English Department Tip Sheet
For English 098, 099, 100, 101, 102
Important English Class Information
You are Required to Read This Information the First Week of Class
Below is a Q and A for students about basic class policies applicable to the above English courses, and generally, most other English courses available on campus.
Q: How do I know what I should be learning this semester?
A: Attached are each course’s entry skills that your instructor expects you to have mastered upon entering the course and exit skills that you should have mastered upon leaving the course.
Q: My friend is taking the same class I’m taking but with another instructor whose assignments are different from those in my class. Why?
A: Even though all instructors of a specific course are teaching students the same exit skills, their methods of helping students attain those skills vary according to each instructor’s personality, experience, philosophy about which skills need to be emphasized, and interest in topics for assigned readings and writings.
Q: I took and passed the AP exam in English to place out of Freshman Composition. Can I skip English 100 and sign up for English 101 or 102?
A: Members of the English Department find that although many students who pass the AP exam do well in English 101 or 102, others do not, especially those who score below a 5. In addition, important facets of good writing are not covered in high school courses or are covered but not learned because of a student’s level of maturity at the time those skills were taught. Also, the writing skills of some very good students diminish when they are not regularly practiced. Finally, be sure to check with the four year school to which you plan to transfer: Several do not accept AP exams in lieu of Freshman Composition.
Q: I do not think the placement test placed me at the correct course level? Can I appeal my placement?
A: Students placed in 098 and 099 may appeal their placement by submitting materials that demonstrate that they have the entrance skills required for the higher level course. For details see the Appeals Committee requirements located outside of Literature & Language 137.
Q: If I pass English 098 or ESL 160, can I challenge the English 099 or ESL 199 prerequisite so I can enroll in English 100?
A: If you pass 098 or 160 and pass a special exam, you can challenge the prerequisite. See information sheets outside of Literature & Language 137.
Q: Should I take literature courses for a grade or CR/NCR?
A: Most universities allow the transfer of six courses taken CR/NCR, so check with the institution to which you intend to transfer. Most universities will not accept courses that are graded CR/NCR in your major, so if you are an English major, do not take any English course CR/NCR, especially if it is required for English majors.
What Should I Do When My Performance Is Poor?
Q: If I am not doing well in my English course, should I drop it and take a lower level skills course?
A: This is entirely your choice. You should review the attached entry and exit skills for 098, 099, 100, 101, and 102 and consider whether you are deficient in the entry skills for the course you are currently taking.
Q: I’m not doing well in my English course, but I want to stay in and do better. What should I do?
A: Do two things: Talk to your instructor and be sure you are clear about your weaknesses. Then consider visiting the Tutorial Center for extra help in these areas.
Q: When I have tutoring help I do well on my papers but when I do not, I do poorly. Why isn’t the tutoring helping my writing?
A: Your tutor may be correcting or editing your paper for you. This is wrong. At best you will learn very little; at worst, you could fail in-class writing assignments or your entire class, even if you do well on papers others helped you with outside of class. A good tutor will explain what you are doing wrong, maybe require you to work on samples until you understand what you are doing wrong, and then watch to see how you make your own editing corrections to your paper.
Q: English is my second language and I passed the appropriate ESL courses to take English classes, but my English instructor says I’m still making too many ESL-type mistakes. Shouldn’t I still be able to learn in this non-ESL English class?
A: If you have passed ESL 199, you can probably succeed in English 100 with hard work. However, you must write relatively error-free English because the class does not address ESL-type mistakes. You must have a strong knowledge of diction and syntax so that you can successfully read the English 100 textbooks, understand the lectures, and make major ESL corrections in your rough drafts. If grammar errors are still affecting your English 100 grades, you have five options: (1) take ESL 165 to learn about advanced grammar, (2) take ESL 090 and 091 which are supplementary grammar courses, (3) enroll in Communications 060 which takes place in the Writing Resource Center in LL 122, (4) transfer to a section of English 100 for non-native speakers (This can only happen with the permission of the instructor, who occasionally grants permission depending on available seats and the time of the semester), (5) take the ESL Placement Test if you have not yet taken ESL classes and follow the advice given. You can still re-enroll in your current level whenever you feel ready.
Q: I took ESL classes in high school and transferred to college prep courses there. Why does my English 098 and 099 teacher suggest that I take the ESL Placement Test?
A: Many students learn a lot in English 098 but continue making the same grammatical errors that create problems in English 100. The ESL grammar problems your teacher has noticed will not be addressed in English 098 or 099, so an ESL grammar or writing class may be the fastest way to prepare yourself for English 100. The ESL Placement Test will help you decide which ESL course to take, but you can always return to the English program at the level indicated by your test if you find the course more helpful.
Q: I am having difficulty reading the material in my English classes. What should I do?
