Class Materials for December 11-16, 2025 (UPDATED!)

UPDATE: In addition to the things below, here are notes about the Grinch.

For the Christmas Class, students are encouraged to bring Christmas cheer in the form of homemade (or storebought, I'm not picky) Chistmas treats!

For these classes, you'll need....

These lyrics (12 days).

Some notes about said 12 days.

This script, concerning a larcenous Grinch.

See y'all in class

Class Schedule for December 04-09, 2025

This week we will be continuing with General Interest Presentations!

See y'all in class!

Link to presentation schedule

The link to the presentation schedule can be found below the jump (click where it says 'czytaj więcej').

If you want to reserve a date, then send me an email (or message on teams).

Class Materials for November 27-December 02, 2025

We're finally beginning General Interest Presentations!

You'll need the presentation evaluation forms.

See y'all in class!

Special Office Hours Friday, November 28.

I will have special office hours on Friday, November 28, 2025.

From 12.00-14.00 (times slightly approximate, I have a medical appt in the morning but hopefully won't have any trouble getting to the University by 12.00.

If you need to see me after 14.00 then please let me know by email.

Class Materials for November 20-25, 2025

This week, nothing to download.

I'll be talking about last week's paragraph exercise with samples.

Notes will be available after class.

See y'all in class!

Special Office Hours Wednesday and Friday (November 19, 21, 2025)

I will have special office hours this week on Wednesday (more or less 12.30-15.00) and Friday (more or less 12.00-14.00) for those with outlines.

See y'all then!

Class Materials for November 13-18, 2025

For this week you will need to bring this printed form (two separate sheets).

See y'all in class!

No Class on November 06, 2025

Due to a medical appointment, I will not have class on Thursday, November 06, 2025.

Classes will resume on November 13, 2025.

Have a good Indendepence Day holiday and see y'all on the 13th!

Class Materials for October 30-November 04, 2025

This week you'll need this.

We'll also do more pre-writing exercises.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for October 23-28, 2025.

We will do some beginning writing exercises this week. You should have some paper and something to write with.

Also, everyone should have their topic for their General Interest Presentation. If you do not have a topic then one will be assigned to you during class!

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for October 16-21, 2025

For this week, you'll need three (3) things.

An introduction to the Paragraph in English. (you should have this from last week)

Information on the General Interest Presentation.

In addition, you will probably want some paper and something to write with as well....

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for October 09-14, 2025

 This week, you need two (2) things.

An introduction to Public Speaking.

An introduction to the Paragraph in English.

See y'all in class!

Class Schedule for June 17-18, 2025

First: Chance for credit for extra attendance (see below).

This week is the last chance to make your academic presentations so that you will be allowed into the Final Exam next week.

Tuesday June 17:

This day for students in Group 1 who have still not presented.

Wednesday June 18

This day is for students in Groups 2 and 3 for those who have still not presented.

We will be meeting at 13.15 in 119B* and continue until everyone who shows up with a presentation has finished. Presentations will be a bit faster with minimal questions and key feedback.

Any student from any group who shows up as an audience member on Wednesday gets credit for an extra class!

*If this room is not available I will leave information at 119B about where the class is.

See y'all in class!

Survey for Class Time on Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Okay, the two Wednesday groups have a combined total of 5 (five) students who have to do their academic presentations.

Rather than do two separate groups my plan is to start and keep going until everyone has presented.

The question remains what time is best for this.

So, I've set up a poll.

Here is a link to the poll:

Here it is again:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lMRTV3xXD7RMEEDcht1jHgUWhHLl3-omxBFLi4p-qbU/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0

Write your name under each time that you could present. If there's a time you absolutely cannot then also write that there.

I'll let everybody know what time we'll start on Tuesday (at the latest).

Also, anyone who doesn't present on Wednesday but who is part of the audience will get credit for an extra attendance!

Clases This Week - Tuesday and Wednesday

Okay, for this week we will continue Academic Presentations!

On Tuesday, class as usual.

On Wednesday, we will (finding a room permitting...) have class from 11.30----- until there are no more people to present. I will leave information on the door of 216B about where class is at the moment (there may be a need to move between periods... we'll see).

Remember on this day, people from groups 2 and 3 have priority.

Also, there should be an audience so people will need to stay after their presentation and/or bring friends to be in the audience.

See y'all in class!

Possible make-up class next Wednesday, June 11....

Since we are very far behind in doing academic presentations (not least due to next Wednesday being a Friday...) I've decided to try to have a make up class that day.

Sign up (for anyone in the three groups) who can make it on that day is at the link below.

Feel free to sign up for more than one class if you can.

I'll make the final decision next Monday.

Here's the link.

Here it is again:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lMRTV3xXD7RMEEDcht1jHgUWhHLl3-omxBFLi4p-qbU/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0

Class Materials for June 03-04, 2025

For this week you'll need this - a list of the eight (8) topics the 4 (four) exam prompts will come from.

The rest  of the time we'll do academic presentations!

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for May 27-28, 2025

This week, we continue with academic presentations, as many as possible!

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for May 20-21, 2025

This week we will be doing more academic presentations! Yay!!!

Any time left over will be used in speaking (or writing) torture.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for May 13-14, 2025

This week, we will continue with Academic Presentations. Any group that has no one ready for their presentation will be tortured with speaking exercises.... or worse.

