Writing Center (WCTR)

This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.jccc.edu/.

Courses

WCTR 103   Practical Writing Skills (1 Hour)

This Writing Center course is designed to enable writers to review parts of speech, learn the elements of a sentence, and learn basic sentence patterns. Emphasis is on simple sentence composing and combining, using complex and compound sentences. Students are encouraged practice writing to develop fluency of text.

WCTR 107   Sentence Pattern Skills (1 Hour)

This Writing Center course is designed to enable writers to identify parts of speech, elements of a sentence, and basic sentence patterns. Emphasis is on simple sentence composing and combining. Students are encouraged practice writing to develop fluency of text.

WCTR 108   Composing Skills (1 Hour)

This course is designed to teach students how to write at the paragraph level. Students will learn how to choose a topic, narrow the topic, and to organize and develop the topic using supporting evidence. Emphasis will be given to revision and editing strategies emphasizing fluency of text.

WCTR 109   Proofreading Skills (1 Hour)

This course is designed to provide students with strategies and rules that will help them recognize and repair common grammar,usage, and mechanical errors in their writing.

WCTR 110   English Grammar Review (1 Hour)

This course reviews parts of speech, sentence elements, sentence patterns, and common sentence level errors. This course facilitates the development of writing fluency.

WCTR 112   Research Skills (1 Hour)

This research skills course covers selectively gathering resource materials, synthesizing the information, and developing an academic essay in an agreed citation format.

WCTR 115   Revision Skills (1 Hour)

This revision skills class exposes the practicing writer to strategies and resources used to revise all writing, including business, academic, and personal writing. Revision Skills compliments courses in which writing is assigned and encourages students to use current writing activities or assignments to facilitate deeper understanding of revision practices.

WCTR 120   Writing in the Disciplines (1 Hour)

This course is designed to complement and/or support students enrolled in classes in which writing is intrinsic to the curriculum. Students will be exposed to different format styles and genres and encouraged to use revision strategies to increase writing ability.

WCTR 103

  • Title: Practical Writing Skills
  • Number: WCTR 103
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This Writing Center course is designed to enable writers to review parts of speech, learn the elements of a sentence, and learn basic sentence patterns. Emphasis is on simple sentence composing and combining, using complex and compound sentences. Students are encouraged practice writing to develop fluency of text.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Identify and write the basic sentence types.
  2. Expand sentences through subordination, coordination, and modification.
  3. Simplify sentences.
  4. Organize and develop short pieces of writing.
  5. Demonstrate comprehension of written language.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.  Basic Components of an English Sentence

A. Recognize subjects and verbs in a piece of writing.

B. Write different basic sentence patterns.

II. Types of Phrases Used in Sentences

A. Recognize nouns and types of noun phrases.

1.  Use count/non-count nouns in sentences.

2.  Use count/non-count nouns using appropriate articles.

3.  Use appropriate singular/plural forms of nouns.

B. Recognize verbs and verbal phrases.

1.  Use verbs forms that signify tense.

2.  Use verb forms that signify number.

C. Recognize prepositions and prepositional phrases.

1.   Use prepositions.

2.   Use prepositional phrases.

3.   Use various idiomatic prepositional phrases.

 D. Recognize adjectives and adjectival phrases.

1. Use adjectives.

2. Use adjectival phrases.

3. Use sentences using adjectival phrases.

 E. Recognize appropriate adverbs and adverbial phrases.

1. Use adverbs.

2. Use adverbial phrases.

3. Use sentences using adverbial phrases.

III. Types of Sentences

A.  Use simple sentences.

B.  Use compound sentences.

C.  Use complex sentences.

D.  Use compound-complex sentences.

IV. Paragraph Writing

A.  Use a narrative paragraph.

B.  Use a descriptive paragraph.

C.  Use a response paragraph.

D.  Use an evaluative paragraph.

V. Comprehension of Written Language

A. Summarize the main ideas in selected pieces of prose.

B. Paraphrase short passages in selected pieces of prose.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30%  Participation
40-50%  Homework
20-30%  Quizzes and Tests
Total: 100%

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 107

  • Title: Sentence Pattern Skills
  • Number: WCTR 107
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This Writing Center course is designed to enable writers to identify parts of speech, elements of a sentence, and basic sentence patterns. Emphasis is on simple sentence composing and combining. Students are encouraged practice writing to develop fluency of text.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Recognize and define terminology of parts of speech.
  2. Expand or simplify sentences using complex-compound sentence structures.
  3. Punctuate sentences appropriately. 

