English 1114--Comp II

Txtbks./Readings       How to Do Papers       Grading       Attendance       Course Packet

                                                  

99, 1108, 1111, & 1114 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)                 This page has a list of frequently asked questions - the questions I most often am asked.  Simply use the list of questions below to see if something like your question is there.  If it is (or there is something related to it), simply click on the question.                                           WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS? (Click on your question.) 1. HOW DO I KNOW I’M GETTING CREDIT FOR PAPERS & ATTENDANCE?    2. WHERE IS MY HOMEWORK--DO I GET IT BACK?   3a.-3c. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT D2L/DISCUSSION-BOARD CLASSES.   4. CAN I CONTACT YOU IN OTHER WAYS THAN BY EMAIL?   5. IF I HAVEN’T DONE SOMETHING ON TIME, CAN I STILL GET CREDIT FOR IT? 6. IS HOMEWORK DIFFERENT FROM DISCUSSION-BOARD CLASS?   7. HOW DO I GET FEEDBACK ON MY WRITING?   8. IF I HAVEN’T BEEN GETTING WEEKLY EMAILS FROM YOU, SHOULD I BE WORRIED?   9. HOW SHOULD I ORGANIZE SUBTITLES WHEN WRITING MY WEEKLY HOMEWORK?  10. WHY DON'T YOU WRITE COMMENTS ON EVERY DRAFT?  11. ISN'T WRITING KIND OF A WASTE OF TIME FOR SOME OF US?  12. WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO ALL OF THIS ONLINE STUFF?  13. WHAT IS "PROPER" BEHAVIOR IN COLLEGE?  14. CAN I GET A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FOR MY WRITING?  15. HOW SHOULD I WRITE MY DRAFTS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 PAPERS?  16. HOW DO I GET THE HOME PAGE WHEN "www.Richard.Jewell.net" IS DOWN?  17. WHERE IS THE "COURSE PACKET" WITH THE DRAFT 1-4 COVER SHEETS?        WHAT ARE THE ANSWERS?      1. HOW DO I KNOW I’M GETTING CREDIT FOR PAPERS AND ATTENDANCE? Simply look at the "Attendance" or "Weekly Papers" credit sheet when it is passed around in class.  I don't pass the "Weekly Papers" sheet around every time, so if you want to see it, just ask that it be passed around, and I'll be glad to do so.  You also can come up before or after class to see either or both sheets.   Return to top.                  2. WHERE IS MY HOMEWORK - DO I GET IT BACK? Yes.  I always try to return your homework to you with credit marked on it. I usually return your homework during class.  If I don't, usually that means I don't have it done, yet.  If you come late and want to know whether I returned homework, just ask me after class so that you can collect it then.  And if you miss a class when homework may have been returned, simply ask for it at the next class. Return to top.                  3. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT D2L/DISCUSSION-BOARD CLASSES. Starting: First, if the IHCC Class Schedule and the website for the course say you do not have D2L discussion boards, then there are no online discussion boards and no use of D2L at all for this course.  However, if you DO have D2L discussion boards, see below. 3a. MOST  QUESTIONS are on the discussion boards in "FAQs": Please go to this Web site's "Discussion Boards" page (in the yellow bar at the top of all pages in this site) and, in there, click on the direct link to the class discussion board.  Once you're in the discussion boards, look in the "FAQs" section (look for the FAQs link in the left-hand column, near the top).  In addition, here are some basic, starting FAQs about discussion board class.   3b. HOW DO I GET TO THE CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD AND START?  Simply click on the "D2L" link in the navigation bar at the top of all the web pages in this web site.  3c. HOW COME I CAN SEE THE DISCUSSION BOARDS BUT I CAN'T WRITE A MESSAGE?  HOW DO I JOIN THE CLASS discussion board? See the starting directions either  in this Web site's "D2L" page or in the discussion boards themselves.  Read the directions.  You'll find that you can see the discussion board without being a member, but to write on the discussion board, you have to go through two joining processes.  The first is to join MSN and get a free MSN account.  (If you already have a hotmail or MSN.com account, then that is your MSN account.)  The second joining process is to become a member of our own class's discussion boards.  The directions on the discussion boards will tell you how.  Usually this information is covered during the first week of the semester in class (as are many other basic directions in class, so it is important to attend class regularly especially during the first eight or nine weeks).. 3d. ARE DISCUSSION BOARDS REQUIRED? If the course materials say they are part of the course, then yes, they are required.  They are part of your attendance grade.  To see more details about how discussionboard classes fit into your attendance grade, click on "Attendance" in the yellow bar at the top of any of these course web pages. 