ENGL 2508

I adored this class. I took it to fulfill my first writing requirement and was worried it would be too difficult for me since it isn’t a typical ENWR. If you like books and placed out of ENWR, I can’t recommend this class enough. In this class, you got graded for sitting around and discussing books, which is pretty much my dream. It’s definitely a lot of reading for each class, but most of the books are genuinely interesting. Professor Olwell was fantastic. She’s extremely knowledgeable and whenever she gives history or describes a book, it’s genuinely interesting. She reminded me immediately of Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek based on her speaking style, which was kind of endearing. This class is tech free and discussion-based; we sat in desks arranged in a circle to discuss books almost every class. The grading is 60% papers, 25% informal writing assignments, and 15% class participation. We wrote two papers instead of three in my class, because Professor Olwell wanted us to edit one of those essays for our final paper which was extremely convenient. She definitely doesn’t hand out As on essays, and while I got an A- on both papers, I don’t believe that was common in the class. She is an expert, so you can’t turn in a badly done essay like you might in another class; it will be nitpicked. The informal writing assignments are 8 paragraphs sent to Professor Olwell before class. Very easy if you put in an ounce of thought, I would just recommend doing it early in the year. If you like books, you’ll love this class. Easily my favorite of the semester.