Semester Exams, Spring Break, and Research Writing

1. The week of 5-9 March is Mid-term.

2. Spring break (and be advised that in real life there is no spring break) is, according to the Angelina website calendar, from 2:30 P.M. on 9 March until 0800 on 19 March.

3. In English 1301 and 1302 we will have no further outside writing until after spring break. In-class writing, well, that's a dragon of a different hue.

4. Those of you enrolled in my English 1301 class and my English 1302 class must -- must -- take your semester exam either on Monday, 5 March or Wednesday, 7 March at either of my (I am loath to employ the "my" so much, but this applies only to my -- oops -- classes) scheduled classes and a bit before and a bit after, if necessary.  Thus, whether in 1301 or in 1302 you may take your exam on these days and times:

Monday morning, 5 March, ca 0830 until noon, when I disappear as silently as Jeeves.
Monday evening, 5 March, ca 5:00 P.M. until 8:40 P.M., when I do the Jeeves thing again.
Wednesday morning, 7 March, ca 0830 until noon.  Cf. Jeeves, above.

I offer these multiple occasions because I want you to be successful in college and in life.

You must accomplish your semester exam by noon on Wednesday; there will be no re-takes.

I want you to be successful in college and in life, but one test opportunity is enough; three is a giddiness of which a real college professor would sternly disapprove.

Once you have finished your semester exam, you, until the 19th, are as free of English as you wish to be.

5.  Let's talk about research papers (too, too thrilling).  You should have in your notes a list of five or so really good topics from which to choose.  Remember always that your topic must be professional and free of emotional involvement.  We are speaking of professional writing now, not personal, not MySpacy, and the writer is always third-person and detached, defending a thesis without any regard for emotions.  A research paper is about the thesis, not a person, and someone reading your research paper should not be able to determine anything about the writer, only abut the subject.  This will be quite difficult for you since you have grown up in a tear-sodden culture of emotions. 

1302 students, know that expectations for you are somewhat higher than in 1301, and 1301 students, know that expectations are high.  You are preparing yourself to be a young professional, not a young watcher of Jerry Springer.

Most instructors do not want students to make use of previous research; however, I have no objection if you build on your own previous research.  If you imagine, though, that you are going to pass with that nice high school paper your mom loved, you are seriously in error.

Since you will be accomplishing at least some searching over the break (the 'net works fine at both the coin-laundry and at the beach), remember that THE INTERNET LIES.  Simply because an article is on the 'net or in a book doesn't mean it's worth anything; every high school senior who ever wrote "Who is the Third Murderer in Act III of Macbeth?" posted it to the 'net.  Your sources must be professional / academic, and not some pimply kid in Socorro, New Mexico.

Do help each other with notes, discussions, and intelligent conversation.  Be collegial young professionals, not isolated young droolers-on-MePhone-screens.

If any of the above conflicts with Angelina College requirements, AC requirements take precedence, so be open to change.