3e. HOW CAN I MAKE UP MISSED DISCUSSION BOARDS? You can still do them.  To find out how, go to the class discussion boards, find the left-hand column of links and weeks, and look for "FAQs" at the top of that column.  Then click on the link and find the question there.  You also can make up missed discussion boards just as you could any missed class on campus - by doing attendance make ups.  To find out how to do attendance make ups, click on "Attendance" in the yellow bar at the top of any of the web pages in this course web site; then click on "Make ups." 3f. OTHER QUESTIONS are in the discussion boards in "FAQs": As "3a." above says, for most questions about the discussion boards, please click in the yellow bar at the top of these web pages on "Discussion Boards" and, once in the discussion boards, click on "FAQs" in the top of the left column.  Return to top.                  4. CAN I CONTACT YOU IN OTHER WAYS THAN BY EMAIL? Certainly!  You can call me at home 9 am to 7:00 pm (612-870-7024) or drop by my office at school during my office hours.  You also can drop off homework at my home, if necessary, or even meet me at a coffeehouse in my home area of Minneapolis (Loring Park/Uptown) when I won't be at school for several days.  For more information, click here to go my instructor Web site with contact info in it: http://Richard.Jewell.net/contact.htm.   Return to top.                  5. IF I HAVEN’T DONE SOMETHING ON TIME, CAN I STILL GET CREDIT FOR IT?  WHEN ARE THINGS DUE? Yes and no.  Here's how: The Photo & Info Sheet and the "Class Journals": I'd like these as soon as possible, but I'm easy on this one--I'll take them any time and still give you credit. Physical Classes and Online Classes: A class miss is a class miss.  However, there are multiple ways to make up class attendance misses: click in the yellow bar at the top of any of these course web pages on "Attendance" and go to "Make Up and Extra Credit."  In addition, concerning discussion board classes, I do allow people to do them late.  For directions on how to do this, see the "FAQs" page right on the discussion boards.  Wed./Thurs. Homework: It's always due at the last class of the week.  This means it is due by Wednesday for M.W. classes--or Thursday for Tu.Th. classes--before or at the beginning of class.  (If you're in a M.W.F. class, then it's due Friday.)  Note that it is due before or at the beginning of class. You may not do it during class. If you don't turn it in at the beginning of class, then I cannot accept it.  However, if you aren't in class, then you may turn it in with no penalty the next time you come to class.  (However, please write a note on the top explaining which class days you were absent, so I will know why you are turning it in late.)  If it is otherwise late, then you may turn it in as extra credit for actual time spent on it, and it will count as other extra credit work does.  You also are welcome to drop off homework under my B-136 office door if you want to get it off your hands (or if you have a Draft 1, 2, 3, or 4 that you'd like me to look at as soon as possible).  Remember, though, that I'm often on campus only two or three days a week and only until 4 or 5 pm, so I may not get anything dropped off after 4 pm on a Wed. until the following Monday.)  You also may, if you really badly need to get a paper to me, bring it to my condo in Minneapolis.  Directions are in "Contact Richard."  You're welcome to drop it off by 9 p.m. directly to me (in 410 Groveland), or to drop it off any other time, day or night, to the 24-hour security guard in the next door building (400 Groveland) and ask him or her to write the time (and also ask him to send me a message that I have something from a student in the front office).  If you do give it to the front security office, it also is wise to drop me an email or phone call telling me you have done so, as the front office sometimes forgets to tell me.    I'll allow a little more latitude in accepting homework the first few weeks if you honestly are confused about what is due when, explain why to me, and get it to me as quickly as possible.  [And for hard and fast deadlines, as occur in Week 7 and in the final few weeks of the course, I also allow exceptions for an immediate emergency, like a car wreck driving to my house (which actually happened to one of my students once!).]  Drafts 1, 2, 3, & 4: Draft 1's must be on time, as are other homework papers described above.  However, Draft 2's, 3's, and 4's can be turned in as you can get them to me--though you would be wise to follow the recommended deadlines for them.  However, as we get near the end of the class, there are absolute deadlines for the Draft 4's, and later for the final Draft 3 that you do, as shown in the "Course Packet's" "Schedule of Assignments." FULLY ONLINE COURSE homework:  It's due by midnight on the day specified in the schedule (usually Thursday).  