Week 0: Welcome and Course Overview
Week of Mon, Aug 17 · week closes Sun, Aug 23
This week's items
Exact due times are in Canvas. Late out-of-class assignments accepted up to one week past the original due date. In-class process work and Discussion Board assignments cannot be made up.
Know these cold
- EGL 1010 has five major essays plus a holistic process-work score. Meerk's job: help you understand every concept before you write.
- Canvas is the official record for all assignments. Meerk enhances what you learn — it never replaces your Canvas gradebook or Prof. Upchurch's feedback.
- Process work is graded holistically at the end of the semester. Complete every in-class activity thoughtfully; preparation for the final presentation is included in that score.
- A grade of C or better in this course is required to proceed to EGL 1020 Composition II. Plan your drafting schedule around each major due date.
- Prof. Upchurch's AI policy: AI-generated content that is flagged results in a 50% score, and a required in-person or Zoom meeting to demonstrate your understanding of the work.
- All formal essays must be MLA-formatted: 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, indented paragraphs, unique titles. Submit to Canvas via Copyleaks links.
- Late out-of-class assignments are accepted up to one week past the original due date. In-class process work and discussion boards cannot be made up.
- Free tutoring resources: PGCC Writing Center (on-campus) and Brainfuse Online Tutoring (24/7 virtual). Both can help at any stage of drafting, from understanding the assignment to citing sources.
Meerk's quiz — open the Week 0 gate
10 questions, no time limit. 85% on your first attempt in a 24-hour window opens the gate. Retakes inside the window are practice — they help you learn, they don't count. Work alone; the point is to know it, not to have seen it.
Dinner Table Question
Ask at home: What is one thing about your own writing that you want to improve this semester — and why does it matter to you?
En español: ¿Qué aspecto de tu escritura quieres mejorar este semestre y por qué te importa?