This is an introductory course about descriptive writing. Students enrolled in this course will receive an overview of basic descriptive elements such as sense description and comparison. Students will then learn how to apply these descriptive techniques to a variety of writing formats. Level I students will learn how to apply basic descriptive techniques to accomplish 5 major tasks:

• A series of detailed sense descriptions
• A descriptive passage
• A descriptive paragraph with a controlling idea
• A descriptive acrostic
• A descriptive character sketch

Throughout the course, students will participate in extensive email exchanges with their distance instructor for every assignment. Students are then expected to apply their instructor’s comments about the previous assignment to their current revisions.

This is an intermediate course to descriptive writing that expands on the basic elements of description used in literature. The focus of this course on objective/subjective description and figurative language used in an academic setting. Students will learn how to apply these techniques to a formal descriptive paragraph as they expand on pre-existing skills. Level II students will use the writing process to accomplish 5 major tasks:

• A series of word pictures using sense details and figurative language
• A descriptive character sketch
• A descriptive scene
• A descriptive poem
• A formal descriptive paragraph with a dominant impression

Throughout the course, students will participate in extensive email exchanges with their distance instructor for every assignment. Students are then expected to apply their instructor’s comments about the previous assignment to their current revisions.

Beginning in 2005, the SAT will incorporate a writing section much like that currently found on the SAT II: Writing test. This course will help students prepare for the essay section of the new SAT.

• The class will go over the uestion prompts which students can expect to see on the test, grading criteria, and what it takes to write a superb essay.
• • At first a scaffold is provided: a set of directions that aid students' thinking about the writing process that students can use to work through every essay.
• The scaffolding is then gradually removed to let the students practice writing independently.
• The final three lessons will be practice tests that simulate actual test conditions.
• The students will write a total of 10 essays in this course.