A: Take English 050, which helps all levels of students boost their reading of college material, or take English 005 if you are having great difficulty. Also, consider taking a lower level composition course since all levels of composition courses incorporate some critical reading. Another option is to go to the Resource Center in Literature & Language 122.
Q: I finished but did not do well in my English class. Can I take it over?
A: If you received a D or F, you may take the course over. If you received a C or higher, but did not achieve your personal or academic goals in the course, you may petition the division dean to repeat it. (Pick up petitions in the Records Office.) If a course is repeatable, you need not petition; however both courses will appear on your transcripts. English 098 and 099 may become repeatable in the future.
Check with the Schedule of Classes for the AB repeatability designation after the course number.
Q: I think the problems I am having in class come from the instructor’s unfairness. What can I do?
A: First, have a very specific and objective idea of the unfairness you are experiencing; then have a private conversation with your instructor. Ask questions and be very clear about your instructor’s position concerning the problem you are having. If you cannot work out your differences, then make an appointment with the Literature and Language secretary to see the Dean of the Literature and Language Division.
What Basic Tips Should I Know Before I Write?
Q: How should I format my papers for English courses?
A: Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, use 1” margins on the top, bottom, and sides of your paper and use 12 point font. On the first page block your name, essay notation, date, and instructor’s name in the top left corner. Make two double spaces after the information block and center the tile but never underline it and never put it in bold, quotes, or caps. Make one space again to start your text which is double spaced and never all in caps. On every page space down 1/2” in the top right corner and put your last name and page number (Smith 2).
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Q: When I do research, how should I document my work?
A: You must use the Modern Language Association Style sheet to document your work. A basic rendition of the MLA guidelines prepared by the OCC library is attached.
Q: What exactly is plagiarism and how serious is it?
A: Your instructors may give you guidelines that answer these questions but if they do not, read the following English Departments Plagiarism Guidelines which have been approved by the Dean of Students:
Definition: Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s language, visual material, facts, statistics, and/or ideas as your own. It is a form of stealing and cheating. Plagiarism also includes misquoting or misrepresenting the work of another.
Determination: A student’s paper is considered plagiarized when any one of the following takes place: (a) when the original source is found and the student did not give that source credit for its ideas, (b) when the student repeats parts of another source word for word without using quotation marks or not giving that source credit for its words, (c) when the student claims parts of another’s material as his or her own by keeping the original’s basic syntax and then making minor syntactical and minor word substitutions to disguise the original, (d) when there is a large discrepancy between class writing samples and take-home papers.
This alleged plagiarism will be confirmed by questioning the student writer about the meaning of certain words and concepts in the take-home paper to examine whether the student can give adequate explanations to show an understanding of those words and concepts. The instructor needs to note these discrepancies if future discussions with the Dean of Students are necessary.
Consequences: If any part of a paper is plagiarized, the student will receive an F on the paper. The student will receive an F in the class if any one of the following happens: (a) after being warned, the student continues to plagiarize, (b) the student plagiarizes any part of the research paper required for completion of a course, (c) the student plagiarizes any part of a take-home or in-class paper intended as a final for the course.
Further Appraisal and Appeal: Students who plagiarize after being warned against it or who receive an F grade in the class because of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Students so that the dean can inform the student of further consequences and study the possibility of this student cheating in other classes. If a student is sent to the Dean of Students, the instructor will provide all relevant documentation of plagiarism to the Dean of Students. Students may also appeal an instructor’s claim they plagiarized to the Dean of Students.
Q: I mix up the spellings and meanings of many simple words. How can I stop doing this?
A: Memorize the following differences:
1. accept to take what is offered
except to exclude
2. effect the result
affect to influence
3. already by a certain time
all ready completely prepared
4. capitol the building where an elected body sits
capital the chief city, wealth, money
5. climatic having to do with weather
climactic having to do with a climax
6 complement something that completes
compliment praise
7. could of this is not a correct phrase (also should of, would of)
could have this is the correct phrase (also should have, would have)
8. conscious being aware
conscience moral sensibility
conscientious being responsible
9. elicit ask for
illicit socially unacceptable
10. elude avoid
allude make reference to
11. allusion a reference
illusion a fantasy, deception
12. eminent famous, distinguished
immanent inherent, permanently pervading the universe
imminent about to occur
13. it’s it is
its belongs to it (possessive)
14. irregardless this is not a word
regardless this is the correct word: not paying attention
15. led past tense of lead
lead a metal; part of verb “to lead”
16. lose to leave somewhere
loose not tight
17. moral ethic, principle, idea
morale condition of the human spirit
18. past time gone by
passed past tense of to pass
19. persecute to punish
prosecute to take legal proceedings against
20. personal of one’s own
personnel group of employed people
21. principal chief officer in a school
principle law, idea, ethic
22. rite ceremony
right correct
23. they’re they are
their belonging to them (possessive)
there that place
24. whether even if, while
weather the elements outside
25. whose possessive of who
who’s who is
26. you’re you are
your belonging to you