Outcomes

• Demonstrate descriptive and prescriptive grammar.
• Demonstrate traditional grammar.
• Demonstrate structural grammar.
• Label and explain parts of speech within sentences.
• Demonstrate descriptive and prescriptive grammars through traditional and structural grammar.
• Diagram sentences reflecting the ten major sentence patterns.
• Demonstrate Edited American English.
• Demonstrate basic editing skills.
• Identify significant events in the evolution of British, American, and global English.

Description

Theory and Practice of Language—Grammar and Usage is a required sophomore or junior-level course for all English majors. This class assumes students already know the English language because they are native speakers or are comfortable with language arts, and speak and write sentences grammatically well. Martha Kolln and Robert Funk claim, “Knowing a language and knowing about a language are two very different kinds of knowledge.” On the other hand, this class also assumes students are less familiar with English and are uncertain how to discuss what makes those sentences grammatical. Therefore, the focus of this class is to help English majors understand and feel more comfortable with the terminology, principles, issues, and applications of language in their everyday lives.

English 325 has the following major components:

• Grammar. We will focus on traditional and structural grammar (diagramming). Grammar allows us to identify sentence structures, their parts, and their relationships. Cindy Vitto's Grammar by Diagram is our grammar text. There are 13 quizzes worth 20 points each (260 points).
• Mechanics. We will review traditional mechanics and punctuation rules, such as subject and verb agreement and commas. There are 8 quizzes worth 10 points each and 1 Mechanics Exam worth 95 points. (175 points)
• Personal Grammar Workbook. Each student will create a personal grammar workbook with rules, explanations, exercises, and answers. These will be evaluated in your groups each week. (100 points)
• Editing Portfolio. We will apply principles of grammar and mechanics through editing exercises to demonstrate Edited American English. (50 points)

Quizzes

English 325 has three types of quizzes:

• Grammar quizzes on each chapter of Vitto's Grammar by Diagram. (These can be taken multiple times.)
• Mechanics quizzes on mechanics and punctuation rules. (These can be taken multiple times.)
• Self-scored participation quizzes.

All quizzes for the week are open throughout the entire week. Quizzes can be taken multiple times anytime during that week—the highest score counts.

Exams

English 325 has five major exams:

• Four unit exams.
• One mechanics exam.

These unit exams are not proctored. They will be opportunities for you to demonstrate your integrity. The mechanics exam will use the remote proctoring system, Proctorio.

Learning Model Architecture

You will be expected to prepare for each week by reading and reviewing the assigned materials (readings from your textbook, online readings, and online presentations). You will have many opportunities to teach one another in the discussion boards where you will provide feedback on workbook pages. You will have chances to ponder and prove the things you learn through online quizzes, online exercises, and discussion board feedback.

Prerequisites

None

Required Materials

• Vitto, Cindy L. Grammar by Diagram. 3rd ed. Buffalo, NY: Broadview Press, 2022. ISBN: 9781770488083
  • The digital copy is available through Auto Access or a print copy through the bookstore.
  • The course materials are available in the Course Materials List.

Notes

• Purchase the textbook and not the workbook. 
• Compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison site. They will show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best price.
• The textbook may be purchased from Amazon.com.
• A college desk dictionary is recommended.

Required Resources

Resource Title or Description (books, software, and so on)	Author or Provider	Edition or Volume	13-Digit ISBN (if applicable)
Microphone and Webcam	N/A	N/A

Proctored Exams and Assessments

This course will use an online proctoring software called Proctorio. This makes it possible for students to take assessments and exams without a human proctor present. Proctored exams can be accessed like any other exam, once the software has been installed. Exams will be recorded by Proctorio and reviewed by the BYUI Testing Center. Any questionable exams will be forwarded to the instructor for further review.

For step-by-step instructions on Proctorio installation, please refer to Student Help: Proctorio in Canvas.

Grading Policies

There are weekly due dates. Late assignments are not accepted.

Graded activities include exercises, daily preparation, quizzes, and exams. Most often the number grade follows the breakdown below.

Letter Grade	Percentage Range
A	100%–94%
A-	93%–90%
B+	89%–87%
B	86%–84%
B-	83%–80%
C+	79%–77%
C	76%–74%
C-	73%–70%
D+	69%–67%
D	66%–64%
D-	63%–60%
F	59%–00%

Disclaimer

The instructor reserves the right to slightly alter grades depending on a student's performance.

University Policies

Students with Disabilities

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Services Office at 1-208-496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Accessibility Services Office.

This course may require synchronous meetings. If you are currently registered with the Disability Services Office and need an interpreter or transcriber for these meetings, please contact the deaf and hard of hearing coordinator at 1-208-496-9219.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Other Resources

If you need assistance, visit the I-Learn Help tab located on the left-hand side of your screen to contact the appropriate support center.