Department of English Composition, Literature & Professional Writing - Rockville Campus
Department of English Composition, Literature & Professional Writing - Rockville Campus Montgomery College

EN002 - Basic English II

Course Description
Course Outcomes
Common Course Requirements
Portfolio Requirements
Other Course Information
Department Syllabus Template

Course Description

EN002 (Basic English II) is the second-level developmental course designed to improve writing skills. This course emphasizes writing multi-paragraph essays, including the study of grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage. EN002 is intended for native speakers of English who need further preparation prior to taking credit courses in English. PRE- or COREQUISITES: RD095 (which requires an Accuplacer reading score of 53-65) except for those students exempted from this requirement by initial placement testing. New and continuing students with reading scores below the RD095 level are not eligible for EN002.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of EN001 with a grade of C or an Accuplacer English score of 80-89.9. Lecture hours will be used for calculating student load and tuition (five hours lecture each week, plus required laboratory work). NO CREDIT.

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Collegewide Common Course Outcomes

    Course Outcomes:
    In order to pass En002, students will be able:
  • To write (both in and out of class) unified, coherent, multi-paragraph essays (400+ words) with a clear thesis statement in each essay
  • To demonstrate the recursive writing process (pre-writing, outlining, drafting, revising, proofreading, and editing)
  • To recognize the thesis statement (main idea) and the major supporting points in student and professional essays
  • To write sentences that observe the conventions of standard American English
  • To use rhetorical strategies, based on audience and purpose, to develop paragraphs and essays
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Common Course Requirements

  • A minimum of five multi-paragraph essays of 400+ words.
  • Exercises in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage.
  • Reading assignments of college-level essays.
  • Writing Center or Lab assignments.
  • A binder containing all writing assignments required by the instructor.
  • Portfolio.
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Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio contains three essays that best represent students’ writing ability. The portfolio section should include two in-class essays, one of which may be a reflective piece. Additionally, the portfolio section should include one out-of-class essay. Draft, revision, and edit versions of each essay may be required.

Instructors will determine students’ next English course placement, considering the quality of the portfolio section of the binder and students’ progress in fulfilling other course requirements.

Using the Montgomery College English Department standards below, instructors assess the portfolio section of the binder to help in determining next course placement. To proceed to EN 101, the essays in the portfolio must
  • Complete effectively the tasks of the multi-paragraph assignments
  • Present clear thesis statements in the introductions
  • Show specific examples that support the thesis statements
  • Include smooth transitions within and between paragraphs
  • Exhibit control of grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage
To proceed to EN 101A, the essays in the portfolio must
  • Complete the tasks of the multi-paragraph assignments
  • Present thesis statements in the introductions
  • Show adequate examples that support the thesis statements
  • include transitions within and between paragraphs
  • contain occasional errors in grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and usage

Students who qualify to pass EN 002 by fulfilling the course requirements specified by the instructor and producing a satisfactory portfolio will earn one of the following placement codes from their instructor:
  • An Ameans students may enroll in either EN101 or EN101A next if the reading requirement has been met.
  • A Bmeans students must enroll in EN101A next if the reading requirement has been met.
  • An Umeans students must retake EN002.
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Other EN 001/002 Information

EN 001 Course Coordinator - Professor Ellen Olmstead

Course Texts:
  • Gaetz and Phadke, THE WRITER'S WORLD: PARAGRAPHS AND ESSAYS, Pearson Prentice-Hall