Course Description and Goal

Introduces the state Essential Academic Learning Requirements for writing through practicing the first nine Writing Northwest papers (outline enclosed). By developing participants’ own composing skills as role models, the Introduction serves primarily to give participants the background necessary to qualify for Writing Northwest practicum classes.

Level of Application

The goal of Writing Northwest 5101 is simply awareness

Methods of Learning

Participants achieve awareness through practicing writing, discussing writing with partners, responding to writing composed by partners, examining and commenting on student samples, participating in activities led by the instructor.

Learning Resources/Required Readings

Course materials include handouts of student samples from preschool through college provided at cost by James Sabol.

Student Learning Objectives

To become aware of the content and philosophy of the state Essential Learnings.

To become aware of the sequence of twenty Writing Northwest papers.

To become aware of the basic topic/comment format of classical rhetoric.

To become aware of the basic steps in the process of classical rhetoric.

To become aware of the concept of architecture in writing.

To develop participants’ own composing skills as role models for children.

To qualify for Writing Northwest Practicums I and II.

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to attend all class sessions whether for credit or non credit.

Grading Options and Criteria

The normal grade in Introduction to Writing Northwest 5101 is Pass or EU. Students may earn a letter grade by completing an outside project, assigned by the instructor, before the course closing date.

Requirements for Course Completion with Grade of Pass or EU

Attend all class sessions.
Read required materials.
Complete all in-class assignments.
Assist a partner and other participants to meet the course goal, cooperatively.
Fill out an SPU evaluation.

About the Instructor

Jim Sabol, B.Ed Seattle University/1956, M.A. University of Washington/1968, taught high school for twelve years in Auburn, Shoreline, and Bellevue, then worked in the curriculum department of the Bellevue School District for eighteen years. Since 1979 Jim has been director of the Writing Northwest program at Seattle Pacific University. Along the way, Jim was elected president of the Washington State Council of Teachers of English, and served on the executive committee of the National Council of Teachers of English where he helped influence Congress to amend Chapter I legislation to include writing skills. At various times, Jim studied summers in workshops at Stanford and Michigan, and served as consultant to the National Assessment of Education Progress and the College Entrance Examination Board. After a nation-wide search, IBM subcontractor JHM Corporation selected Writing Northwest and Jim Sabol to author an interactive software program in writing which is used in schools in every state.