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Parts of Speech

A. Recognize the parts of speech in sentences.

B. Define parts of speech in sentences.

C. Recognize phrases as parts of speech.

D. Define how each phrase functions in sentence.

II.  Sentence Patterns

A. Recognize independent and dependent clauses.

B. Write sentences using coordination, subordination, and modification

III.  Error Free Sentences

A. Recognize and revise fragments in models.

B. Recognize and revise fragments in personal writing.

C. Recognize and revise run-ons in models.

D. Recognize and revise run-ons in personal writing.

E.  Recognize and revise comma splices in models.

F. Recognize and revise comma splices in personal writing

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation
40-50% Homework
20-30% Quizzes and Tests
Total: 100%

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 108

  • Title: Composing Skills
  • Number: WCTR 108
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This course is designed to teach students how to write at the paragraph level. Students will learn how to choose a topic, narrow the topic, and to organize and develop the topic using supporting evidence. Emphasis will be given to revision and editing strategies emphasizing fluency of text.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Employ several prewriting techniques.
  2. Write topic sentences.
  3. Develop short paragraphs.  
  4. Use transitional words and sentences.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.  Pre-writing Skills

A. Recognize planning as a strategy for writing.

B.  Employ a variety of prewriting strategies.

II.  Sentence Development

A. Develop prewriting  topic into sentences.

B. Elaborate topic sentences ideas.

C.  Organize sentences into short paragraphs.

III.  Detail Development

A. Recognize description, narration, evaluation, and classification as elements  of support.

B. Modify paragraphs using combination of those elements.

IV. Cohesion 

A. Recognize transitional words and phrases in models.

B. Produce logical connections using transitional words and phrases.

1. Write transitional phrases at the sentence level.

2. Write transitional sentences at the paragraph level.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation
40-50% Homework
20-30%  Quizzes and tests
Total: 100%

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 109

  • Title: Proofreading Skills
  • Number: WCTR 109
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This course is designed to provide students with strategies and rules that will help them recognize and repair common grammar,usage, and mechanical errors in their writing.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Recognize major and minor errors in writing.

  2. Revise errors.

  3. Employ alternative revision solutions.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.   Major and Minor Errors

A. Recognize fragments.

B. Recognize run-ons.

C. Recognize comma splices.

D. Recognize subject-verb agreement errors.

E. Recognize pronoun-case and antecedent agreement errors.

F. Recognize verb form errors. 

G. Recognize misplaced and dangling modifiers errors.

II.   Major and Minor Errors Revision

A. Identify proofreading and marking techniques. 

B. Apply proofreading techniques to model text.

C. Employ proofreading techniques to personal writing. 

III.   Alternative Revision Solutions

A. Use editing software.

B. Interpret the validity of machine generated suggestions.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation

40-50% Homework

20-30% Quizzes and Tests

Total: 100% 

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 110

  • Title: English Grammar Review
  • Number: WCTR 110
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This course reviews parts of speech, sentence elements, sentence patterns, and common sentence level errors. This course facilitates the development of writing fluency.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Identify names of parts of speech.
  2. Label elements of a sentence.
  3. Write prose using a variety of sentence patterns.
  4. Edit  punctuation, agreement, and word order errors.

Content Outline and Competencies:

 I. Parts of Speech

A. Review parts of speech names.  

B. Identify parts of speech.

C. Construct sentences using all eight speech parts.

II.  Basic Sentence Patterns

A.  Review basic patterns.

B. Identify elements of basic sentence patterns in prose.

C. Write a variety of basic sentence patterns.

III. Common Sentence Level Errors

A. Identify verb agreement errors

1. Review verb agreement.

2. Repair subject verb agreement.

3. Practice writing correct verb agreement.

B. Identify pronoun agreement errors.

1. Review pronouns.

2. Repair pronoun agreement errors.

3. Practice correct pronoun antecedent agreement.

IV. Identify Punctuation Errors

A. Review complete sentences.

1. Recognize comma splices.

2. Recognize run-ons.

3. Recognize appropriate use of colons and semicolons.

B. Edit mispunctuated text.

C. Produce error free prose.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation

40-50% Homework

20-30% Quizzes and Tests

Total: 100%

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 112

  • Title: Research Skills
  • Number: WCTR 112
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This research skills course covers selectively gathering resource materials, synthesizing the information, and developing an academic essay in an agreed citation format.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

  1. Select and narrow a research topic.
  2. Demonstrate an ability to gather sources from various locations. 
  3. Discern credible from non-credible sources.
  4. Use MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and  CMS (Chicago Manual of Style).

