Gord's Classes https://classes.gordsellar.com Resources, homework, announcements, and more! Welcome, all my students! Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:03:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Academic English III Midterm Exam Topics https://classes.gordsellar.com/2020/10/20/academic-english-iii-midterm-exam-topics/ Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:29:02 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2874 Read Now]]> Here are five topics for you to choose from for your midterm exam paragraph topic. They have been randomly generated. Choose one and use it as your topic for the paragraph you’ll be writing in this exam.

Choose one of these topics and use it as the basis for your Final Exam Paragraph. Remember, you must use one of the five topics that appeared the first time you visited this page. Your visit to this page must be captured in your Final Exam Video

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Academic English IV Midterm Exam Topics https://classes.gordsellar.com/2020/10/20/academic-english-iv-midterm-exam-topics/ Mon, 19 Oct 2020 18:16:17 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2867 Read Now]]> Here are four topics for you to choose from for your exam paragraph topic. They have been randomly generated. Choose one and use it as your topic for the paragraph you’ll be writing in this exam.

Choose one of these topics and use it as the basis for your Midterm Exam Paragraph. Remember, you must use one of the five topics that appeared the first time you visited this page. Your visit to this page must be captured in your Midterm Exam Video

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Academic English IV Final Exam Topics https://classes.gordsellar.com/2020/06/20/academic-english-iv-final-exam-topics/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 19:15:19 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2869 Read Now]]> Here are five topics for you to choose from for your final exam paragraph topic. They have been randomly generated.

Each topic is related to one or more possible problems. These problems may be real or imaginary. If the topic you choose relates to more than one problem, please narrow the focus to a single problem. 

Choose one topic from the list below and use it as your topic for the Opinion Paragraph you’ll be writing in this exam. Your Opinion Paragraph should suggest a solution for your chose problem. 

Remember, you must use one of the five topics that appeared the first time you visited this page. Your visit to this page must be captured in your Final Exam Video

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Academic English III Final Exam Topics https://classes.gordsellar.com/2020/06/20/academic-english-iii-final-exam-topics/ Fri, 19 Jun 2020 18:55:48 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2858 Read Now]]> Here are five topics for you to choose from for your final exam paragraph topic. They have been randomly generated. Choose one and use it as your topic for the paragraph you’ll be writing in this exam.

Choose one of these topics and use it as the basis for your Final Exam Paragraph. Remember, you must use one of the five topics that appeared the first time you visited this page. Your visit to this page must be captured in your Final Exam Video

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All Grades Are Now Final https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/22/all-grades-are-now-final/ Fri, 22 Jan 2016 08:21:35 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2760 Read Now]]> Hi everyone,

Just a last update: all grades for the Winter 2016 Semester courses are now final. I only received one inquiry, and that grade was not changed (since there was no error in the grades).

I’m just announcing this for those who were a little worried about their grades. I hope you have an excellent winter break, and one last time, thanks for making my Winter Semester enjoyable and rewarding to teach.

Gord Sellar

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Reminder https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/21/reminder/ Thu, 21 Jan 2016 08:18:41 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2757 Read Now]]> Hi everyone,

This is just a reminder: the grades should be “live” on the Korea University Portal system. Please check your grade as soon as possible.

You should do it as soon as possible because in less than 24 hours, the grades will be permanently locked, and it will be almost impossible for anything to get changed. Therefore, if you think there’s an error, please let me know right away. (See my last email for tips on how to politely inquire about possible grade errors.)

Note: I’m 99.99999% sure there are no errors, as I’ve double-checked the results. But I’m letting you know because the grade inquiry period is so very short for Winter semester. (It ends on Friday 22 January, at 12:00 noon—tomorrow at lunch time, in other words—and I’m busy with our baby so it takes me a little longer to get anything done. Your best bet, if you’re going to make an inquiry, is to send it to me by this evening, or, at the very latest, by midnight tonight.

Also, as I mentioned, the grading curve is in effect for our class—and the grading curve was completely filled, meaning I couldn’t give any more A/A+ grades even if more students had earned them… so I’m hoping the high grades were a happy surprise for many of you, and again, I’d like to thank you for being a great class. (And yes, even many of the people who didn’t get A/A+ were great students. Thank you everyone.)

Anyway, I hope you’re enjoying your freedom from classes. Have a great 2016 if I don’t see you again!

Sincerely,

Prof. Sellar

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Grades Entered https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/20/day-15/ Wed, 20 Jan 2016 08:14:45 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2755 Read Now]]> Hi there!

Well, I’ve finished calculating all the grades for our course, and they’re entered into the Korea University computer system. I don’t know when they become visible to students, but I do know that the grade inquiry period begins tomorrow, so I imagine you’ll be able to check your final grade by then, if not sooner.

A couple of things to note about grades, and inquiries:

1. All courses at Korea University taught in English are subject to relative evaluation. That means grades must follow the grading curve. Usually, I don’t need to worry about that, but in the case of this class, there were so many good students that the grading curve is maxed out. That means I’ve given the maximum number of A/A+ and B/B+ grades for the class.

