Up to 5 points on your first version and your revision. You can get extra credit on any major writing assignment—essays, summary/response, research assignments, technical writing documents, cover letters—by visiting one of the college's writing centers.
Writing Center locations and hours — call ahead to confirm hours in case they've changed or haven't been updated online.
- You must go to the Writing Center at least one day before the assignment due date.
- You must submit proof of your Writing Center visit—a stamped/signed draft, screenshot, or equivalent. How you submit it depends on the assignment:
- Assignments turned in on Blackboard: upload your proof image directly to that Blackboard assignment. Just attach the image along with your essay—no separate submission needed.
- Prewritings or handwritten assignments: bring or attach your proof with that assignment when you turn it in.
- Other campuses may have different stamping/sign-off processes, but either way you must submit something showing the date, time, and that the visit happened.
- If you attend online:
- Use your microphone and talk with the tutor.
- As verification, include a screenshot from Blackboard Collaborate/Class for Web that shows your work on the screen along with you and the tutor in the chat panel.
- How to take a screenshot on any device
- To access the chat panel: go to the bottom right corner of your screen and click the purple button with two arrows to open the "Collaborate Panel," then click the chat bubble icon.
- To share your essay: in the Collaborate Panel, select the square with an arrow pointing up and to the right, then select "Share Files" and choose your essay. It will appear on the main screen.
- You must use the advice given—at least the grammar advice—unless you have a compelling reason not to. With stylistic advice, remember you have more knowledge of my expectations, so make your decisions carefully. If you blow off good advice, you will not get credit.
- First assignment bonus: If you go to the Writing Center with your very first writing assignment, you can receive up to 10 points for that first visit on the rough draft.
Attending EPCC-sponsored events earns extra credit and connects you to your campus community. You can do this up to 3 times per semester, and I will replace up to 3 zeros in the coursework section.
- Attend an EPCC-sponsored event.
- Take a picture of the announcement or poster for the event.
- Take a selfie of yourself while you're there.
- Take notes. If it's a play or something where note-taking isn't appropriate, jot down your thoughts as soon as you can afterward.
- Write a well-developed paragraph or two about your experience—describe it, discuss what you learned, and share what you thought. If there's a chance to ask a question and you have one, do it and include the question and answer in your write-up.
- Fill out the survey and upload your images through this link
- The class you're taking with me: number, days, and start time (e.g., 1301, MW, 11am)
- Name of the event
- Date of the event
- A well-developed paragraph or two about your experience—proofread and spellcheck. It's courteous. (And it's points.)
- Pictures, files, etc. to support your attendance: the college announcement, a selfie at the event, images of your notes, etc.
Service Learning counts as 3 extra 150-point coursework grades—that's a significant boost. More importantly, it helps you engage with your community and develop real-world experiences, skills, and abilities that will serve you as you move into your professional life.
Work with the Service Learning Office and the representative at our campus. Applications must be turned in by:
- 16-week semester: two weeks after the semester begins
- 1st Minimester: one week after class begins
- 2nd Minimester: one week after class begins
- Let me know you want to do this.
- Contact the Service Learning Office and complete your paperwork.
- Meet with me to share your placement details and schedule check-ins throughout the semester so we can talk about your experience and work on your presentation and resume.
- Once your service is complete:
- Develop a 5–10 minute presentation to share with the class during the last few weeks of the semester.
- Update your resume to reflect this experience.
- Upload your documents through the Extra Credit/Service Learning Survey, including:
- The Service Learning Student Reflective Questionnaire
- A copy of your presentation
- Your resume
- Any other notes, images, or materials that document your experience
5 points on your lowest coursework grade, up to 3 times per semester.
To encourage you to give back to your community, I'll add 5 extra credit points to your lowest coursework grade when you donate to a nonprofit. You can take advantage of this up to 3 times during the semester. You can donate blood, your time, or other things.
Here are some local nonprofits—but there are plenty of others:
- Vitalant—they visit the college each semester, so it's a convenient way to help save up to 3 lives and get some extra credit.
- Humane Society of El Paso: Check out "Ways to Give"
- Center Against Sexual and Family Violence: Check out items they need
- El Pasoans Fighting Hunger
- Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center
- Advocacy Center for the Children of El Paso
- Habitat for Humanity
- PFLAG
- Annunciation House
- Where do you volunteer or donate? Talk to me about it!
- Check your college email—there are other opportunities to volunteer and give back throughout the semester.
I may also add a few extra credit points to work that well exceeds expectations.