- Course Type CLEP
- Subject Composition and Literature
- Level Introductory
- Length 6 Modules
- Video Length 3h 8m
- Reading Pages 666
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
College Composition develops your writing and language skills, focusing on grammar and usage, revision, organization, rhetorical analysis, and the ability to evaluate and use source material effectively. The course prepares you to apply these skills in academic settings, especially in first-year composition.
This is a free, self-paced Modern States course with no prerequisites. It is aligned to the multiple-choice components of the CLEP® College Composition exam and is especially well-suited for preparing for the CLEP® College Composition Modular exam, which does not require essays. If you plan to take the full CLEP® College Composition exam, please note that it includes two essay sections not covered in this course. The course is designed to prepare you to succeed on the test and earn college credit at no cost.
Modern States originally developed this course in collaboration with Mr. Simpson. Ann M. Pelelo, Ph.D. of Clarke University supported course enhancements published in 2025.
Course Overview
College Composition Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| 1. Conventions of Standard Written English (10%) 00:42:20 total video length 223 total reading pages |
1: Conventions of Standard Written English | – | – |
| 1.1: Syntax (Parallelism, Coordination, Subordination) | 0:10:00 | 67 | |
| 1.2: Sentence Boundaries (Comma Splice, Run-Ons, Sentence Fragments) | 0:02:49 | 27 | |
| 1.3: Recognition of Correct Sentences | 0:02:42 | 44 | |
|
1.4: Concord/Agreement (Pronoun Reference, Case Shift, and Number; Subject-Verb; Verb Tense)
|
0:07:56 | 53 | |
| 1.5: Diction | 0:04:52 | 32 | |
| 1.6: Modifiers | 0:03:07 | – | |
| 1.7: Idiom | 0:01:37 | – | |
| 1.8: Active/Passive Voice | 0:00:47 | – | |
| 1.9: Lack of Subject in Modifying Word Group | 0:01:29 | – | |
| 1.10: Logical Comparison | 0:01:40 | — | |
| 1.11: Logical Agreement | 0:01:09 | – | |
| 1.12: Punctuation | 0:04:12 | – | |
| 1: Summary | – | – | |
| 2. Revision Skills 00:35:57 total video length 62 total reading pages |
2: Revision Skills | 0:01:21 | – |
| 2.1: Organization | 0:04:18 | 30 | |
| 2.2: Evaluation of Evidence | 0:02:45 | 32 | |
| 2.3: Awareness of Audience, Tone, and Purpose | 0:01:19 | – | |
| 2.4: Level of Detail | 0:02:57 | – | |
| 2.5: Coherence Between Sentences and Paragraphs | 0:02:27 | – | |
| 2.6: Sentence Variety and Structure | 0:02:55 | – | |
| 2.7: Main Idea, Thesis Statements, and Topic Sentences | 0:02:38 | – | |
| 2.8: Rhetorical Effects and Emphasis | 0:01:28 | – | |
| 2.9: Use of Language | 0:02:42 | – | |
| 2.10: Evaluation of Author’s Authority and Appeal | 0:02:35 | – | |
| 2.11: Evaluation of Reasoning | 0:04:21 | – | |
| 2.12: Consistency of Point of View | 0:01:26 | – | |
| 2.13: Transitions | 0:02:09 | – | |
| 2.14: Sentence-Level Errors Primarily Relating to the Conventions of Standard Written English | 0:00:36 | – | |
| 2: Summary | – | – | |
| 3. Ability to Use Source Materials (25%) 00:30:20 total video length 55 total reading pages |
3: Introduction to Ability to Use Source Materials | 0:00:41 | – |
| 3.1: Use of Reference Material | 0:05:01 | 55 | |
| 3.2: Evaluation of Sources | 0:06:21 | – | |
| 3.3: Integration of Resource Material | 0:04:29 | – | |
| 3.4: Documentation of Sources | 0:13:48 | – | |
| 3: Summary | – | – | |
| 4. Rhetorical Analysis (25%) 00:13:54 total video length 38 total reading pages |
4: Introduction to Rhetorical Analysis | 0:00:24 | – |
| 4.1: Appeals | 0:01:18 | 38 | |
| 4.2: Tone | 0:01:03 | – | |
| 4.3: Organization/Structure | 0:02:56 | – | |
| 4.4: Rhetorical Effects | 0:02:36 | – | |
| 4.5: Use of Language | 0:02:49 | – | |
| 4.6: Evaluation of Evidence | 0:02:48 | – | |
| 4: Summary | – | – | |
| 5. The Essays: Our Guide 00:16:47 total video length 288 total reading pages |
5: The Essays | 0:00:50 | 144 |
| 5.1: Our Guide | 0:15:57 | 144 | |
| 5: Summary | – | – | |
| 6. Review and Tips 00:48:19 total video length 0 total reading pages |
6: Review and Tips | 0:00:49 | – |
| 6.1: Review – Part 1 | 0:18:14 | – | |
| 6.2: Review – Part 2 | 0:22:27 | – | |
| 6.3: Things to Remember | 0:06:49 | – | |
| 6: Summary | – | – | |
| Course Conclusion | – | – |
