Dianostic writing

hricikm@westmoreland.edu

My other e-mail is:

michaeljh@zoominternet.net

The telephone is also useful for communication, especially if you need an answer that day. Again, my office number is (724) 925-4275 or 1-800-262-2103 (ext 4275).

My cell phone number is (724) 757-9296

Please let me emphasize this point to you fully. I teach all writing courses, so I am busy during the semester. However, my number one priority is this class. I always put the work for this class first, since you count on getting it back to progress in the course. With this in mind, I want you to phone or e-mail me as often as you need.

I am at home most evenings and every weekend. I am always at home on weekends working on papers for classes and doing other work. You will hear from me often, and I always am interested in hearing from you. I will get to know you very well during the semester. I want to hear from you. I appreciate your questions and feedback.

HOW I WILL COMMUNICATE WITH YOU

I will communicate as much as possible through e-mail. At times, I may have to call you at home, though I will only do this when needed. I will only call you at work only if absolutely necessary, or if you indicate that you would like me to call you there to answer a question more quickly.

Of course, in this class you will do Discussion Board Posting periodically, so you will get to communicate with one another.

HOW TO SEND PAPERS AND ASSIGNMENTS TO ME

There are several possible ways for you to send assignments to me, especially essays.

1. Word documents are fine for sending work. However, you need to save your documents in the Rich Text Format (RTF) so that I can open them, if you are using other software than Microsoft Word. Just follow these directions. When you are ready to save your document, go to:

File

Save As

Save your document in

Rich Text format.

Please be aware that for the Written Instructions you are going to write and the Consumer Report, send me those as a Word document. In Rich Text Format, they consume too much space and will not be able to be sent through your e-mail. Please keep that in mind.

Just send me your assignments through e-mail using attachments. In that way you get to also practice sending e-mail also with your attachments. For Assignment Two on writing effective e-mail, you can send me that as an attachment or write the effective e-mail right in a regular e-mail. It is your choice.

Be sure to use a descriptive subject line to your e-mail like:

Stacy Edwards ENG 162-WA Customer Service Evaluation

You will send me a short e-mail message telling me about what you are sending, then you can attach your file to that message. I use an e-mail program, and there is an icon for an attachment right on it. If you aren’t sure how to do this, call your Internet company.

2. If you live near Youngwood, you can always put papers in my mailbox, on my door in Founders Hall 403. My mailbox is at the bottom of the door.

3. You can mail me your work at:

Michael Hricik

English/Social Sciences Division

Westmoreland County Community College

145 Pavilion Lane

Youngwood, Pa. 15697

ABOUT ME

My name is Michael Hricik (pronounced Ritz Sick). I have taught full-time at WCCC since 1992. I am a Professor of English, and I typically teach writing courses: Intermediate Writing, College Writing, Technical Communication, Police Report Writing, Advanced Composition, and Creative Writing.

I did my undergraduate work at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, which is in eastern Pennsylvania. It is a great town and I enjoyed my time there. My major was Business/Marketing, though I took many English courses and I always enjoyed these classes.

From 1983-1987, I was in the Navy four years on the aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego (I was an administrative assistant, so I had to write numerous reports and other documents). Even though I didn’t always enjoy the rigors of military life, I learned a great deal on the Kitty Hawk about business correspondence, which helps me today. I also learned to type and that is ever so helpful. I don’t have to rely on someone else to do my work.

I then attended San Diego State University, and I received an M.A. degree in Rhetoric/Teaching of Writing in 1990. In my opinion, San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I completed a Masters in Professional Writing at Chatham University in April 2010.

I have just finished my first year at Robert Morris University for a doctorate in Instructional Management and Leadership.

From 1990-1992, I taught part-time at WCCC, CCAC, and California University of Pennsylvania. While at CUP a student in my writing class won a university writing award. At WCCC, three of my students were runner-up award winners in the Townsend Press essay competition entitled “Taking Charge of My Life.” I am always happy when my students do well or achieve success.

In August 1992, I was hired full-time at WCCC. I am from this area, so I was delighted when I came back and was able to get a position at the college.

INFORMATION SHEET ON YOURSELF

I would like to get an information sheet on you. Make sure to include the following information:

1. Your name

2. Address

3. Phone number at work and at home. Cell phone, if you have one.

4. e-mail address (if you have another one at work, also include that)

5. Type of work you do now and what your future plans are in five years

6. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, what number would you give your writing right now and why?

7. What three types of writing have you done in the last year? Can be things like e-mail, letters, projects at work, poetry, writing for school, etc. Anything at all can be given.

8. What is your main strength in writing?

9. What are two areas about your writing that you would like to improve?

10. Are you a better speaker or writer, and why?

Assignment #1 Diagnostic Writing due Friday, May 25th

Make sure to take a look at page three of the syllabus on how your name and other information should look on your assignments and papers. If a title isn’t needed with some assignments, then there is no need to include one. Multiple page documents will have your last name and page number in the upper right corner. This is critical, in case one of your papers becomes unstapled.

1. You are to write two-three double-spaced typed page, 750-1250 words, telling me about yourself. On this page, I would like you to write about how two or three of your close friends, family members, or co-workers would describe you as a person. What type of main traits or characteristics would they say that you have? How would they describe your personality?

2. Just get some information from them on what they think about you. I would like you to use at least a few quotes from them if possible. You can even ask them if you want, though I’m sure that you have a good idea what they think about you. If possible, try to use three or four paragraphs with each interview.

3. Make sure to add an introductory paragraph with the following information:

· State the first and last name of each person you have interviewed. If you have interviewed a parent, just don’t refer to them as your mother or father--state their name. Give the names of the two or three people you have interviewed.

· State why you chose each person. If you have been friends or co-workers for some time, state about how many years you have known each other. Don’t just state we have known each other since we were little.

· Give an overall overview of what the people you interviewed had to say.

4. I am not interested in what you think of yourself, but I would like you to talk with two other people you know well and ask them what they think of you as a person. You need to state what each person said, then indicate if you agree or disagree with them.

I would like you to try to comment at the end of each paragraph if you can. You could also comment at the end of each section after you are done with an interview. I want you to use at least two quotes (or more) for each interview. I want you to practice introducing quotes and people say about you. Use at least two paragraphs for each interview.

5. This assignment is not about you just writing about yourself from your perspective. I want to know what several people think of you and if you agree or disagree.

This first assignment is due on or before Friday, May 26th at midnight. All papers must be typed. Use a 12-point font and 1 inch margins.

Assignment #2

This is also due for Friday, May 25th at midnight.