(Nice work! That almost never happens!)

2. Please note, the grade you have received is not absolutely final. Students are still able to inquire and point out any mistake they think was made. While I can say I’ve double-checked everything, I am only human, and mistakes do happen. Because the grading curve is full, if one student’s grade goes up, another student’s grade may have to go down. Don’t panic, that’s not likely to happen, since I was very careful in my calculations and double-checked everything.

However, if you believe I’ve made a mistake, you should please contact me immediately. The official inquiry period is until 12:00 noon (lunchtime) on Friday (22 January), and I cannot change grades after that. (Or, rather, adjusting a grade after Friday will require a ridiculous amount of paperwork and hassle, so I’m not going to do it unless I’ve made a serious mistake. In other words, if you think there’s a problem with your grade, you need to contact me immediately.)

3. Please remember that your grade already includes my generosity. If you scored a point or less shorter of a higher letter grade, I usually give you the letter grade if I can. I prefer generosity when it is possible. Therefore please do not ask me for a higher grade just because you want (or feel that you “need”) one. Do not ask me to be generous: I already have been. The grade you received includes my generosity, and my generosity—like anyone’s—has limits.

4. Please remember that your grade is, in effect, the sum of all the work you did in this class. Aside from (literally) a mere 2% of subjective difference in terms of participation marks, everything is an objective measure of your performance in your homework, exams, the number of posts you made on the course blog, and so on. Your grade is only partly a reflection of the quality of your work, in fact: in large part, as long as you did all the work, you should have received at least a B. I have designed the course that way on purpose. To get an A, you need to excel in multiple areas, and to excel more than others in those multiple areas.

5. My policy is never to change grades unless I’ve made a mistake. I’m pretty sure I haven’t, but you have the right to ask me to check, and as a professional, I will check. However, you should know what grade you received on all your homework submitted to me, and on your midterm, and you know how many blog posts you did. The only real mystery is your final exam grade, which is worth 10% of your mark. In other words, nobody should be too surprised by his or her final mark.

6. If you are considering inquiring with me about your grade, please first read the following:

  • How Grades Work in my Classes (So you understand how grading actually works. I explained this at the beginning of semester, but it’s good to remind yourself.)
  • Emailing Your Professors (How to send a polite, professional email to a professor in English. I expect you to use this format if you email me.)
  • Homework and Responsibility (About taking responsibility for your course work and the deadlines that are part of a course.)

7. Please also remember I spend a LOT of time on your grades, and ensuring they are accurate and fair. And finally, please also remember that our class was very competitive, with many great students.

Alright, that’s all I have to say. Thanks for an excellent Winter Semester, and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break!

Sincerely,

Prof. Sellar

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Day 14 https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/12/day-14/ Tue, 12 Jan 2016 08:12:20 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2753 Read Now]]> Hi everyone,

We’re almost finished with the class! Today we reviewed the difference between Fact and Opinion, and how to tell them apart. You worked with a partner to create some supporting arguments for an opinion that is the opposite of your real opinion (based on a subject from the paper you got from another student).

Here’s an explanation of the homework and our plans for the rest of the course:

TEXTBOOK HOMEWORK:

  • Read Topic Sentences for Opinion Paragraphs on page 189: it’s pretty simple, and just about good and bad topic sentences.
  • Complete Activities 4 & 5 on page 190, which are practice in recognizing good topic sentences and putting supporting sentences in the right order in a paragraph.
  • Read the Grammar for Writing material on Recognizing Word Forms and Common Suffixes on page 192, but please don’t memorize it. Just pay attention to the suffixes and see how many you recognize.
  • Complete Activities 7 & 8 on page 193, and Activities 9 & 10 on page 194-95.

That’s your last textbook homework for this class! Congratulations!

PARAGRAPH BLOG HOMEWORK:

Remember that exercise we did where you and your partner developed three supporting arguments for an opinion opposite your real opinion? You should use those supporting arguments to write a paragraph supporting the opinion opposite your real opinion. Make sure you include a refutation of a popular supporting argument for your real opinion. (Review page 186-187 for more on refutations, and some goiod examples of how to write them.)

GROUP PARAGRAPH ASSIGNMENT:

Don’t forget, your group Process Paragraph assignment (about how to do a specific impossible thing) is due on Thursday, at the beginning of the exam. It should be typed, using the template I uploaded earlier, and should have the names of all students who helped write it at the top of the page.

PLANS FOR WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY:

Tomorrow (on Wednesday, 13 January), we’ll review Choosing a Topic for an Opinion Paragraph.

On Thursday, 14 January, you will start class by handing in your group paragraph (the Process Paragraph explaining how to do an impossible thing) and then you will write your final exam. Like the midterm, the final exam will have two parts: Part 1 will be closed-book, and Part 2 will be open-book. You will have two (2) hours to complete the exam.

See you tomorrow!

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Day 13 https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/11/day-13/ Mon, 11 Jan 2016 08:08:59 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2751 Read Now]]> Hi everyone!

