g. you’re asked to plan a trip abroad, or write a magazine article). I am hoping to provide a variety of expository modes of writing and a wide range of writing experiences. Before tackling your composition assignment, I will teach you the basics, and you will start writing in class, finishing at home if necessary. The basics include the pre-writing activities (brainstorming, paragraph analysis, organizational practices, model analysis) and post-writing activities (editing, giving feedback, and optional writing).
Don’t forget: writing is a skill and IT CAN BE LEARNED. In the words of the textbook authors: “learning to write is like learning how to play a musical instrument: the more you practice the better you’ll be.” Also, remember, good writers are necessarily avid readers, so the more you read the better you’ll write.

2. Grading policy

Hansung University follows the ‘bell curve’ grading system. Simply put, you are competing against one another. Please, remember that when it comes to grading, what you give is what you get. If you are not putting in the maximum effort, you cannot expect to get the highest grade.
Official university policy dictates that each class be graded accordingly:

A= 30% of the class
B= 40% of the class
C,D,F, = 30% of the class

3. In class grading will be as follows:

Attendance: 10 %
Participation and Homework = 20%
Personal Weekly Journal and Book Review = 20%
Mid-term Written Exam ( 10% ) and Final Written Exam (10%) = 20%
Mid-term Written Assignment (10%) and Final Written Assignment (20%) = 30%

4. Attendance policy

The rule is very simple: your regular and on-time attendance is a must.
Two lates count for one absent; five absents will land you the final grade D, regardless of your performance in any other aspect of this course; more than 5 absents will result in an automatic failing grade F. You will be excused for illness or family emergency in which case you need to call me in advance and later supply a written proof (a doctor’s note or a signed letter from a parent or guardian). Bear in mind that attendance and participation go hand-in-hand and combined they count for 30% of your final grade.

5. Courtesy and the Rest

I do not tolerate the use of cell phones during the class. Please, switch them off. If I see you using your phone during the class, I will give you an absent.

Only English is allowed during the class. The rule: K+K= A. Each time you use Korean, you and your partner(s) will get a K. Two K’s will land you an absent.

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ECW- COURSE OUTLINE
Hansung University, English Department
Instructor: Bianca Brankica Turalija; Fall Semester 2006


August 28th: General Introduction to the Course

Week 1
Sept. 4th
Unit 1: About me
A paragraph about things I like to do // A paragraph about myself

Week 2
Sept. 11th
Unit 2: Career consultant
A composition about career choice // A letter requesting information
Week 3
Sept. 18th
Unit 3 : A dream come true
A magazine article about a classmate // A resume
Week 4
Sept. 25th
Unit 4: Invent!
A composition about an invention // A letter to a company about a product
Week 5
Oct. 2
Unit 5: It changed my life!
A composition about an important day // Designing a greeting card
Week 6
Oct. 9th
Unit 6: Exciting destinations
Preparations for mid-term exam
A guide book article about a one-day tour// A letter requesting information
Week 7
Oct. 16th
Mid-term written exam
Units 1-6
Week 8
Oct. 23rd
1st Written Assignment
Unit 7: Research survey
A research report // A restaurant guide

Week 9
Oct. 30th
Unit 8: The power interview
An article about interviewing techniques // A report on an interview
Week 10
Nov. 6th
Unit 9: Personal Goals
A letter to self about goals // An article about a classmate and myself
Week 11
Nov. 13th
Unit 10: Architect
A composition about a building design // Designing a building poster
Week 12
Nov. 20
Unit 11: My role models
A composition about an important person // A letter to the person who influenced me
Week 13
Nov. 27th
Unit 12: Be a reporter
Writing a newspaper article // writing to my teacher
Week 14
Dec. 4th
2nd Written Assignment due
Course Overview // Course Evaluation
Final Exam Preparation, Units 1-7
Week 15
Dec. 11th
Final Written Exam
Units 7-12
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ECW- ASSIGNMENTS SHEET
Hansung University, English Department
Instructor: Bianca Brankica Turalija; Fall Semester 2006

Each student in this class is required to complete and submit two written assignments in addition to the weekly journal and book report entries. The two assignments are based on the writing we will have learned and practiced in the class.