See y'all in class!

Office hours and Class Materials May 06-07, 2025

For this week....

First, note that I have slightly changed the style for your bibliographies (related to online sources). The new version is here.

On Tuesday I will hold special Office Hours from 11.30-16.00. 

Look for me in 216B, if I'm somewhere else I'll leave that information there.

These office hours are primarily for looking at Academic Presentation outlines. Students from any group are very welcome.

On Wednesday, we will begin Academic Presentations with groups 2 and 3.

Remember, for academic presentations the procedure in class is slightly different than for the General Interest Presentation: The changes are meant to make the presentation a bit more like the exam.

The student gives everyone but me a copy of their handout.

The student then leaves the room and waits in the hall.

I come out into the hall and briefly speak to the student then I go back into the room.

The student waits a few seconds, enters, gives me my handout and goes to the front of the room and waits for the cue from me to begin.

The student delivers their presentation (I'll give the time cues as before) then thank the audience and ask for questions.

At some point in the Q&A I will say 'Thank you' and then the student leaves the room (to horrible, horrible silence).

Then I open the door and the student comes back into the room cheers and applause.

See y'all

Class Materials for April 29-30 2025

For this week the Tuesday and Wednesday classes are a bit different.

Tuesday: There will be a writing exercise in class. You will be provided with everything you need!

Wednesday: Instead of normal class I will hold office hours from 11:30-14.45 in 119B and in 216B from 15.00 until no one shows up (probably by 15.30 or so).

The primary purpose is to go over academic outlines, although I'm also happy to go over the writing assignments from last Wednesday (or this Tuesday) with anyone who wants to.

If you bring an outline you should bring it either in paper form or send it to me by email (or have it otherwise available digitally).

My current plan is to also hold extended Office Hours on May 6 (sports day) as well.

I'm hoping to begin academic presentations on May 7 (so there will be pressure....).

See y'all in class or during Office Hours!

Class Materials for April 23, 2025

First,  here is the key to last week's exercises (nb they were different for group 1 and for groups 2-3).

For class this week, everything you need will be provided.

We might do short impromptu speeches as well as some practice for the oral exam (second part).

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for April 15-16, 2025

Everything will be provided during the lesson.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for April 08-09, 2025

Nothing to download this week. I will provide materials during the lesson.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for April 01-02, 2025

For this week, here are the edited paragraphs from last week (all groups).

Paragraphs for this week:

group 1 will be here

group 2 will be here

group 3 will be here

May do some other stuff, too!

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for March 25-26, 2025

This week we will be going over your reaction paragraphs.

In order to give the slowpokes more time, I'll post each group's paragraphs separately the morning of class (by 10.00).

Group one's paragraphs will be here.

Group two's paragraphs will be here.

Group three's paragraphs will be here.

If we have time we will also discuss Academic Presentation Topics.

See y'all in class!

Link to Post your Reaction Paragraph

The link to post your Reaction Paragraph is below the jump (click where it says 'czytaj więcej').

Looking forward to reading your paragraphs!

Class Materials for March 18-19, 2025

For this week, you will need this (about... a lot of stuff, the reaction paragraph, the final exam etc).

We will also discuss academic topics and maybe something else!

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for March 11-12, 2025

Okay, depending on your group, we will be finishing up with General Interest Presentations, discussing Academic Presentation topics and/or doing a short writing exercise.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for March 04-05, 2025

 For this week, you should bring your list of possible academic topics (printed out on paper to give to me).

We will do General Interest Presentations.

Group 1 will have a slightly different class since there will be an early academic presentation. 

For academic presentations the procedure in class is slightly different: The changes are meant to make the presentation a bit more like the exam.

The student gives everyone but me a copy of their handout.

The student then leaves the room and waits in the hall.

I come out into the hall and briefly speak to the student then I go back into the room.

The student waits a few seconds, enters, gives me my handout and goes to the front of the room and waits for the cue from me to begin.

The student delivers their presentation (I'll give the time cues as before) then thank the audience and ask for questions.

At some point in the Q&A I will say 'Thank you' and then the student leaves the room (to horrible, horrible silence).

Then I open the door and the student comes back into the room cheers and applause.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for February 25-26, 2025

 This week we will continue with General Interest Presentations. 

We will also talk a little about Academic Presenation Outlines.

Class Materials for January 28, 2025

Due to a time warp stiking the university, this week there is only class on Tuesday as Wednesday will be Monday (will there ever be a Wednesday again? Only time and a dedicated corps of temporal engineers can say...).

Anyhoo, on Tuesday we will have one (1) presentation and talk about academic presentations and maybe some other stuff.....

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for January 21-22, 2025

This week you will need two (2) things.

The introduction to the Academic Presentation.

And a form for you to propose three (3) potential topics for your Academic Presentation.

We will also continue General Interest presentations.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for January 14-15, 2025

This week, we will continue general interest presentations.

Any leftover time will be spent on short speeches.

See y'all in class!

Class Materials for January 07-08, 2025

After almost four blessed weeks of tranquility and peace.... I'm back!!!!!!!

For this week, we will continue general interest presentations.

Any leftover time will be spent on short speeches.

See y'all in class!