I will, however, take it up to a week late, but no later!  (I'll allow even more latitude in the first few weeks if you honestly are confused about what is due when, explain why to me, and get it to me as quickly as possible.)  Once the Thurs. homework assignment is past this one-week grace period (one week late), it cannot be made up.  However, you may still turn it in for extra credit for the actual time spent on it. Return to top.                  6. IS HOMEWORK DIFFERENT FROM DISCUSSION BOARDS? You bet.  Here's how:   Your weekly papers and readings are homework.  It is always due at the beginning of class on Wednesdays (for Mon.-Wed. day classes or Wed. night classes) or Thursdays (for Tues.-Thurs. day classes or Thurs. night classes).  Homework is entirely different from discussion board (discussion board) messages.  Discussion board messages (also due Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on which day you have class), are class attendance - a classroom activity - not homework.   Homework assignments are explained in the "Writing of Papers" web page.  And discussion-board attendance is explained in the "Attendance" web page and the "D2L" web page. Return to top.                  7. HOW DO I GET FEEDBACK ON MY WRITING?         There are many ways: Read Your Checklists: when you do something wrong on your drafts of papers, I make a check mark on a list of things.  If you've done especially well, I write "good" or "well done" or something similar.  You always get "X's" if you have completed the work sufficiently. Ask Questions in Class: there often are chances in class to ask me general questions. Ask Questions Before/After Class: I try to be available for at least five or ten minutes before or after each class for individual questions. Ask Questions on Each Draft: if you have one or more questions that you'd like answered about your draft of a paper, simply write them at the top of the first page, where I can easily see them.  I'll be glad to try to answer them. Ask Questions While in Groups: we often do some kind of group activity, and during this time, you're welcome to come up to me and ask me questions. Attend a Planned Consultation: I cancel about nine classes so that people can have individual consultations with me more than once, and though they are optional, that is an excellent time to ask me questions about your writing, especially if you bring me a full draft. Visit Me during Office Hours: I have office hours so that people can walk in to see me, and I am sometimes able to see people during non-office-hour times, too, by appointment. Read Comments I Make on Your Papers: I do take the time to write some comments on your papers once I know which drafts will become your graded papers.  I do this after I have graded them, so that you might have a chance to revise them for a better grade.  Visit the Writing Center: this is a great way to get tutoring assistance: we have some of the best trained, most educated, and best paid writing tutors in the entire state, here. Use Internet Tutoring: you also can use the Writing Center by emailing them your drafts.  Turn-around time is two-three days. Return to top.                  8. IF I HAVEN’T BEEN GETTING WEEKLY EMAILS FROM YOU, SHOULD I BE WORRIED? IN-PERSON CLASS: Nope--not if you're coming to class regularly each week and you see me there.  I announce things of importance in class.  However, I do sometimes email important information, so if you're not getting any emails at all from me, you better ask whether I have made a class email list (a list with everyone's email address on it, used for emailing the whole class at the same time) and, if so, whether you are on it. ONLINE-ONLY CLASS: If the course is fully or mostly online--no regular weekly classes at school--then I generally send an email each week, at the very beginning of the week.  If you are not getting these emails, email me right away!  You need to see these emails to track what is going on in the class. Return to top.                  9. HOW SHOULD I ORGANIZE THE SUBTITLES WHEN WRITING MY WEEKLY HOMEWORK? Basics of Subtitles Use a separate sheet for each type of paper (e.g., one sheet for a Journal, another sheet for Study Questions, etc.)  If subtitles are also required, they are usually 1-4 words long, underlined, and placed even with the left margin of your writing: e.g., see the subtitles in this set of answers to the question. Few Subtitles Needed In some of the papers, subtitles are not required--such as when you're writing about the textbook readings when bullet points or paragraphs are, instead, easier and are allowed.  