Students will learn step-by-step stages in the writing process, beginning with an overview of understanding the writing process from start to finish. Then in subsequent weeks, students will receive in-depth instruction on technical aspects of writing. We will also review the Six Traits of Writing.

During week two through seven, students will tackle the unit on "Crafting Quality Sentences and Paragraphs." Four weekly lessons focus on writing basic sentences, avoiding awkward sentences, creating sentence variety, and using sentences to shape quality paragraphs. Students will also learn how to use effective transitions to turn paragraphs into essays. We will discuss the different types of essays that students can write. Students will select an essay type for their final project.

During weeks eight and nine, students will learn about developing a writing style and effectively turning passive writing into action-packed writing that grabs readers' attention. During weeks 10 through 12, students explore the nuts and bolts of ensuring that subjects and verbs agree as well as pronouns and nouns.  Then in weeks 13 through 16, they will review the basic writing conventions involved in the use of punctuation from commas to ellipses.  

In the final two weeks of the course, I will present an entertaining spin on the common errors and pitfalls found in the writing process, from confusing words to cliches and overused words to avoid like the plague. (Um, please excuse my cliche.) 

During the last week of class, students will review the writer's checklist for good writing and editing and revision process.

Students will write an essay as their final project for the class in which they will demonstrate their mastery of the 6 Traits of Writing. Students will also take a test to show their mastery of writing conventions that we learned during the course.