The Composition Program at Kingsborough proceeds from the belief that extensive critical reading and writing prepare students for future literacy requirements not only in college and the workplace but also in our democratic society at large. It is through writing thesis-driven essays—the most common form of written argumentation and knowledge-making in college—that we push students to discover, articulate, and redefine their thinking. Further, it is only by understanding the ideas and perspectives of others—writers and peers—that we come to fully formulate our own positions. Thus critical reading, peer review, and revision are vital components of the writing process.

English 12, our Composition I course, is a required three-credit course that meets four hours per week. It is an introductory course in college-level reading and writing emphasizing the development of ideas in essays, including how language communicates facts, ideas, and attitudes. This course teaches writing as a process involving revision based on feedback from readers. Students learn how to develop college-level essays through close reading and intertextual analysis — reading across and between texts drawn from various disciplines.

The documents below outline our curriculum structure and indicate the information that should be included in your courses syllabus. We are also providing sample syllabi and assignments.  Please let us know if you have any questions or ideas for additional resources. You can also post your suggestions/comments in the comments section below.