<p>I'll start off by mentioning that like most people at USC, I absolutely hate writing 140. I'm doing the best I can so that's that. I heard earlier from a person though that this class has a curve to it? I really don't know how this works and... how I can possibly attain an A in this class.</p>
<p>Anyone who took this class before know what the guidelines on grades are? Thanks.</p>
<p>when I took 140, my GSI told us that even though the grading criteria is set fairly high, that there's no curve and that each student is evaluated individually according to the rubric. The official word is something along the lines of, there are no "set" numbers of grades, in theory everyone can get an A, and the way they regulate grades to keep things consistent is by group-grading the final portfolios (to even out the "easy" GSIs from the "hard" ones)</p>
<p>of course, grading is always at least somewhat subjective, no matter how you try - don't try convincing them of that, though :)</p>
<p>I am a parent, but I read that there is a Writing Center on the USC campus for students to go to who need help with their papers.</p>
<p>The Writing Center isn't helpful, sadly :(</p>
<p>bump 10 char</p>
<p>
Is that true? That would be very sad indeed.</p>
<p>I thought the writing center was always very helpful!</p>
<p>I would say that the writing center is… only helpful in the beginning stages of your writing where you formulate your ideas and structure. Beyond that… sadly is not that great. Make appointments a couple of days ahead, they fill up really quickly. Or try for an early morning walk-in. </p>
<p>I can’t really comment on the grading guidelines besides that it is not easy to get an A-- definitely doable though. As for how you can get an A, don’t do essays at the last minute and get it revised by as many people as possible (this still may not get you an A)</p>
<p>ALSO choosing the corresponding GE6 classes in a topic you like because your topics are based on themes or whatever from that class. I chose a GE6 class because it covered a diversity requirement. Bad idea… because I was writing about crap I didn’t care about in WRIT-140 class.</p>
<p>I got an A. It wasn’t that difficult. You are graded both on the quality of your writing and how you improve. If you suck starting out and get progressively better, you will get a good grade. If you start out really well and don’t really get better, you’ll also get an A.</p>
<p>Are you saying that you should intentionally hand in bad essays early on?</p>
<p>uscorberkeley, what GE6 class was that? I think Social Problems, Questions of Intimacy, and Language Society and Culture, but that’s just from a couple sentences of their course description. Anyone taken them?</p>
<p>^ DO NOT INTENTIONALLY HAND IN POOR WORK. Are you stupid? Geez.</p>
<p>Writ 140 helps even the best writers improve. I was a writing major, so obviously I wasn’t clueless when it came to Writ 140. I struggled a lot early on in figuring out how to improve essays I had always got As on. But, I met weekly with my teacher and she pointed out ways that I write that weaken my arguments, helped me expand my sentence structures and worked with me to develop stronger topics. In the end, it’s because I sought out her help to improve my already decent skills that I was able to succeed in the class.</p>
<p>As long as you’re open and receptive to improvement, you can get a good grade.</p>
<p>Also, everyone needs to stop worrying about Writ 140. It’s not as bad as you think it is. Unless U TypE LyK dIs N sPELL hrrbLy n HAvE DA voCabulAry of An 8th GradErr<em>~</em>~*~ you’ll do FINE!</p>
<p>Well no need to call me stupid, I just thought that not trying too hard on assignments early on can feign improvement and earn you a good graee. Because honestly, english classes are a game and from what I’ve seen in high school the grading of essays is ridiculous. That’s probably why so many people have a problem with Writ 140 - with so much work spent on an essay, part of your grade is always going to be determined arbitrarily.</p>
<p>I didn’t call you stupid in the sense of “oh, you aren’t intelligent” – let’s be real here.</p>
<p>Here’s another plan: do your best work, get feedback, learn, and improve. Grades will follow appropriate to your level of effort. College is not high school and it is foolish to compare the two.</p>
<p>you can through writing center.</p>