Spring 2026
Review the Spring 2026 Academic Calendar for important dates.
Weekly Schedule
Each week in ESL 102 has its own tab. When you click a weekly tab, you will find everything you need for that week in one organized place. Every weekly tab follows the same structure so you always know what to expect. All weekly materials remain available throughout the semester. You can return to previous tabs to review lessons, readings, and feedback.
In week 1, students will be introduced to the course expectations, learning goals, and major assignments. This week is designed to establish a clear understanding of academic expectations, course policies, and the skills students will develop throughout the semester. By the end of the week, students should have a strong understanding of what is required for success and feel prepared to actively participate in all aspects of the course.
Monday
- Syllabus Review
- Commons Site Review
- Google Form Survey
Tuesday
- Required Readings: Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott
- Diagnostic Exams
- Note Taking Strategies
Assignments
Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 2. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 2, we begin our first major academic writing mode: the Process Analysis Essay. A process analysis essay explains how something works or how to do something step-by-step. This type of writing is common in academic, professional, and technical environments. You will move from describing experiences to explaining procedures with clarity, logic, and organization.
Lessons
- What is a process analysis essay?
- Process analysis introduction
- Directional vs. informational process
- Broad topics vs. narrow topics
- The body of a process analysis essay
Assessments
Required Texts
Week 2 Annotation Guide
Assignments
- Week 2 notes are due next Tuesday at the beginning of class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 3. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 3, you will move from outlines and paragraph practice to drafting a complete essay. This week emphasizes clear thesis statements, logical organization of steps, effective transitions, audience awareness, detailed explanations, grammar consistency. Students will write, revise, and strengthen their first full Process Analysis draft.
Lessons
- Vocabulary tiers
- Context clues
Assessments
- Identifying words for each vocabulary tier
- Practice directional essay
Required Text
Week 3 Annotation Guide
Assignments
- Week 3 notes are due next Tuesday at the beginning of class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for next week. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 4, we begin a new academic writing mode: the Definition Essay. A definition essay develops a clear central idea (thesis) and explains the meaning of a word, concept, or idea in a detailed and thoughtful way. Instead of relying on a simple dictionary definition, writers must expand the meaning by using specific examples, explanations, and real-life connections. This week shifts our focus from explaining how something works (Process Analysis) to exploring and clearly defining abstract ideas in a meaningful and engaging way.
Lessons
- Process analysis rubric
- What is a definition essay?
- What is an abstract concept?
- Abstract concepts vs. concrete concepts
- The introduction of a creative definition essay (hook, context, and thesis statement)
Assessments
- Practice definition essay introduction
- Practice definition essay body paragraph
- Essay 1: Process Analysis (worth 15% of your grade)
Assignments
- Week 4 notes are due next Tuesday at the beginning of class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for next week. use the annotation guide provided.
No classes scheduled April 1st-April 2nd
In week 5, students will practice writing a Definition Essay by developing their own interpretation of assigned abstract concepts. Students will learn how to break down a concept and explain its meaning using clear examples, explanations, and real-life connections. In addition, this week will focus on learning how to effectively outline a definition essay, including organizing ideas into an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Students will use outlines to plan their writing, ensuring their ideas are clear, structured, and fully developed before drafting their essays.
Lessons
- Weekly notes review and expectations
- Syntax Day 1
- Process analysis feedback (next steps, glows, and grows)
- Process analysis revisions
Assessment
Essay 1: Process Analysis Essay Revision
Assignments
- Essay 1 reflection due 4/12 11:59 p.m. on Brightspace (email submissions will not be accepted)
- Week 5 notes are due after Spring Break (Week 7) at the beginning of Tuesday’s class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required readings for week 7. Use the annotation guide provided.
There are no classes scheduled this week. Classes resume Monday, April 13, 2026.
Assignments
- Week 5 notes are due after Spring Break (Week 7) at the beginning of Tuesday’s class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 7. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 7, students will deepen their understanding of the Definition Essay by practicing how to use both historical examples and personal experiences to develop their ideas. Students will analyze the impact of each type of example and learn how they strengthen a definition by making it more credible, meaningful, and engaging. This week will focus on balancing different types of evidence, expanding explanations, and refining organization to ensure that each example clearly supports the overall definition. Students will continue to build their skills in writing effective, well-developed definition essays.
Lessons
- Syntax Day 2
- Using historical examples in a definition essay
- Using personal examples in a definition essay
Assessments
- “On Being a Cripple” quiz
- Practice definition essay using historical examples
Required Texts
Week 7 Annotation Guide
Assignments
- Week 7 notes are due next Tuesday at the beginning of class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for next week. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 8, students will transition from definition writing to argument writing. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of argumentation, including developing a clear and debatable thesis, supporting claims with evidence, and considering multiple perspectives. This week will also focus on synthesizing information from multiple sources and learning how to properly integrate and cite evidence using MLA or APA format. Students will begin practicing how to move beyond personal ideas by using research to support their arguments in a clear, organized, and academically appropriate way.
Lessons
- How to create a digital portfolio
- What is an argument essay?
- What does synthesizing sources mean?
Assessments
- Essay 2: Definition Essay (worth 15% of your grade)
- How to select evidence
Assignments
- Essay 2 reflection due 4/27 11:59 p.m. on Brightspace (email submissions will not be accepted)
- Week 8 notes are due next Tuesday at the beginning of class.
- Print, read, and annotate the required texts for next week. use the annotation guide provided.
In week 1, students will be introduced to the course expectations, learning goals, and major assignments. This week is designed to establish a clear understanding of academic expectations, course policies, and the skills students will develop throughout the semester. By the end of the week, students should have a strong understanding of what is required for success and feel prepared to actively participate in all aspects of the course.
Monday
- Syllabus Review
- Commons Site Review
- Google Form Survey
Tuesday
- Required Readings: Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott
- Diagnostic Exams
- Note Taking Strategies
Assignments
Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 2. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 1, students will be introduced to the course expectations, learning goals, and major assignments. This week is designed to establish a clear understanding of academic expectations, course policies, and the skills students will develop throughout the semester. By the end of the week, students should have a strong understanding of what is required for success and feel prepared to actively participate in all aspects of the course.
Monday
- Syllabus Review
- Commons Site Review
- Google Form Survey
Tuesday
- Required Readings: Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott
- Diagnostic Exams
- Note Taking Strategies
Assignments
Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 2. Use the annotation guide provided.
In week 1, students will be introduced to the course expectations, learning goals, and major assignments. This week is designed to establish a clear understanding of academic expectations, course policies, and the skills students will develop throughout the semester. By the end of the week, students should have a strong understanding of what is required for success and feel prepared to actively participate in all aspects of the course.
Monday
- Syllabus Review
- Commons Site Review
- Google Form Survey
Tuesday
- Required Readings: Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott
- Diagnostic Exams
- Note Taking Strategies
Assignments
Print, read, and annotate the required texts for week 2. Use the annotation guide provided.
Student Evaluation of Teaching
Student evaluations of teaching will be open Thursday, June 4th.
For questions/inquiries about evaluations, please contact KCCs SmartEvals Team at [email protected]
Each course evaluation is a standard set of 12 questions, which should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
Surveys are anonymous, and results are shared with faculty only after final grades are submitted.
If you are having trouble accessing your account to complete the evaluation, contact the student helpdesk: [email protected]
Assignments
Essay 3 reflection due on Brightspace (email submissions will not be accepted)
