SRJC Course Outlines

6/9/2026 7:21:45 AM	CSKLS 312 Course Outline as of Fall 2012	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  CSKLS 312	Title:  GRAMMAR & WRITING SKILLS
Full Title:  Grammar and Writing Skills
Last Reviewed:11/9/2020

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.50	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.50	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	2.00			Contact DHR	35.00
		Contact Total	5.00			Contact Total	87.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 192.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Non-Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  CSKL 306

Catalog Description:

Instruction in basic grammar and mechanics of writing to develop skills necessary for success in precollegiate and collegiate level courses and in the workplace.  This course is especially appropriate for students who need to improve their skills at the sentence and paragraph level.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Instruction in basic grammar and mechanics of writing to develop skills necessary for success in te next level of the English Pathway, precollegiate and collegiate level courses and in the workplace.  This course is especially appropriate for students who need to improve their skills at the sentence and paragraph level.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Write correctly punctuated simple, compound, and complex sentences.

2. Identify sentence fragments and run-ons, and change them into correct sentences.

3. Identify parts of the sentence, including subjects, verbs, and objects.

4. Apply basic punctuation spelling, and capitalization rules to their own writing.

5. Write paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details.

6. Identify the audience and purpose when writing a composition or letter.

7. Use Microsoft Word for written compositions.

8. Proofread and use word-processing tools to find and correct writing errors.

9. Use basic MLA paper format and business letter format.

Topics and Scope

WRITING MECHANICS

Instruction in writing skills will be integrated with instruction in composition.

1. Basic sentence structure

    a. Basic parts of speech, including nouns, pronouns, verbs, and prepositions

    b. Parts of the sentence: subject, predicate, object

    c. Types of sentences: statement, question, command

    d. Simple sentence versus fragments

2. Basic capitalization

    a. Names, family members, titles (Dr., Professor, etc.)

    b. Geographic locations

    c. Groups and organizations

    d. Addresses

3.  Verbs

    a. Linking verbs and auxiliary verbs

    b. Common errors in verb usage

4. Correcting run-on sentences using coordination and subordination

    a.  Identifying run-ons

     b. Coordinating conjunctions

    c. Transition words

    d. Subordinating conjunctions

    e. Use of commas and semicolons

5. Other basic punctuation rules

    a. End punctuation

    b. Commas (including series, introductions, interrupting material)

    c. Apostrophes in contractions and possessives

    d. Direct quotations

6. Basic spelling review

    a. Sound-alikes (homophones)

    b. Basic rules (ie/ei, final e, final y, doubling consonants, etc.)

    c. Common roots, prefixes, and suffixes

    d. Effectively using spell-check

COMPOSITION

1. Prewriting strategies, including free-writing, clustering, and brainstorming

2. Narrative composition writing

    a. Introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs

    b. Topic sentences and supporting details

    c. Logical order

    d. Use of specific details

3. Basic written communication (workplace and personal)

    a. Roles of email, personal note (thank you, sympathy),  business letter

    b. Standard business letter format, organization, level of formality

4. Proofreading, editing, and revising techniques

5. Basic word-processing and MLA format

Assignments:

1. Weekly homework assignments, including textbook work and exercises in

punctuation, grammar, spelling, and sentence structure

2. 2-4 narrative compositions (at least 2 drafts each)

3. 1 business letter, preferably written for and mailed to actual audience

4. Peer response group participation

5. Optional: personal letter assignment; responses to assigned readings

6. 6-8 quizzes; optional midterm

7. Final exam with writing component

8. Approximately 2 hours/week of writing skills exercises and word-processing

in computer lab

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 40 - 55%
Writing skills exercises (print and computer), compositions
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 35 - 55%
Quizzes, midterm, final exam: multiple choice, short answer, proofreading, essay
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Participation, response groups, computer lab work

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Sentence Skills, Form B. John Langan. 8th edition, McGraw Hill, 2009

Foundations First: Sentences and Paragraphs with Readings. Laurie Kirszner and

Stephen Mandell. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2011

Instructor prepared materials

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