Composition

Welcome to Composition!

         Throughout this year, we will learn a multitude of writing skills to help us be the best writers we can be. This will help you, not only in school, but in your college education and work place. Being an effective writer entails being able to express your thoughts and opinions in a clear, logical order. It is amazing the power a pen can hold when put in the right hands. There will be many different styles and formats of writing we will study. These include, but are not limited to:
            •  Essay writing: nonfiction writing in which the writer explains his or her thinking on a particular subject.  The purpose may be to inform, persuade, entertain, or simply to reflect.
            •  Technical writing: factual writing that conveys information sometimes solely to impart information and sometimes also to initiate action or change. Technical writing includes business letters and memos, instructions, publicity releases, proposals, and (to a certain extent) formal research papers.
            •  Research paper writing: formal nonfiction writing that presents information gathered from research (library, on-line, and personal sources).
            • Creative writing:  imaginative writing that includes poetry and short fiction.
            •  Clarity and correctness of expression:  proper and effective usage and mechanics.
 
A special note about grammar, usage and mechanics
            We will study and review troublesome areas of grammar, usage and mechanics through large group instruction, textbook exercises, and individual conferences.  Quizzes will cover some of these areas. 

I am looking forward to this highly productive year with you!

- Mrs. Berg