Grammar and Composition

DESCRIPTION

This course focuses upon the essentials of good communication. It stresses a mastery of writing clear, grammatically correct sentences and paragraphs. The ability to utilize variety in sentence construction is a key. Emphasis is also given to the steps required for successful development of a five-paragraph essay. The final lesson requires the construction and delivery of a speech using the tools of clear thinking, solid foundation and presentation.

OBJECTIVES

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• Identify and correctly use the eight parts of speech, the basic forms of punctuation, and rules of capitalization.
• Identify vocabulary through etymology, spelling and meaning, and analogies.
• Write effective sentences and combine these to create paragraphs.
• Apply the writing process to the five-paragraph essay format.
• Prepare and deliver a speech to fit an audience and occasion

Course Outline, First Semester

1. THE PARTS OF SPEECH, PUNCTUATION, AND CAPITALIZATION
   
   
   1. Parts of Speech
      • Nouns
      • Pronouns
      • Verbs
      • Adjectives
      • Adverbs
      • Prepositions
      • Conjunctions
      • Interjections
   2. Punctuation
      • End Punctuation
      • Inside Punctuation
      • Quotation Marks
   3. Capitalization
      
      
2. VOCABULARY
   
   
   1. Etymology
   2. Using the Dictionary
   3. Vocabulary Building
      • Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes
      • Interrelated Words
      • Confusing Words
      • Analogies
        
        
3. WRITING SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS
   
   
   1. Sentences
      • Subject and Predicate
      • Verb Agreement
      • Kinds of Sentences
      • Sentence Structure
      • Tone, Mood, and Feeling
   2. Paragraphs
      • Topic Sentences
      • Types of Paragraphs

Course Outline Second Semester

4. WRITING A FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY
   
   
   1. The Writing Process
      • Prewriting
      • Thesis Statement
      • Supporting the Thesis
      • Essay Organization
      • Outlining
      • Drafting
        
        
5. ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS
   
   
   1. Revising
   2. Autobiographical Essay
      
      
6. MAKING A SPEECH
   
   
   1. Methods of Delivery
   2. Audience
   3. Purpose
   4. Introductions and Conclusions
   5. Supporting the Thesis
      • Comparisons
      • Organizational Patterns
   6. Speech Structure
   7. Delivering the Speech
      • Nonverbal Communication
      • Speech Anxiety