This is a six credit section that includes English 111 and English 09. English 111 is the regular Freshman Composition course. English 09 is a supplement to that course which will give you individualized support for your writing. Only English 111 offers college credit and can be transferred to another college.

During this course you will write and revise several essays, learn basic Internet and library research skills, work on a semester-long research and writing project, and learn to compose and document an argument paper. Individual writing, research, grammar and editing tasks will be assigned.

If you do well in this course, you will:

• express your ideas clearly, logically and correctly in writing
• explore voice, audience, and purpose in writing
• read critically and respond to that reading in writing
• analyze and evaluate your own and other people's writing
• write a clear, useful summary of an article
• write, revise and edit an essay which has an identifiable thesis
• support your thesis with adequately organized, unified, specific details
• use Internet resources to research a topic of your choosing
• present that research in written report form
• use parenthetical documentation and a list of works cited

The required textbooks for this course are:

• A WRITER'S REFERENCE: Diana Hacker (6th Edition), VHPS, 2007

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the assignments and exams, according to the following points:

There are 3 proctored exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : dthompson@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 323-3347

You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.