improve comprehension, expand vocabularies and begin developing repertoires of reading strategies adapted to different texts and purposes. They need to improve performance in analysis and interpretation- synthesizing and evaluating what they read.

Course protocols

Exit competencies

Sample syllabi

Recommended texts

English 097

English 097, Basic Writing Skills, provides practice in developing fluency, organizing ideas, and writing paragraphs and short essays, as well as editing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The course is designed for students who score two levels below English 101 on the placement test. Students in English 097 are coached through the writing process leading to the construction of paragraphs and essays. At the end of this course, the passing student should be able to produce a 300-word, structured essay, with relatively well-developed paragraphs and mechanical errors that are not so frequent that they inhibit understanding of the piece.

Course protocols

Exit competencies

Sample syllabi

Recommended texts

Sample passing essays

Linked English 089/097

In the College Achievement Partnership (C.A.P.) program, English 089 and English 097 are put together in what is called a "link." When reading and writing courses are linked, the same instructor teaches both courses to the same group of students. This pairing allows the instructor flexibility in preparing lessons, since, on a given class day, more time can be dedicated to the instruction that is most needed at that time.

In the C.A.P. program these courses are referred to as A-level. When students pass A-level courses, they then take B-level courses. In some cases, depending on placement test scores, English 097 may be assigned independent of English 089; English 089, however, is always linked to English 097.

English 098

English 098, Fundamentals of Writing, provides instruction and intensive practice in the development of academic reading and writing skills. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of literary and non-fiction materials, practice in the writing process leading to the five-paragraph essay, and advanced grammar.

Course protocols

Exit competencies

Sample syllabi

Recommended texts

Sample passing essays

English 099

English 099, Reading Improvement, provides instruction and practice in developing strategies for college reading in fiction and non-fiction; text-based writing practice is included.

Course protocols

Exit competencies

Sample syllabi

Recommended texts

Sample passing essays

Linked English 098/099

In the C.A.P. program, English 098 and English 099 are linked. In some cases, depending on placement test scores, English 098 may be assigned independent of English 099; English 099, however, is always linked to English 098.

English 108

English 108, Learning across the Disciplines, introduces students to the language, style, and logic of college-level courses, providing instruction in adapting to the demands of diverse academic disciplines.

Course protocols

Exit competencies

Sample syllabi

Recommended texts

Linked English 098/108

In the Act Now program, English 098 is linked to English 108: Learning across the Disciplines.

Linked English 101/108

When students pass B-level courses, they are then ready for college level English composition, which is English 101. In the C.A.P. program, English 101 is linked to English 108 and referred to as C-level.

Exit Criteria

ENGLISH 097

To pass English 097, students’ writing will demonstrate the ability to do the following: 

· respond appropriately to directions and assignments; 

· use pre-writing strategies, such as brainstorming lists, outlines, or other plans; 

· write paragraphs that are well developed and unified, presenting a main idea supported by relevant details; 

· write an essay of at least 250 words with a clear thesis developed to a reasonable conclusion in response to an appropriate text; 

· write at least two passing papers in class independent of outside help;

· use correctly constructed sentences that show no consistent pattern of run-on sentences, fragments; or verb errors. 

ENGLISH 098

To pass English 098, students’ writing will demonstrate the ability to do all of the preceding as well as the following: 

· show a clear sense of the form and function of a paragraph and of the interrelationships among paragraphs; 

· reveal clear and logical development of ideas; 

· demonstrate a clear sense of audience and task; 

· maintain control of standard English usage, showing no consistent pattern of errors in sentence boundaries, use of verbs, pronoun reference, and punctuation.

ENGLISH 089, 099, and 100

Development of reading skills is incremental rather than segmented, involving repetition of related processes at increasing levels of sophistication. The chart below, excerpted from the Reading Handbook for English Faculty, provides exit criteria for the three levels of Developmental Reading.

Passing each course, students should be able to:

ENGLISH 089

· state main idea and relationship of details;

· paraphrase short news articles, outline paragraphs or short essays;

· in fiction, understand plot, state theme, describe characters;

· use easy reference materials in library.

ENGLISH 099

· do all in 089;

· summarize essays;

· compare and contrast ideas and viewpoints, synthesize sources;

· understand tone, irony, and satire.

ENGLISH 100

· do all in 099;

· answer critical questions;

· analyze different forms of arguments;

· recognize assumptions and purpose of writer.