However, if subtitles are required, it is either because that type of paper requires subtitles (in which case you should see the chapter in CollegeWriting.info to see how to do subtitles for that type of paper) OR you are writing one of your Draft 1, 2, 3, or 4 papers, in which case you should look at your "Course Packet" for directions on how to add subtitles to a particular draft.   The only other use of multiple subtitles is when you write the required journal early in the term that describes the ten different sections of this Web site.  In that case, just use the names of the ten sections as they appear in the ten boxes on the home page of this Web site.   Return to top.                  10. WHY DON'T YOU WRITE COMMENTS ON EVERY DRAFT? I do not write extensive comments on every draft I receive because I get 400-600 drafts of papers and other homework in just one course alone--as many as 2000 per semester in all my classes together.  (This does not count virtual discussion-board messages, which amount to another 1500 or so separate messages per semester for all my classes, total.)  In addition, many students don't need comments because they already know what to do, or they read the comments and soon forget them, or they don't care.  If I were to write extensive comments on each draft for every student, I would have much less time for looking at other drafts, and I could allow only a small number of the drafts and options I now offer to students.  I prefer that students ask for more feedback by asking me questions, writing questions on their drafts (see "6" above), and/or coming to see me (or going to the Writing Center) for help.  I also use checklists to save me a lot of time writing typical responses (for example, "place your main argument in your intro") that I used to write by hand, over and over, on people's papers.  In these ways, I can serve more people in many more ways in the time I am given.  Return to top.                  11. ISN'T WRITING KIND OF A WASTE OF TIME FOR SOME OF US? Whoa.  If you were already in your profession, you probably wouldn't ask this.  Multitudes of studies and surveys show (and just anyone in your future profession!) that in the great majority of professionals spend 40-80% of their total work time just on writing.  It may be emails, notes, or group writing, or it may be something more formal.  But it is all writing.  In addition, many instructors at Inver Hills Community College require good writing skills and assign serious papers.  The professors at IHCC support two required writing classes for most students precisely because the great majority of IHCC instructors want their students to be able to write well in IHCC classes.  In addition, those same instructors want students to be able to write well in their future or current professions.  Finally, writing is a strong, obvious, clear form of thinking.  If you learn to write well, you will be able to think more logically and thoughtfully so that you may be a better person, problem solver (at work and in personal situations), and citizen of our country and world. Return to top.                  12. WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO ALL OF THIS ONLINE STUFF? For starters, having online textbooks saves you all kinds of money. Second, if you are taking a section of this course that has online D2L discussion boards, you don't have to take this section.  There are other sections/courses without it.  However, if it's schedule for your class, then it is a very important part of this particular class.  The IHCC course schedule clearly mentions that for this section of comp, you need to be able to handle basic online emailing and Web use, and it also states that 1/3 of our class time will be online, using a discussion board.  I don't expect you to be vastly experienced in these, just able to use a keyboard and a computer and willing to learn.  Besides, most professional jobs (and even many "blue-collar" and "pink-collar" jobs) now require good computer skills, so you'll probably gain quite a bit just by learning to operate the computer.  Remember that you have seven-day-a-week access to me through email and my home phone, and do ask me for help when you need it. Return to top.                  13. WHAT IS "PROPER" BEHAVIOR IN COLLEGE? "Proper" behavior differs slightly from teacher to teacher.  What is common for all college classrooms is that you should be respectful of the instructor and each other, demonstrate a willingness to learn and to listen to competing viewpoints, and consider college an adult environment requiring adult behavior.  In addition, in my classes, I like people to be helpful, kind, creative, and caring toward each other (and to me) because we work together quite a bit.  I also want people to feel they have the right to disagree respectfully with each other: this is a basic, important part of college life.  