Senior Thesis/Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking Syllabus
Mrs. Williams
http://teacherweb.com/TN/EastLiteratureMagnet/MrsWilliams/
Course description
This course emphasizes a study of rhetoric and various modes of writing
(e.g., expository, argumentative, and analytical) and thinking skills that
are highly correlated with those measured on various academic and aptitude
tests.
Senior Thesis is a course at East Literature Magnet High School designed to
give students post high-school preparation. This training is intended to
help students succeed in college writing, workplace presentations, resume
design, interview skills, etc.
Students in Senior Thesis should expect and be prepared to do the following
this year:
• Read independently
• Identify areas of career interest
• Select topics to study independently
• Research thoroughly a specific area of the topic chosen
• Participate in class discussions
• Think and write critically about literature, scientific research, and
history
• Practice taking college preparatory tests
• Write personal essays
Proposed schedule for the first nine weeks:
Week 1 (August 17-21)
1. Introductions to the class
2. ACT diagnostic exercise
Week 2 (August 24-28)
1. Practice ACT Reading and Science
2. College planning/prep on computers in library
Week 3 (August 31-September 4)
1. Practice ACT Math
2. Writing process
3. Personal essay
Week 4 (September 8-11)
1. Practice ACT English
2. Effective presentations
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Week 5 (September 14-18)
1. Career planning
2. Resume
Week 6 (September 21-25)
1. Research paper planning and brainstorming
2. Practice ACT Math
Week 7 (September 28-October 2)
1. Practice ACT Science
2. Library time/citations
Week 8 (October 5-9)
1. Library time/research
2. Practice ACT Reading and English
Week 9 (October 12-15)
1. Outlining
2. Bibliographies
3. Personal essay