Class Notes – English 1105 @ Virginia Tech

Advice for Next Semester

Traci — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 20:34:26 +0000

As you leave my class, I’d like to give you
some last-week advice. There have been a variety of
things that I let slide or that I know I handle
differently from other teachers. With this advice,
I’d like to make you aware of those things to help
you do well in your next writing class:

Put your name on your work to make sure you get
credit for your work.
Use the format your teacher asks for if you’re
sending electronic work. Your teacher may not have the
software to open your file otherwise. Even if she has
to convert the file, the format and layout may no
longer appear as you want them to.
If you can’t turn something in using the system your
teacher wants, email the teacher AND attach the work.
That way, your teacher knows that you completed the
work on time.
Listen to and follow the instructions for your
assignments. If the teacher says to underline your
thesis or include a bibliography, be sure that you do.
Always check the syllabus before you ask questions.
You’re likely to find things like the late policy, the
grade scale, and attendance policies there.
Don’t assume that your teacher next term will do
things the same way I have. If you’re not sure about
something, ask.
Definitely be sure that you understand the teacher’s
policy on using your laptop, tablet, or cell phone in
class. The details may be on the syllabus. If they are
not, ask.
Realize that the teacher can see you, and don’t make
a bad impression. I knew when you were sleeping,
doodling, fooling around on Facebook, or generally not
doing the work I asked you to. There’s a meme teachers
share with one another:
Don’t say things like “Does this matter for the
assignment?” or “Did we do anything important in
class?” Check out this advice on things to say and
things not to say, and follow it.
Remember that the Writing Center can help you next
term too. Your teacher may not talk about it, but it
is a resource that is available for you during your
entire time here at Virginia Tech.

Dressing for Your Presentation

Traci — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 15:47:03 +0000

There's no need to dress formally for your presentations. The regular clothes you wear to class are fine. Just use common sense, and avoid anything that your be distracting or somehow undercut your credibility.

Here are 5 things not to wear:

Your Pajama Pants

Your tutu

Your Unusual Hat

Your Bacon Costume or Hulu Skirt

Anything Lady Gaga Would Wear

2013-09-20 Class Plans

Traci — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 03:07:51 +0000

Today in class, we will focus on submitting the first assignment, your literacy narratives. If you are ready to turn in your work, follow these instructions:

Work on your draft letter in a word processor (see the details in Tests & Quizzes for today, 2013-09-20). Your job is to write me a letter that tells me anything you want me to know before I read and grade your literacy narrative.
Copy your draft letter into the In-Class Writing for today and submit it.
If you have extra time before the session is over, use your time wisely. Make sure you spellchecked your paper. Check the rubric for the assignment to make sure you have everything you need in your paper.
Save your literacy narrative document as a PDF, using the naming convention LastName-FirstName-Asgt1.pdf. Check the PDF file to make sure the layout is correct and any links work.
Go to the Assignment Tab in the left sidebar in Scholar. Scroll to the bottom of the assignment and add your PDF document as an Attachment.
Mark the Honor Pledge.
Submit your work.

If you are planning to turn in your literacy narrative later (during the grace period), you have two options:

Option 1: Go ahead and work on your draft letter now.

Option 2: Work on your literacy narrative in class and complete your draft letter later.

No matter which option you choose, when you are ready to submit your literacy narrative, be sure that you also submit your draft letter in the Tests & Quizzes section of Scholar.