The right to disagree respectfully--and to speak our opinions in an atmosphere where we know others will respectfully listen to us--is of utmost importance for learning from each other and discovering a variety of viewpoints.  This is what college is about, and what being a citizen of the nation and the world: agreeing to respectfully disagree at times, so that we might learn and grow.  I ask that you do so in a kind, caring, creative, and supportive way with others in our class. All of this means, too, that anger, whining, hurtfulness, spitefulness, and other negative emotions and acts are no more appropriate in college than in a professional workplace; acting on or using such negative behavior in or out of class to instructors, staff, or other students is very inappropriate and prevents a good atmosphere for good intellectual, personal, and academic growth. Partying is a whole additional issue.  There is nothing wrong at all with having a good time, and people in the first year or two of college in particular tend to work hard at having a good time.  This is fine, but in general, it is better to keep partying to the weekends and vacation weeks.  Fifteen credits per semester of college is the equivalent of a full-time, 40-50 hrs./wk. professional job, one in which you are expected to act as responsibly as would any manager or business owner.  It requires alertness, intelligence, and focus.   Excessive tiredness, hangovers, and others aftereffects of partying therefore are inappropriate, as well, which is why it helps to keep partying a weekend- and vacation-only event. Return to top.                  14. CAN I GET A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FOR MY WRITING? You certainly can.  I can give you some individual attention.  Sometimes I am free at the end of a class; you also can come see me anytime during my officially scheduled office hours (if I am not with another student).  If you want, you may schedule a specific time during my office hours to meet with me so that you know for sure that I can meet with you (before any walk-ins).  If you can't see me during my office hours, sometimes I am able to schedule other times to meet with you.  And there is always the telephone (it's okay to call me at my home) and email.  See "Contact Richard." If you would like a lot of attention, you can go to the Writing Center for students.  You can do this in addition to, or instead of, seeing me in my office.  The Writing Center is a place on the second floor of the Library building where several instructors and several "peer tutors" (students with excellent English skills) regularly sit and work with students who need help with papers in any subject.  Tutoring by email through the Writing Center also is available, if you allow several days of turnaround time.  To contact the Writing Center or the Peer Tutoring Center,  click here on IHCC Writing Center.   Return to top.                  15. HOW SHOULD I WRITE MY DRAFTS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 PAPERS? The directions for writing your Drafts 1, 2, 3, and 4 Papers are not on the Web.  Instead, they are in your "Course Packet" which you bought from the bookstore as a required text.  To see the directions, simply look at the Table of Contents on the front of the "Course Packet's" cover and then go to the type of paper you are assigned to do.  The sheet in the "Course Packet" will tell you how to write the paper.  The directions are spelled out clearly on each sheet.  Additional help, directions, and practice will be given during class time.   Return to top.                  16. HOW DO I GET THE HOME PAGE WHEN "www.Richard.Jewell.net" IS DOWN? It is safer to go directly to the course Web site, if possible.  You can do this most easily by bookmarking.  If you have your own computer, you can click on "Bookmarks" (sometimes called "Favorites") when you are at the course Web site, and then add the site.  (Directions about how to bookmark are on this course Web site: on the home page: you may click either there or here on "How To Use This Site.")    However, if you use school computers, they won't keep bookmarks.  So, instead, you can simply write the course home page Web address down and stick it in your billfold for emergencies.  The easy way to get the Web address is to go to the course home page.  Then look for the Web address (it should say "umn.edu" at the end) in one of the little top windows, and write it down; or, you can copy and paste it onto an MS Word blank sheet and print out the sheet.   And if for some reason "Richard.Jewell.net" is not working, you can instead go to an alternative site: www.umn.edu/home/jewel001.. Return to top.                  17. HOW DO I FIND THE "COURSE PACKET"? To see the most recent course packet, simply click here: "Course Packet."  Or click on "Course Packet" in the left-hand column.  Return to top.