Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

This course has been changed from the previous catalog, the changed field(s) are highlighted in red:

 Course Title:   Basic Composition

 Title Abbreviation:   BASIC COMPOSITION

 Department:    ENGL

 Course #:    99

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    330103

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2024


 Course Description  

The study of fundamentals of grammar, syntax, and composition leading to the construction of effective sentences, paragraphs, and essays.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 97, or AESL 98, or appropriate test score and concurrent enrollment or completion of CSS 103.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic N/A  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
N/A

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Construct and control simple and complex sentences in their writing assignments.
  2. Write paragraphs containing topic sentences, examples of the topic, and explanations in the form or analysis and/or critical reflection.
  3. Identify and describe the elements of an essay, including the main idea, support, rhetorical purpose, and audience.
  4. Select and apply an organizational pattern for a piece of writing that considers the writing context, the genre, and the needs of the audience.
  5. Respond to revision-oriented feedback from instructors and peers in order to improve organization and flow of ideas.
  6. Develop reading comprehension, information gathering, note taking, and reading apprenticeship skills through written assignments.
  7. Edit sentences to communicate ideas clearly, minimizing spelling and syntax errors.
  8. Understand and use the basic functions of word processing programs to format and compose written documents.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

Course Contents

  1. Writing process: selection and focus of topics, formulation of workable thesis, organization of paragraphs and essays, introductions of paragraphs, introductions/transitions/conclusions of essays, revision, editing.
  2. Grammar: basic sentence structure, correction of sentence fragments, run-ons, and fused sentences, agreement, punctuation, use of phrases and clauses, parallelism, capitalization, proofreading, idiomatic expression.