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12
th
Grade ERWC
Expository Reading Writing Course
Mrs. Ordway-Roach
Downey High School
Twitter: @mrsotogo
Blog: www.mrsosenglish.blogspot.com
Email: bordway@dusd.net
www.noredink.com Class information:
App: Remind101 Class information:

Course Description:
This rhetoric-based course was designed by the California State Universities and the California
Community Colleges and fulfills the district senior year English graduation requirement. All
students enrolled in this course must pass both semesters in order to walk and receive their
diploma. The goal of the ERWC class is to develop advance critical and analytical thinking skills
through argumentative reading and writing. Throughout the course students will engage with
texts that deal with controversial contemporary issues as well as SAT level vocabulary. It is
expected that students in this course are ready and willing to engage in rigorous intellectual
challenges.

Objectives:
Students in ERWC will:
Analyze an authors use of rhetorical devices, patterns of organization, and word choice
Analyze an authors explicit and implicit viewpoints
Critique and/or defend an authors argument by referring to the text
Formulate personal viewpoints and make claims based on the text
Revise writing to improve argument and organization, and revise the work of peers
Edit writing for clarity and proper grammar
Practice strategies for on-demand timed essay tests
Organization:
The ERWC course is designed so that every unit follows the same sequential method of
rhetorical reading and writing. Each topic we explore will take 2-4 weeks, depending on the
length of the readings, and will generally follow this sequence:
Reading Rhetorically-strategies and activities for pre-reading, reading and post-reading
Connecting Reading to Writing- strategies and activities for referencing text, and
negotiating voices
Writing Rhetorically-strategies and activities for pre-writing, writing, revising, editing
and evaluating
Texts:
The texts assigned in this course are non-fiction. Students will read articles and essays from
magazines and newspapers. For this class, reading will be distributed in hard copy at the start of
each unit OR emailed before each unit. With the exception of the two in class novels and your
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two non-fiction novels you choose. These you will need to buy, borrow or check out from the
library. Please note that you will be expected to annotate in ALL the readings novels included.
Strongly Recommended Materials:
1 or 2 Three-ring binder (may include other classes as well)
Spiral Bound Journal
Pack of index of cards (4x6 or 5x7)
Highlighters (2-3 colors)
Blue/Black pens
College-ruled paper
Sticky notes (post-it or any like brand)
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Semester one)
1984 by George Orwell (Semester two)
Professional and appropriate email
*Access to the internet and computer
*I f you do not have a computer at home you will need to build in time to work after
school in the library or at the city library to complete any work that requires a
computer or the internet.
Grade Breakdown: Your grade will fall into the following categories.
Final Draft Writing Assignments: 45%
Classwork and Homework: 35% (this includes the required annotations for articles or novels)
Tests/Quizzes: 10%
Participation: 10%

Semester One:
September-January: SAT Vocabulary; 4 Units
Quiz 1: 9/19 Quiz 3: 10/17
Quiz 2: 10/3 Quiz 4: 10/31 or 11/3
Vocabulary Final: November 14
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September-November: Bring your own text to class (non-fiction)
Non-fiction Book Report due the second week of December
September: Rhetoric of the Op/Ed Page: Understanding Ethos, Pathos and Logos
September/October: Whats Next? Thinking about Life After High School.
October-November: Racial Profiling
November-December: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
December-May: Writers Workshop

Semester Two:
December-May: Writers Workshop
February-June: SAT Vocabulary 13 Units *Dates may be adjusted if necessary
Quiz 1 Chap. 1-2: 2/13 Quiz 2: Chaps. 1-4: 2/27
Quiz 3: Chap. 1-6 3/13 Quiz 4: Chap. 1-8: 3/27
Quiz 5: Chap 1-10 4/10 Quiz 6: Chap. 1-12 4/24
Quiz 7: Chap 1-13 5/8 Review Quiz: 1-13 5/22
Vocabulary Final: JUNE 5th
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February: Juvenile Justice
March-April: Language, Culture and Gender
April-May-2
nd
Non-Fiction Novel and Report
May-June: 1984 by George Orwell
June: Writing Portfolio

Grading Policies:
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is not tolerated. If you are caught turning in work that is not your own
you will receive a zero for that assignment and referred to the appropriate Dean of Students.

Late Work:
Final draft or processed essays and ERWC notebook checks will be lowered ONE LETTER
GRADE for each day late up to one week past the deadline. If you are absent and it is excused
you have the same amount of days you were absent. It is your job to keep track of due dates and
deadlines.

Revision for a Higher Grade:
If students earned a F to C- you have the option of submitting an additional revision to their final
draft essay, outside of class, in order to raise their final draft grade. Students must conference
their paper one-to-one with Mrs. Ordway, and then turn in both the graded and revised version of
the paper for a re-grade.

Class Expectations and Rules:
Attendance: I will expect that you attend class every single day we meet. With that being said, I
do understand family emergencies, illness or deaths in the family---however, we cannot have
someone in your family die multiple times due to your inability to be prepared. This course will
move quickly and too many absences will affect your grade. I f you are absent you will be
required to email me any assignments that are due that day. I suggest you create a study group
where you exchange emails or phone numbers (if youre comfortable) so that if you are absent
you have reliable people to reach out to. If you are consistently tardymore than twice (I get the
construction issues we face, but youre seniors now so) and you are walking in after the bell
disrupting the start of the class you will receive a U for your citizenship grade at the first mid-
quarter reporting period. You are allowed to use the bathroom after instruction and when you are
released to work either by yourself or in groups. I do not issue bathroom passes to seniors, its
your body. I trust that you are able to take care of your needs without abusing the right and trust
Ive given you.

Class Environment:
Respect others belongings and opinions at all times, especially during group and class
discussions.
Respect the technology in the classroom. Using the iPads, Chrome books or your
smartphones is a privilege that can and will be taken away if it is being abused. Unless, I
ask you to post something on social media (most likely not) there is no need to update,
post, text or Instagram anything. #justputitaway
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Come prepared for class every day with your ERWC notebook, class novels, articles, 3
ring binder, paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, post-its and a planner or calendar. Write
what you must do down so you dont forget.
Keep our room clean. You are allowed bottled water or a drink that has a cap. Why?
Because bugs really like the stuff you leave behind and just because my last name is
Roach doesnt mean I want them in my room. Diatribes aside, leave the food in your
backpack.please. If you have medical issues please see me and we will work
something out.
Commit to this class. This class tries to mirror a freshmen college class as much as
possible. This class will be difficult, you may go to your counselor to try and switch out. I
wouldnt recommend thatgive this class a chance, work hard to meet the expectations,
prove to yourself that you can rise to any occasion. Im your biggest cheerleader and I
believe in you. No, really. I will probably even tear up in June when you prepare to leave.
Graduate, become awesome! (well, more awesome than you already are)


First Homework Assignment (20 points):
Email Mrs. Ordway from your professional/educational email at: bordway@dusd.net
In the body of the email using a narrative form:
Tell me about yourself. Tell me why you choose or why you think you were put in the ERWC
class. Also include what it is, in your opinion that your parents, teachers or friends dont
understand about whats going on with you academically. What has your past experience in
English taught you? Do you need to change the way you approach this class or do you feel like
you are walking in well prepared. What should I know about you? Whats your best joke? (keep
it cleanthis is a family show)