1.Weekly Journal and Book Report Entries (20 % of your grade). Hand-written.
To be submitted each week for evaluation!!!!! Submit in Class.

a. Book Report Entries:

To become a good writer it is necessary to read regularly. Hence, you’re required to purchase/borrow a novel in English, 350-400 pages long, and read approximately 30+ pages per semester week (we have 16 weeks together). You may choose a classic novel (that is not on the reading list for any of your other courses!), a thriller, murder mystery, romance, fantasy book…Suggested authors that are interesting and easy to read: John Grisham, James Patterson, Danielle Steel, Sue Grafton, Stephen King, Sophie Kinsella, and many, many others. Just browse some bookstores and read the back cover of the book to see what the book is all about and if it would interest you.
Please, bring your chosen book to the next class to get an approval from me. Please, keep the receipt of purchase with you so that you can return it, in case of not getting the green light. For information on the locations of bookstores in Seoul where books in English are available, please scroll down to the bottom of the blog. One of the best places is in Itaewon for books in English is the used bookstore called What the Book. The books there are cheaper, the staff is helpful, and the selection is excellent.

After you have read your weekly 30+ pages , you are required to write a summary of what you have read. The summary should be between ½ page to 2/3 page, hand-written on a piece paper torn from your A4 notebook. What should you write about is basically the summary of what happens in the section you have read, who does what, any interesting descriptions, what do you like about it, what do you dislike, etc.

b. Journal entries. One of the best ways to practice writing is keeping a daily journal.( I strongly encourage you to keep you own private journal in English and write every day 15-20 sentences. However, due to time constraints, I am not able to mark daily journals, only the weekly ones.). For this course, you are required to submit a ½ to 2/3 page journal entry each week. How should you go about your journal entry? At the end of each week, think about the week that has just passed and pick the most interesting thing that you did (good or bad), witnessed, read or heard about, the most interesting person you met, anything that strikes you as worth writing about.
2. 1st Written Assignment. Typed. (10% of your grade) Due Date: October 23, 2006. Submit in Class.

You are required to type a 1- 1,5 A4 page, double-spaced composition. The 1st assignment must have an introductory paragraph, plus additional three paragraphs. I will further explain the details regarding your assignments in the class. You have a choice between the following two topics: :

a) A major event in my life / An event that changed my life (based on Unit 5)
If you think hard, I am certain you will find a moment or a day that has changed your life or you forever. It could be something sad, like losing a loved one, breaking up with a partner, not passing a test, or something joyous like falling in love, getting a high TOEIC score, winning a lottery (why not? – it happens), etc.

b) A guidebook article about the one-day tour you planned. (based on Unit 6).
For this assignment you will research a popular tourist city, plan a perfect day tour and write an article about it in a guide-book style.

3. 2nd Written Assignment. Typed. (20% of your final grade). Due Dec. 4th. Submit in class.

Your second assignment is a 1,5 -2 A4 page, double-spaced five-paragraph composition. The assignment must have an introductory and summary paragraph, as well as three paragraphs in the body of the composition.

You have a choice between two topics:

a) A restaurant review (based on lesson 7).

You will have to describe the décor and atmosphere inside a restaurant of your choice, the quality of service and food there, its best and worst features, any other comments. Make sure that you use many descriptive words.

b) An important person that influenced me.

You are going to write a composition about a person that influenced you. In the introductory paragraph you will introduce this person: who (s)he is, what (s)he does, what is his/her relationship to you. In the concluding paragraph you will say how your life would be different without this person. Body paragraphs might deal with any of the following: positive characteristics of this person, what you learned from this person, which problems this person helped you solve, an incident that shows why this person is very important to you, etc.
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1st and 2nd Assignment Rubric

1.The writer includes three adequately long paragraphs that focus on a topic
No 0
Barely
Somewhat 3
Sufficiently 4
Adequately 5
Total
2.The writer includes an introductory paragraph that contains a topic sentence that focuses on the overall message of the text
No 0
Barely 2
Somewhat 3
Sufficiently 4
Adequately 5

3.The writer supports the main ideas in paragraphs with facts, details and examples

No 0
Poorly 2
Somewhat 3
Sufficiently 4
Adequately 5

4.The writer uses transitions between sentences and paragraphs to unify ideas
No 0
Poorly 2
Somewhat 3
Sufficiently 4
Adequately 5

5.The writer uses a variety of vocabulary and sentence types

No 0
Poorly 2
Somewhat 3
Sufficiently 4
Adequately 5

6. The writer’s use of grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling
Extremely poor 0
Poor 2
Good 3
V. good 4
Excellent 5
Grand Total (max. 30)
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Journal And Book REport Entry
1.Adequate length (1-1,5 page combined) - Sufficient Use of Details
V. poor 1
Poor 2
Good 3
V. Good 4
Excellent 5
Total
2.Varied vocabulary

V. poor 1
Poor 2
Good 3
V. Good 4
Excellent 5

3.Logical organization (easy to follow)
V. poor 1
Poor 2
Good 3
V. Good 4
Excellent 5

4.Quality of Language (grammar, punctuation, vocabulary)

V. poor 1
Poor 2
Good 3
V. Good 4
Excellent 5

5.Level of interest
V. poor 1
Poor 2
Good 3
V. good 4
Excellent 5
Grand Total (max. 25)

Grand



Journal and Book Report Entries Rubric
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Bookstores


JONGNO
Kyobo Book Store (Gwanghwamun Stn. Purple Line 5)Huge bookstore with an entrance from Gwanghwamun Subway Station. The English department is probably the best in this area for new books. There is also a wide range of ESL books.
Youngpoong Book Store (Jonggak Stn. Dark Blue Line 1)Similar to Kyobo, the entrance to this store is on the kitty corner across from Jongno Tower.
English PlusSpecialising in ESL books, this chain bookstore has a branch in Jongno on the main road. Call 02 732 5131 for more information.
Seoul Selection (Purple Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2)Seoul Selection offers a wide range of books on Korean culture for the English-speaking community, also selling DVDs and CDs. Situated on the street on the east side of Gyeongbokgung Palace across from the parking lot.
Royal Asiatic Society (Blue Subway Line 1, Jongno 5-ga, walk north)The Royal Asiatic Society has the widest selection of books on Korea, but nothing else. Situated in Daehangno in Room 611 of the Korean Christian Building.
ITAEWON - USED ENGLISH BOOKSTORES
What the Book? (Brown Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station)Although relatively new, the owners have worked hard to build their store to be the largest used bookstore in Seoul. 'What the Book?' is a nice looking place where you will be greeted with friendly faces and free coffee. For directions, check the website. Books can also be ordered online. http://whatthebook.com/
Abby's Book Nook (Itaewon Stn. Brown Line 6, ex. 3 near 3 Alley pub)Used English books
Itaewon Foreign Bookstore (Brown Subway Line 6, Noksapyeong Station, to the right of Italianis Restaurant)Used English books
GANGNAM
Jinsol Book Center (Green Subway Line 2, Gangnam Station)This is probably the best bookstore in this area, especially for computer books. From Gangnam Station, walk for 10minutes towards Yangjae Rotary.
Kim & Johnson (Green Subway Line 2, Gangnam Station)This ESL English book company's Gangnam branch can be found on the 3rd floor above the Marche Movenpick Restaurant near Gangnam Subway Station
Bandi & Luni's (Green Subway Line 2, Samseong Station)s
This bookstore in COEX Mall has a good English selection.
INTERNET
YesAsia.co.krFor living in Asia, a better alternative to Amazon is YesAsia.co.kr, an online order and delivery service. Many of the books are cheaper than in the stores.
What the Book? http://www.whatthebook.com. Used English books can be ordered online from this store based in Itaewon, check this link: http://www.whatthebook.netfirms.com/
The directions to the store you'll find by clicking on: http://www.whatthebook.com/visit.html
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Homework:

Please, answer the following questions in the full sentence form and submit next week together with a picture of yourself. Hand-written.

1. What is your name?
2. Do you use an English name? If not, would you like to? Which name would you choose?
3. What is your email and cell phone number?
4.Where are you from? (If you’re not from Seoul, how long have you lived here?)
5.Where do you live and how long does it take you to get to school? (the part of the city and the closest subway station – the name and the line, e.g. “I live in Sungbuk-gu, Hansung University Station, Line 4. It takes me 5 minutes to get to school)
6.Who do you live with?
7.How many are you in your family?
8.What are your majors?
9.What do you do in your free time?
10. What kind of movies do you like?
11.Which country would you like to visit and why?