Attendance: 10%

Role call is taken every week and the average length of lateness throughout the whole semester, including midterm and final, should not exceed 30 minutes. If so, the attendance will be counted as zero. The following situations can be pardoned:

1. School activities: representing NCCU in sports, music, or any other events. (Please inform me ahead of time.


2. Illness: You need to bring the receipt or any documentation from your doctor or the hospital.

Participation: 10%

You are strongly encouraged to engage in all activities. This mark is heavily based on your in-class participation and contribution to group discussions. Failing to preview the texts that are going to be covered in the upcoming class will result in some deductions of this mark. Your attendance also can affect your participation mark as you have to be in class to be able to take part in any activities.

Midterm: 20%

Midterm exam covers from Unit 1 to Unit 2 or Unit 3 depending on the progress. It is going to be a written test. The coverage includes the texts, handouts, and any other information given in class or written on the board. It is your responsibility to take notes. If you are late for more than 15 minutes, you will not be granted to take the exam. No make-up exam is going to be given unless it’s inevitable for you to miss the exam. If so, you will have to submit proper documentation as proof.

Final: 20%

Final exam covers from Unit 3 to Unit 5. It is also a written test and covers the texts, handouts, and any other information given in class. If you are late for more than 15 minutes, you will not be granted to take the exam. No make-up exam is going to be given unless it’s inevitable for you to miss the exam. If so, you will have to submit proper documentation as proof.

Homework, quizzes, and e-learning: 30%

All the homework, quizzes, and any other assignments are announced in class. If you miss the announcement, please ask your peers for the information. There are certain rules for different assignments:

• Written work:

• Use A4 size paper.


• Font size: 12.


• Double spacing.


• Margin on four sides: 2.54 cm.


• Always perform grammar and spelling check before you turn in your homework. If you fail to do so, your paper will be returned ungraded, and there will be a 10-point deduction when you turn in again.


• No late work is accepted. So please turn in your work on time.

• Oral presentation:

By the end of the semester, you will be asked to deliver an individual presentation. You could hold a note in your hand, but not read directly from the notes. Grading criteria will be given ahead of time for your reference.

• Quizzes:

• Quizzes are given in class and no make-up quiz is given for any reason of absence.


• If your absence is granted in that given week, this quiz is not going to be counted toward your final grade.

Group Presentation: 10%

In the 17^th week, you will have to deliver a group presentation with teammates of your choice. All the details will be announced in the first week. No make-up presentation is granted no matter what.

Please note:

• Please keep all your work until the final grades are posted.


• Always confirm with your classmate(s) for any information you might have missed in class.


• Keep track on your own performance/attendance by clicking on the dropbox link. The link will become invalid by December 31^st.

21^st Century Reading: Creative Thinking and Reading with TEDTALKS (Book 4)

By Laurie Blass & Jessica Williams

ISBN: 978-1-305-26572-1