STRATEGY ALPHA EXPOSITORY

WRITING PROGRAM

Introduction

The Strategy Alpha Expository Writing Program is a comprehensive writing course to introduce students to expository writing which is one of the central schemes in the liberal arts education in the United States. Taught entirely by current Harvard undergraduates in small classes, the program offers a curriculum that was developed under the guidance of faculty members from Harvard Expository Writing Program and experienced counselors from prestigious universities and private schools in the United States. The program closely models after the Harvard Expository Writing Program, which is a core requirement for every Harvard student.

The instructors are all current undergraduates at Harvard University. They have been selected through a rigorous application process and have undergone professional training from qualified staff from Harvard University to ensure excellent teaching skills. The interactive teaching, small classes, individual conferences, and readings selected in consultation with faculty from the Harvard Expository Writing Program will ensure maximal learning and equip the students with important skills in academic and general writings.

The details

1.      Date: June 18th to June 23rd
   Location: Hwa Chong Institution
   Requirement: Current Hwa Chong Institution Sec 4 students. Other levels are welcome to submit their application. Participating students are expected    to devote ample time to the assignments during the program.

2.      Program Fee: Standard S$ 900 (HCI students S$ 300). Payment is made to Hwa Chong Institution

3.      Application: Limit to 50 students (3 classes of 15-17 students).

4.      Curriculum and Schedule

Pre-program Assignment	Day 1 (1^st session) Introduction to course format and philosophy of writing	Day 1 (2^nd session) Close Reading Critical Thinking	Day 2 (1^st session) Thesis and Motive Introduction	Day 2 (2^nd session) Evidence and Analysis	Day 3 (1^st session) Introductions and Conclusions
Registration and Selection Topics Assigned General Readings Assigned. Independent Research on the assigned topics. Email correspondence Pre-draft Assignment	Overview of the whole program Introduction to Expository Writing Read exemplar samples of great writers and discuss Discussing the pre-essays: general and specific problems; what works, what doesn't Pre-draft Assignment Due	Passage analysis and discussion Socratic dialogue: generating ideas from text, deconstructing a piece of work, its themes and devices New readings assigned Individual Conferences about pre-essay Draft Assignment	Deriving a thesis from internal dialogue and questioning Argument, counterargument, and the synthesis of a position   Motive: why write? The significance of an argument Cohesion with thesis Discussion of the readings and pre-draft assignment	Examples of strong evidence and analysis Using evidence and quotation Dispelling assumptions in the essay Brief introduction to day 3 topics, drill for writing the introduction and conclusion paragraph	Diagramming the argument: the logical progression of the essay Encapsulating an argument: how to begin and end without repetition or summary 1^st Workshop: Peer Review of introductions and conclusion
Day 3 (2^nd session) Style and Grammar	Day 4 (1^st Session) Editing and Revision	Day 4 (Optional) (2^nd session) Independent work Day 9	Day 5 (1^st session) Editing and Revision	Day 5 (2^nd Session) Writing from Personal Experience	Day 6 Reflections
Beyond the bare bones: syntax, good form, and word usage Grammar Review: common problems The expository style: getting rid of the passive voice by emphasizing the subject and verb, clarity  Draft Due 7pm	Workshop: Peer Review, students work-shopping each other's essay Reading and critiquing your own work Emphasis on structure, cohesion and progression of an argument; the relationship between evidence paragraphs and thesis Style revision, at the sentence level	Individual Conferences Mini-SAT test	Individual Conferences Office Hours Final Revision	Personal anecdotes, narrative voice, developing your own style Techniques on description: imagery, diction and syntax       Significance of life experiences Revised draft due 5pm	Returning Graded Essays Presentations of the students' final products Exemplary writers' awards, and magazine of best collected works Writings and College Applications Review of Mini-SAT test (Optional)

5.     Applications. Please complete the application here and complete the payment by May 18th, 2007