Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica, Language Arts Board of Studies

Subject/Course: [LA101GEB] Communication Skills 1 –

COURSEWORK SCHEDULE (2023-2024)
Lecturer: O. McKenzie

Important Guidelines—Research Expository Essay:

Coursework

Research Expository Essay (20%) IN-COURSE TEST COMPULSORY

Word limit: 450-500 words

 Three critical points (without overlapping) will develop the thesis sentence in a five-
paragraph essay.
 Key modes of writing: analysis, process analysis, definition, description, cause and
effect, problem-solution, illustration (exemplification), comparison and contrast. One
or two modes can be used for development, with other modes incorporated where
suitable to enhance writing.
 The expository essay will be written in class under test conditions.
 Mark scheme: Use UWI-TCJ Criterion Grid
 Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica, Language Arts Board of Studies
Subject/Course: [LA101GEB] Communication Skills 1 –
COURSEWORK SCHEDULE (2023-2024)
Lecturer: O. McKenzie

Themes Sub themes

1. Environment  Climate Change

 Waste Management e.g. recycling
 Sustainable Development e.g. repurposing land

2. Technology  Cybersecurity
 Artificial Intelligence
 Employment (Opportunities or Threats)

3. Education  Technical and Vocational Education (TVET)

 The Relevance of a Higher Education
 The Value of Early Childhood Education

4. Crime and  Crime Fighting Measures

Violence  Violence against the Vulnerable
 White Collar Crime

5. Health  Holistic Health

 Health Care Services (availability and accessibility)
 Lifestyle Diseases

6. Family  The Impact of Separation on Children

- the separation or divorce of parents
- the long- or short-term migration of parents
 Blended Families (challenges, strategies for success)
 The Role of the Extended Family

Table 3: LA101GEB 2023-2024 SEMESTER 2 THEMES AND SUB-THEMES

Important Guidelines—Critical Comprehension and Extemporaneous Speech:

Critical comprehension (20%) IN-COURSE TEST COMPULSORY

 Questions are to be structured based on the Table of Specifications

 The main text, Blooming with the Pouis has readings with critical thinking and
writing practice questions.
 Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica, Language Arts Board of Studies
Subject/Course: [LA101GEB] Communication Skills 1 –
COURSEWORK SCHEDULE (2023-2024)
Lecturer: O. McKenzie

 The “Introduction” chapter of Blooming with the Pouis offers valuable information
for students’ understanding of expository writing.
 Incorporate additional thematic readings where necessary or relevant.

Speech (10%)
 Students are to select ONE of the themes and use sub-themes listed above.
 The topic for the speech is to be different from the essay, to facilitate opportunity for
development, as well as, for exam preparation.
 Students will be required to adopt the role of a speaker at either a research day, a
conference or a seminar.
 Each speech should last approximately 3 minutes.
 Mark scheme: Use UWI-TCJ Criterion Speech Grid

Examination

Section A: Critical Comprehension 20%

Section B: Expository Essay 30%

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Blooming with the Pouis (Ian Randle, Publishers)

College level dictionary