Overview
ENGL 255 focuses on essay writing at the university level. In order to improve the necessary skills, students study examples of good writing, do a brief introductory assignment, write a short summary, develop an annotated bibliography, and complete three essays covering different styles and purposes. The course is designed to recognize students’ personal interests, objectives, and learning styles.
ENGL 255 provides some grammar review but assumes at least a senior high school level of competency in both grammar and composition.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to
- summarize, quote, and paraphrase
- use effective research methods and proper citation techniques
- adapt to various writing requirements that call for a variety of rhetorical modes
- think and write critically
- write effective essays that meet first-year university expectations for content, organization, style, mechanics, and grammar
Evaluation
To receive credit for ENGL 255, you must receive a grade of D (50 percent) or higher on the examination and an overall average of D (50 percent) or higher to pass the course. Assignments not submitted by the course contract completion date (end of active registration) receive a grade of 0. The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Writing Paragraphs | 5% |
| Writing a Summary | 10% |
| Writing an Expository Process Essay | 15% |
| Writing an Annotated Bibliography | 10% |
| Writing a Research-Based Expository Essay | 20% |
| Writing a Research-Based Argumentative Essay | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Dubbelboer, Adien, and Pam Chamberlain. Writing in University: Read, Think, Write. OER, AU Press, 2023
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ENGL 255 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on both the rhetorical analysis essay and the examination.
| Activity | Weight |
| Rhetorical Analysis Essay | 50% |
| Exam | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form