UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE HONDURAS

English Composition
I Quarter, 2025 Gloria Ulloa, Ph.D.
Email address: [email protected]

Course Description

English Composition is a core course designed to develop students' competencies

in writing in English. This course aims to enhance students' ability to analyze and
comprehend various texts, from short passages to longer works, while introducing
essential skills for composing academic and business-related writings. The course
emphasizes an interactive approach to writing, focusing on the process of
composition rather than the final product. By fostering an awareness of genre,
audience, and purpose, students will develop a deeper understanding of the
writing process and the role of academic writing in their educational life. The
course also promotes the ethical use of sources, including AI, and highlights the
importance of peer feedback and collaborative learning in second-language
acquisition.

Assignments

Since the class is based on writing academic papers, essays are 70% of the grade.
Essays will be graded on criteria established for each assignment. Students are
also required to read a book that will be used to write the two last assignments of
the class (Chronicle of a Dead Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marques (Microsoft
Word - Chronicle of a Death Foretold-GABRIEL GARCIA MARQUEZ.doc
(sfponline.org)).
Reading entries are 10 %: reading entries will have to be kept typed to share with
the class when requested.
A portfolio will also be part of the final grade in the course. It will be 15% of the
class grade and evidence of a process that took place as students learned to write
their essays.

Course Goals

 Reinforce the rhetorical knowledge acquired in the language classes.

 To raise awareness about the writing process
 To use and understand ethos, audience, subject matter, process, and context
to achieve rhetorical goals.
 Do critical reading through the application of analytical techniques.
 Become familiar with good and inquisitive library and field research.
 explain and use methods for argumentation and analysis important for
academic contexts.
 Raise awareness about genre, audience, writing process, objectives, and
role of academic writing.
  Understand and use Academic English (Standard English) as well as the
appropriate forms of documentation.

I. Mandatory Reading

In this class, students will read the book Chronicle of a Dead Foretold by Gabriel
Garcia Marques (Microsoft Word - Chronicle of a Death Foretold-GABRIEL GARCIA
MARQUEZ.doc (sfponline.org) over nine weeks during the academic term. The
book will be used to write the last assignment of the quarter.
As they read the novel, they will write at least one reading entry per week until
they complete reading the book. Entries are short summaries where students
describe what they read. The journal entries will be used as references for a
research paper they will write during weeks 10 -12. It is mandatory to have the
book downloaded during the first week of classes.

II. Writing Assignments 60%

Papers will be submitted every Monday unless decided otherwise.

 The narrative paper (10 %): For this paper, students need to think about an
important event in the last ten years that taught them a life lesson. The
event needs to be either a happy or a sad moment. Students must ensure
their descriptions are complete so that they can guide the reader through
the paper, making it feel as though they are experiencing the events as the
narrative unfolds.
Draft One: Week 2
Draft Two: Week 3

 The Descriptive Paper (10%): Write a descriptive essay analyzing a

significant location related to your field of study. Discuss its historical,
cultural, or academic relevance, detailing its characteristics, impact, and
significance within your discipline. Use precise language and evidence to
illustrate its importance and your personal reflections.
Draft One: Week 4
Draft Two: Week 5

 The argumentative paper (10%). Young people are using social media for
different reasons, including staying connected with friends and family,
seeking entertainment, sharing their thoughts and experiences, and
following trends or influencers. Social media also provides a platform for
self-expression, learning new things, and engaging in social and political
causes. Additionally, it offers a space for young people to build communities,
find like-minded individuals, and explore personal interests. Since social
media is used for different purposes and demands time to stay connected,
 should young people set time limits for themselves? Students will be
introduced to APA.
Draft One: Week 6
Draft Two: Week 7

 Using the business letter format (20%): Students find a particular issue at
the university that is affecting the students' community. Looking at the
different sides of the issue, students write letters to propose solutions and to
solve the problem.
Draft One: Week 8
Draft Two: Week 9

 The research paper (20%). For this paper, students will collaboratively
analyze Chronicle of a Death Foretold while applying the academic writing
skills they have learned. As they write, they will be allowed to use platforms
such as Google Docs for collaboration, and citation tools like Grammarly for
grammar checks. Emphasis will be placed on organizing ideas, forming a
thesis, using appropriate academic language, using APA to cite and
maintaining clear argumentation throughout the paper.
Draft one: Week 10
Draft Two: Week 11

III. Reading entries on Chronicles of a Death Foretold

10%

Students will read a book during the quarter. As they read the book, they will also
write a summary of the pages read. Those summaries will at the end help them
write their book report. Summaries will also be used in class to orally report on the
progress of their reading.

The Reading/writing portfolio: 20%

This is a work in progress that will be put together throughout the III PAC.
Therefore, students need to bring a binder with the printable material on the first
day of classes. The portfolio will show the progress students have made in the class
and the way they have grown as readers and writers. The portfolio will be divided
into the following sections:
1. A cover: A simple cover will be prepared for the portfolio. Please make
sure it is an academic portfolio where flowers or other colorful characters
are not present. Follow covers as given by APA.
2. An Index where the portfolio holder provides the reader with the different
sections the portfolio is divided into.
3. An introduction: In 250 words students tell the reader what your portfolio is
about and the content.
4. Section One: Contains papers, drafts, and final versions.
5. Section Two: Contains every reading activity done in class.
6. Section Three: My reflection. In no more than one page, students will
reflect on the learning that took place in the course, what they have learned,
and how this learning will help them as students and as future teachers.
Due date: Last day of classes

Grammar Workshops

These ten-minute grammar workshops will focus on addressing recurring

grammar issues found in student’s papers. By targeting specific areas of
concern, students can immediately apply the corrections and improve the overall
quality of their writing.

To keep in mind

1. Class will start at the time sharp

2. Every excuse must follow the university regulations.
3. Be punctual. Attendance will follow the university policies.
4. Be respectful of others and your teacher.
5. Participation is mandatory in the class.
6. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Chat GPT or any AI will be used only
when instructed
7. Papers will be written in class time and then typed and completed at
home.
8. Papers need to be handed in on Monday of each week
9. Keep cell phones off and away from your desks.