Sorry for the late update: I usually post an announcement after class, but I had a LONG visit from a couple of students who waned to discuss their midterm exams, and then I had to get home and help with the baby. I’m posting this the first chance I got…


Today was the last Monday for the Winter semester. We have only three more afternoons together. I’m sure you’re happy, but let’s try stay on task for the week.

In class today, we did a small peer editing/feedback session, and I returned the paragraph portion of your midterm exam, as well as giving you your last Paragraph assignment. (See below for more about that.) We also discussed opinions and how to write about them, and looked at pages 182-83 in the textbook.

There were two kinds of homework I gave you today:

1. Textbook Homework (to be completed for Tuesday, 12 January 2016)

I only gave a little textbook homework:

  • Reread Example Paragraph 66 (page 182-83) and look for any material you can use in your own Opinion Paragraphs.
  • Study Opinion Paragraph 3 and answer the questions (from the bottom of page 185-top of page 187).
  • Read the Writer’s Note on page 187, and note how in both ExampleParagraph 3, and in the example paragraph at the end of the Writer’s Note, the counterargument and refutation are located in different parts of the paragraph. (One has it near the beginning of the body, with the first “argument.” The other contains the counterargument and refutation near the end, with the last argument.)
  • Study both paragraphs (on pages 186-87) for any phrases, expressions, tags, or structurs you can use in your own Opinion Paragraphs.
  • Read about Facts & Opinions on page 188 and complete Activities 2 & 3 (on pages 188-89).

This homework should be done before the beginning of class on Tuesday, 12 January.

2. Group Writing Project (to hand in one copy on the day of our Final Exam, on Thursday 14 January 2016)

You were assigned a group and chose a topic. The topics were suggested by students, and are all “impossible” or “imaginary” things. For that topic, your group must write a Process Paragraph explainig how to do something related to the topic. You need to be creative in your approach to the process, and don’t just copy some movie or TV show. For example, don’t use films like these as your model:

Instead of copying those (and believe me, I’ve seen plenty of movies on all the topics chosen by our class’s groups), make sure you create your own interesting and unusual idea!

For example, if your topic was “ghosts” then you could write a paragraph explaining any of the following processes:

  • How to enslave a ghost to work for you.
  • How to use magic to see the ghosts that are all around us.
  • How to catch and eat a ghost, in order to lengthen your own lifespan by five years.
  • How to ensure you will be a ghost when you die, instead of simply disappearing completely from existence.
  • How to check whether there are ghosts in an apartment before you move in.
  • How to safely and correctly summon the ghosts of people you love who have died, so you can talk with them.

Any of those ideas are unique and unusual. Of course, they’re all impossible, since ghosts don’t exist, but the good news is that you can therefore make up whatever process you want. Use your imagination and have fun with it.

Please review Chapter 7 for examples of Process Paragraphs. Remember: great writers steal! Find whatever you can that is useful. Also, remember: I strongly recommend that you work together in person to make your paragraph as good as possible. There’s something special about working together in the same room that is much better for collaborative writing than emailing a draft back and forth, or chatting online, or any other way of doing it.

In any case, you must hand in the group paragraph at the beginning of the exam. I will ask the first person to finish the exam to go make copies of your paragraphs so that they can be returned you you when you complete you exam.

Note: make sure that the name of every participating group member is on the top of the page, where the Student Name goes. This is important for two reasons: so I can give everyone a copy, and so that I know who participated. If a group member does not participate or contribute at all to the project, his or her name should not be included on the page. (But please let me know if you’ve left someone out, so I’m aware of the situation.)

3. Don’t Forget!

One last thing: don’t forget that the Descriptive Paragraph that you peer edited today (Monday, 11 January) should be edited and handed in (using the template I uploaded last week) at the beginning of tomorrow’s class. (On Tuesday, 12 January.)

They must be handed in at the beginning of class or they will be considered late submissions. (And suffer a grade penalty.)

See you tomorrow!

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Day 12 https://classes.gordsellar.com/2016/01/07/day-12/ Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:06:50 +0000 http://classes.gordsellar.com/?p=2747 Read Now]]> Hi everyone,

Today, we discussed most of the important points in Unit 7—about Process Paragraphs—on Thursday, and I assigned the following for homework:

  • Page 142-43 (Process Paragraph 53).
  • Refresh your memory about sequence words & chronological order “tags”: see the note on page 145.
  • Complete Activity 2 on page 146, and Activity 5 on page 148.
  • Finally, finish off with Activities 7 & 8 on pages 150-151.

That’s it!

Next week, we’ll do a writing exercise (involving Process Paragraphs) on Monday and I’ll return your Paragraphs from the midterm exam. We’ll also start work on Opinion Paragraphs (Unit 9), which will be the last Unit we’ll complete for the course. Opinion Paragraphs are tricky, so we’ll spend some time on getting them right.

We’re almost finished, so hang in there and try to keep your attendance solid. Remember, anyone who misses more than four classes without an excused absence (doctor’s note, photo in the newspaper saving Jochiwon from alien attack, etc.) won’t be able to pass the course! We only have four classes left, so hang in there!

And sorry again for the late update.

See you Monday!

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