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.  Pre-writing Techniques  

A. Explore various prewriting strategies.

B.  Identify emergent subtopics.

C.  Select focused topic.

D.  Write working thesis.

II.  Accessible Resources

A. Understand various venues for research materials.

B.  Understand types of sources.

1. Identify primary sources.

2. Identify secondary sources.

III.  Credible versus Non-Credible Sources

A. Identify gate-keeping mechanisms.

1. Explain authority.

2. Explain accuracy.

3. Explain objectivity.

B.  Annotation and Format Styles

1. Review MLA.

2. Review APA.

3. Review CMS.

C.  Create  a Working Annotated Bibliography

1. Practice summarizing.

2. Practice paraphrasing.

3. Practice direct quoting.

D.  Synthesize selected annotated material.

E.  Revise into working draft.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20- 30%  Participation

40-50% Homework

20-30% Quizzes and Tests

Total: 100% 

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 115

  • Title: Revision Skills
  • Number: WCTR 115
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This revision skills class exposes the practicing writer to strategies and resources used to revise all writing, including business, academic, and personal writing. Revision Skills compliments courses in which writing is assigned and encourages students to use current writing activities or assignments to facilitate deeper understanding of revision practices.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Employ a variety of organizational structures to improve paragraphs.
  2. Employ sentence structures using logic and coherence.
  3. Produce text with a clear, effective opinion.
  4. Identify and eliminate surface level errors.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I.   Paragraph Structures 

A. Write paragraphs using chronological-narration.

B. Write paragraphs using process-description.

C. Write paragraphs using classification.

D. Write paragraphs using problem-solution.

E. Write paragraphs using assertion-support

F. Write paragraphs using cause and effect.

II. Sentence Style Varieties for Emphasis 

A. Name and explain sentence varieties.

B. Revise sentences for variety.

III. Revision Strategies for Meaning and Coherence

A. Add or rearrange ideas and evidence which support the thesis.

B. Edit ideas and evidence that lack logic and consistency.

IV.  Evaluation of Surface Level Errors

A.  Edit for active verbs.

B.  Edit for wordiness.

C.  Edit for cliches and jargon.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation

40-50% Homework

20-30% Quizzes and Tests

Total: 100% 

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).

WCTR 120

  • Title: Writing in the Disciplines
  • Number: WCTR 120
  • Effective Term: 2020-21
  • Credit Hours: 1
  • Contact Hours: 1
  • Lecture Hours: 1

Description:

This course is designed to complement and/or support students enrolled in classes in which writing is intrinsic to the curriculum. Students will be exposed to different format styles and genres and encouraged to use revision strategies to increase writing ability.

Textbooks:

http://bookstore.jccc.edu/

Supplies:

Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Connect writing skills learned in composition courses to other academic disciplines.
  2. Identify the rhetorical context of audience, purpose, focus.
  3. Use terminology to identify the three main citation formats.
  4. Cite from a variety of resources appropriate to the rhetorical context.
  5. Revise models and personal prose to current academic standards.  

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Writing Process

A. Review and employ prewriting strategies.

B. Choose mode.

C. Draft and essay in chosen discipline.

II.  Rhetorical Context

A. Identify audience.

B. Identify purpose.

C. Identify focus.

D. Write working thesis.

III.  Citation Formats

A. Define MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and CMS (Chicago Manual of Style)  format styles. 

B. Define formatting definitions. 

C. Discern differences in format styles.

IV.  Research and Resources

A. Demonstrate an ability to use various databases.

B. Demonstrate an ability to use citation machines.

C. Identify affordances and constraints of citation machines.

V. Revision Writing

A. Synthesize citeable information into working paper.

B. Revise paper for development.

C. Edit paper for grammatical and mechanical errors.

Method of Evaluation and Competencies:

20-30% Participation

40-50% Homework

20-30% Quizzes and tests

Total: 100%

Grade Criteria:

90 – 100% = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
0 – 59% = F

Caveats:

Student Responsibilities:

Disabilities:

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you are a student with a disability and if you are in need of accommodations or services, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services and make a formal request. To schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor or for additional information, you may send an email or call Access Services at (913)469-3521. Access Services is located on the 2nd floor of the Student Center (SC 202).