PB1A

As a college student the first thing you receive from a teacher or professor is most likely the syllabus for the class. Aimed at all incoming college student enrolled in the course, the syllabus gives you information that everyone should know for the first day of class as well as the rest of the quarter/semester. Most professors give a syllabus to answer any question they may have about the course such as dates of exams, grade scales/percentages, rules and expectations of course, and contact information among many other things. Most of the time, professors will email the syllabus before class in order for enrolled students to go over it, then while in the lecture hall or classroom, the professor will give their own presentation on the syllabus in front of all the students. Generally, in order to provide the most amount of information in the least amount of space, professors will likely write their syllabus in a technical yet professional style, leaving out most colloquial terms and phrases. The tone of a professors writing in a syllabus is usually formal and welcoming while at the same time being strict and direct. The convection of a syllabus are as follows; class information at top including the name, dates and times, as well as the quarter and year. Instructor information consisting of professors’ name, office hours and location, as well as phone or email information. Teaching assistants’ information is generally next (if applicable) followed by a general class overview which in terms summarizes the purpose of the course. Grade information usually consist of how grades will be weighted as well as an explanation of a curve if there is any for plus and minus grades. Required materials are always listed somewhere on the syllabus along with a class timeline laying out a reading and homework schedule, exam and quiz dates, as well as holiday breaks if there are any. Lastly, at the end of the syllabus there is usually a warning about cheating and plagiarism as well as the attendance policy if any.