<p>So I failed the first three papers as well as the midterm in my expos class. </p>
<p>I was wondering if it was possible to drop the class and re-take it next semester, or fail it and take it next semester. Would it still show up on my transcript / count towards my GPA? </p>
<p>I am in a class of 20 and the last 3 papers, 14/20 received failing grades, and I am feeling that the teacher is making the class harder than it is. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Is the teacher new? Maybe he/she is grading too harshly if that many people are failing. You have to be able to write decently in order to be placed into Expos so it’s not a question of being unable.</p>
<p>I would definitely speak to the teacher, now. Ask what your best course of action is. You have two papers to go and they do base your final grade on the two highest sustained grades so I think it is still possible to pass. (btw even if you fail the midterm I think you can still pass, if you pass the final).</p>
<p>Is it too late to get a tutor? My son took Expos last year and the teacher was pretty clear in what he was asking for. The first draft comes back with suggested revisions. You must make these revisions, and sometimes that may involve reworking the whole paper. It really does take time and effort, and re-reading the essays involved several times, not once.</p>
<p>I really can’t see a teacher failing half the class as that would reflect poorly on him or her. Go to office hours and talk to your teacher.</p>
<p>Worth watching: <a href=“http://www.rutgers.edu/about-rutgers/expos-5-reflect[/url]”>http://www.rutgers.edu/about-rutgers/expos-5-reflect</a></p>
<p>ps what I am trying to say is don’t give up yet; you can still pass. You don’t really want to take this class again, do you? :O</p>
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<p>That’s really odd, as rualum said she could be a new teacher. I would visit her office hours and bring up that she is being pretty harsh, and ask what you can do to improve. If others in your class agree with you, then you can all talk to her together. I’d utilize office hours when you need help with your paper, or need further clarification about what your teacher wants. Sometimes the teacher can be really vague in the comments, and office hours helped me clear up some confusions. </p>
<p>I also second that you get tutoring. I don’t think it’s too late, they split the tutoring in half-- beginning half of the semester and the end. Normally, you would get tutoring for both halves, but I’m positive you can enter tutoring for the second half. Again, I would ask your teacher about this since she knows the details.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Well the question is not passing or not, I’m sure I could pass with a C at least, but I would rather have a chance at getting an A/B+ with a teacher that grades more fairly. She told the class that no students in her previous semester class received A’s as a final grade. </p>
<p>I would rather re-take the class next semester and try to place into a more fair teacher if it wouldn’t show up as a NP on my transcript. So far I am getting A’s in all my other classes and to get a C on expository writing, I feel would affect my GPA by a lot…</p>
<p>Anyone know about dropping/withdraw/failing a class and retaking it? And how it works with your GPA?</p>
<p>Thanks guys.</p>
<p>Here is a page from the writing center website about grading.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://wp.rutgers.edu/courses/grades]Grades[/url”>http://wp.rutgers.edu/courses/grades]Grades[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I don’t like the fact that she said she did not give out any A’s at all last semester, but I know that the final folder review is done with another person who should advocate for the student if she is not grading correctly. They do follow a rubric so the grades shouldn’t be purely subjective.</p>
<p>I also agree that teachers can be vague, and in Expos, that could really hurt you. You need to speak directly to the teacher during office hours.</p>
<p>unfortunately the last day to withdraw from a class with a W was yesterday…if you didn’t know that/didn’t get a chance to do that the best you can do is go to office hours with your prof and talk to them…i’ve gone to a few office hours and when they see that you care they’ll help you and improve your grade and chances are no one else is going to office hours so it’ll mean a lot</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, who is your professor? I have to take it next semester and would like to know so I can steer clear if possible</p>
<p>Mr. Cerps-</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about your professor. I really think that the writing department wants you to succeed in this course. They offer a lot of support via tutors, and there are also online tutorials if you google the writing department. Also watch “The Expos Five” which gives a good overview of student experience. </p>
<p>Here is the thing with Expos: they are teaching you to write in a certain way. It is probably very different from what you were used to in high school. You need to listen to the teacher and follow the directions they give you. Yes, it is formulaic. Yes, it seems to strip away creativity at times, but…it teaches you the basics of how to write a decent college paper.</p>
<p>The biggest problem is trying to write on your own terms. Just don’t do it. Listen to the teacher, they should give you hints about what you should write. Read the selection BEFORE class. Take notes. Highlight quotes throughout the selection that interest you or seem to have meaning. Pay attention to the discussion in class. The teacher will give you hints!</p>
<p>When the teacher provides the question you will write about, look for quotes you have noted that might fit in. Think about how you can use these quotes to make your point. </p>
<p>Start your paper EARLY. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE. </p>
<p>If you encounter difficulties, GO TO OFFICE HOURS. Not many people make that effort so if you do, you stand out, and you will get help.</p>
<p>They will give you a general formula about how to write: follow this formula, even though it may feel clunky at first. The teacher will make comments on your first draft. PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMMENTS AND REVISE AS NEEDED.</p>
<p>WRITE THE FULL AMOUNT OF PAGES ASKED FOR. If you get an unexpected grade (ie you followed the revision suggestions and still got a ‘bad’ grade) go to office hours to discuss.</p>
<p>This class is a pain, no doubt about it, but they want you to learn how to write a paper using the evidence you have at hand. If you learn the material in this course, you will find that future papers are easy. 3 page paper? EASY! 4-5 page paper? EASY! Expos tortures you so much that when someone asks for a 2-3 page paper, you won’t even blink. </p>
<p>I don’t think teachers say they ‘don’t give out A’s’ to torment you. I think they say it because they tell students what to do, and the students refuse to do it. Read the material. Start your paper early. Listen to suggestions. Revise. Revise. Revise. </p>
<p>It should work out for you. If you do all that, at least a B, and you will become a better writer in the process.</p>