Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music

Office of Academic Affairs

Department of General Studies

Course Title: English Composition II

Code: INGL 3002
Class Schedule: Monday/Wednesday, 1:00-2:30 or 2:30-4:00
Professor: Laura Martínez
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: englishclass.pr@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/englishclass.pr

Course Description: This course focuses on teaching students of English

as a Second Language how to think critically and
write persuasively. It provides an introduction for a
methodological analysis of written and audiovisual
texts, as well as the tools to write effectively about
them. The course emphasizes creative yet organized
thinking, and formal yet compelling writing.
Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. identify and understand a variety of rhetorical
figures in literary texts;
2. critically analyze literature, film, and music;
3. compose critical reviews of audiovisual texts;
4. approach writing as a means of persuasion;
5. perform thorough research and write about their
findings;
6. use the APA Style Guide;
7. compose well-structured texts following the
principles of coherence and unity;
8. understand and adhere to the structure of the
Course Topics: essay;
9. edit for structure and content (individual and
peer editing).

1. How do we read? Learning to read actively

2. Figures of Speech and Literary Conventions
3. Reading Between the Lines: Literary Analysis
4. What’s your point: Thesis Statement
5. Proving your point: Arguments
6. APA: format, quotes, and references
Teaching Strategies: 7. The Critical Review (applied to music and film)
8. The Research Paper
9. Editing for structure and content

Throughout the course of the semester, the class will

analyze and discuss different texts by means of open
debate. Each topic will be introduced by means of a
Learning Resources: lecture or workshop and will be further explored in
group discussions. Students will regularly practice
their writing skills with different activities in the
Evaluation: classroom and at home. The Socratic Method will be
applied.

Books, handouts, readings, and internet resources

available in class, the library or technology center.

Text Books: Research Paper

25%
Literary Analysis
25%
Reviews
25%
References: Homework, Participation, and Attendance __25%
100%

Clouse, B. (2009). A Troubleshooting guide for

writers.
McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social
Sciences/Languages.

Kirszner, L. & Mandell, S. (2001). Literature: Reading,

Reacting,
Writing. Boston: Thomson & Heinle.

About.com: English as 2nd Language:

http://esl.about.com/
Dictionary.com:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
The Forest of Rhetoric:
http://rhetoric.byu.edu/
The Literature Network
http://www.online-literature.com/
Merriam-Webster Online:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/
Read Book Online:
http://www.readbookonline.net/
The Writing Lab & Owl at Purdue University:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu