Master the Essay
Half Year Course – Fall; 90 minutes
This class aims to improve essay writing and written communication skills for upper-level high school students preparing for college writing or aspiring towards an immediate career. Students heading to CSM or other colleges will be prepared for entry-level college writing courses. Students aiming towards work or a career will hone their written communication skills through the essay form.
This course will help students reach understanding and competence in writing essays, focusing on expository essays with an introduction to the persuasive essay. Students will practice choosing topics, developing ideas, organizing their thoughts using graphic organizers or outlines, and conducting research in a manner that avoids plagiarism.
Students will receive feedback on content, mechanics, and style at various checkpoints. Because varied vocabulary is essential for strong writing, a vocabulary workbook will be used weekly.
Since academic writing requires appropriately quoted, summarized, and cited sources, students will progressively learn and integrate the MLA 9th citation format throughout the semester.
Homework:
- This course requires at least 30 minutes, four to five days a week, for the student to keep up with the assignments.
- Some homework will be due online, via Thinkwave, every Thursday or Friday.
- Almost every week, you must bring in physical copies of your current essay’s progress for use during class. Ensure your printer is working properly!
- Since class time is devoted to instruction and learning activities, the bulk of the student’s writing work must occur at home.
FAQ – Will students have to read aloud or write on the board during class? Students can read their essays in class or ask someone to read a paper aloud, but it is not mandatory.
Class work is often in small groups where students use guided activities to read and respond to each other’s work and ideas.
Prerequisite(s): Student must have the ability to:
- Write a solid paragraph and earlier experience completing an essay or short research paper.
- Upload assignments online into ThinkWave as .docx documents and .jpg or .pdf picture formats.
- Write at the 11th -grade level or higher. Students who have not completed a 10th grade writing course will find this class challenging. Parents should contact Mrs. Graessle if they have questions.
Textbooks: Purchase “New” or “Like New” used books to ensure clean pages
- MLA the Easy Way: Updated for the 9th Edition by Peggy M. Houghton and Timothy J Houghton – ISBN: 978-17330079-6-2. Please purchase a printed copy, as we will use it in class for activities.
- How to Write for Class: A Student’s Guide to Grammar, Punctuation and Style by Erica L. Meltzer. ISBN: 978-1-7335895-0-5. New $16.69 at Amazon. This handbook, with practice exercises, will serve you through college.
- The Vocabulary Builder Workbook: Simple Lessons and Activities to Teach Yourself over 1,400 Must-Know Words by Chris Lele, ISBN: 978-1-93975-481-3, $5.92 at Amazon; used copies available.
Required Resources:
- A spelling checker, such as one available in most word processing programs.
- Access to Kahoot and Quizlet for learning and review activities.
- Daily check of ThinkWave for updates or communication from Mrs. Graessle.
- Students must not use AI for the writing process, according to CCT policy.
Required Materials, brought to class each week:
- 1” to 1.5” 3-ring binder with six tabs
- 10-20 pieces of lined paper in the binder
- Blue/black ink pen
- Set of 6 color highlighters (yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, purple)
- Two or three colors of medium-sized sticky notes
- Occasional need for a laptop in class; Tutor will give advance notice. Students without a laptop can share on those dates.
Additional Fee: $15 fee for content handouts and in-class materials.
Instructor: Carolyn Graessle
Revised: 28 April 2026