Examples of Objective Grammar Test

For Grammar Links:
Blue Book of Grammar

Daily Grammar

For Further Readings:
New York Times

Letters to the Editor List

CURRENT ISSUES

English 094
 

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Critical Inquiry Journal Articles

Essay Organization

ACT Essay Prompt

Goal of the Course:
This course is designed to give the students the writing skills, as well as knowledge of grammar and essay form required so to be able to pass the CUNY/ACT Writing test. The Critical Inquiry method will be used throughout to enable the student to read comprehensively and analytically and to write thoughtful well-organized, grammatically-correct essays.

Text & Materials:

  • Coy, Penelope, et al. Basic Grammar and Usage. 5th ed.. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publisher, 1998.
  • A collegiate dictionary
  • Various editorials from The New York Times -- obtained online through this web page.
  • A black & white composition book (Reading Journal and grammar exercise log)
To be eligible to take the ACT Writing test you must:
  1. Attend all fifteen classes.
  2. Attend at least twelve [12] tutoring sessions (it doesn't hurt to attend more).
  3. Complete two typed weekend essays ("Letters to the Editor" style --300-400 words).
  4. Complete all the Reading Journal writing entries (6 in all).
  5. Complete daily grammar exercises -- assigned by group leaders.
  6. Participate in online Discussion Groups via BB5 - basaed on issues raised in the readings.
  7. Read three additional New York Times editorials per week.
  
Writing and Reading Work:
  1. Quizzes—Throughout this short semester you will be given brief quizzes to check your own progress in gaining the appropriate grammar and sentence writing skills.
  2. Practice exam writing—You will be given three practice ACT writing tests. You must return these essays with double entry corrections, as instructed.
  3. Critical Inquiry of Letters to the Editor and related articles—We will read several "Letters to the Editor" [obtainable from this site] and apply the C.I. questioning method to journal writing and in-class discussions.
  4. Week-end Assignments—Write two 300-400 word letter to the editor type essay based on one of the articles read during the week and an issue-based question that came out of the journal writing.
  5. Share sample sentences from any the article or student essays to be analyzed grammatically in class.
  6. Read aloud articles in class and at home. In fact, you should read aloud whenever and wherever you can.
  General Class Schedule:
  • 1 hour – Grammar 
  • 1 hour - Reading articles, learning to comprehend and analyze the articles, and preparing to write - Critical Inquiry Method Training
  • 1 hour – Argumentative Essay form
  • 2 hours tutoring sessions.
Prep Writing Exam & Essay Writing Schedule – 
  • June 4th – Obtain a writing sample. 
  • June 7th – Take 1st Prep ACT Writing Exam.
  • June 11th – Hand-in 1st 300-400 word "Letter to the Editor" essay..
  • June 14th - Take 2nd Prep ACT Writing Exam.
  • June 18th – Hand-in 2nd 300-400 word essay based on journal essays.
  • Jan 19th - Take 3rd Prep ACT Writing Exam.
  • Jun. 21st – Review for ACT Writing test.
  • Jun. 22nd- ACT Writing Test - (1 hour)
Reading & Testing Schedule--C.I. journals for the following articles are to completed by the date indicated (click to go to titles and/or reading choices):
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
June 4
Class Orientation		 June 5
Class meets in SEEK Computer Lab
 #1 Teaching Youth 'Abstinence Only'		 June 6
#2 Witnesses to an Execution Att. Gen. Ashcroft announced that McVeigh's execution would be televised via a closed-circuit telecast.		 June 7
Class chooses Critical Inquiry Reading #3
Practice Exam #1		 June 8 
Group Leaders check Student Journals
June 11
Hand in 1st weekend essay		 June 12
Critical Inquiry Reading #4		 June 13
Critical Inquiry Reading #5		 June 14
Practice Exam #2
Critical Inquiry Reading #6		 June 15
Group Leaders check Student Journals
June 18
Hand in 2nd weekend essay		 June 19
Practice Exam #3		 June 20 June 21
Review Session

June 22
CUNY/ACT Writing Exam
Hand in Text Books

C.I. and Argumentative Topics to be discussed and mastered:

  • Finding Key Words and Ideas in the readings (and essay prompts for ACT test)
  • Asking relevant Questions.
  • Writing a Summaries..
  • Brainstorming techniques.
  • Writing a Preliminary Thesis Statement and Final Thesis Statements
  • Determining Reasons to support an argument.
  • Writing an introduction and conclusion for a 500 world essay.

Please sign the following statement before beginning the class:
I will commit myself for the next two weeks to mastering the necessary skills needed to pass the ACT Writing Exam and to becoming a better writer. I realize that I will have to work everyday and concentrate if I am to reach my goal. Furthermore, I promise to read aloud three times a week for the next three weeks from the New York Times or a newspaper of my choice or a book that I enjoy.

Signature _____________________________________________________________