ENGL256 | PlanetTerp

Information	Review
Elizabeth Dinneny ENGL256 Expecting an A Anonymous 11/12/2024	Elizabeth is great for ENGL256. She uses a labor-based grading system, which means there are three fairly simple assignments throughout the semester, and you have to do twelve 200 word reading journals throughout the semester, and go to class, and you'll automatically get a B as long as you do the assignments. If you want to boost your grade to an A, you have to do 3 extra assignments, again just have to complete them, and you're good to go. They care a lot about giving students feedback on their writing rather than grading it, and the assignments are never more than 4 pages of writing (of the required assignments, this is only one and the rest are way shorter). Attendance and participation are mandatory (with 5 free passes), but I genuinely enjoy her class and discussing the reading. There is a lot of reading you have to do, though I'm sure you could sparknotes some of it (I've read all of it so I don't know), but most of the stories are very good, and this obviously allows for a better ability to participate in discussions. Class is always just discussing the reading, maybe with a few minutes of her presenting on the background information. They're super receptive to student feedback, and always willing to be flexible on deadlines for anyone that needs it. Overall, this class is my favorite of the semester and I always look forward to going.
Melanie Rio ENGL256 Expecting an A fiftyseven 05/21/2023	Ms. Rio is a fantastic teacher. Tragically, this is her last semester at UMD - though if she comes back, I'd highly recommend taking a class with her. She's super chill, the workload was literally just reading for 98% of the semester - couldn't get any easier really, and the content she teaches is fun. The reading themselves were all well selected, with even Beowulf being a super modern translation that made it super fun. The class itself was basically just come to class with the reading done, talk about it for a bit over an hour, leave. The discussions were actually enjoyable too, which is something I didn't expect honestly. All in all, Dr. Rio is a fantastic professor!
Emilee Durand ENGL256 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 05/19/2022	I had a blast in this class! It felt very much like a book club, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that these meetings were what I looked forward to! Dr. Durand is one of the kindest and most thoughtful professors you'll encounter, and is accommodating when situations arise. The texts you read for this class are absolutely delightful and it is evident that Dr. Durand enjoys the texts too. The class is flexible and is easily adapted to both in-persona and virtual settings. The class heavily uses small-group discussions, which makes it incredibly unique. About half the time was dedicated to group discussion, with the other half dedicated to whole group discussion. I found this helped get classmates engaged and involved with others that they may not normally get engaged with. There are two papers, but they are not too bad and you get to write about what you choose. Overall, I have only good things to say about this class, and I am so glad that I got to have a class like this with Dr. Durand at least once in my time at college. If you get the chance, absolutely take this class with Dr. Durand!
Emilee Durand ENGL256 Expecting an A+ Anonymous 12/29/2021	Dr. Durand is engaging and genuinely excited about the texts she teaches. She is a thorough grader, offering students many opportunities to improve and refine their writing.

Elizabeth Dinneny
ENGL256

Expecting an A
Anonymous
11/12/2024

Elizabeth is great for ENGL256. She uses a labor-based grading system, which means there are three fairly simple assignments throughout the semester, and you have to do twelve 200 word reading journals throughout the semester, and go to class, and you'll automatically get a B as long as you do the assignments. If you want to boost your grade to an A, you have to do 3 extra assignments, again just have to complete them, and you're good to go. They care a lot about giving students feedback on their writing rather than grading it, and the assignments are never more than 4 pages of writing (of the required assignments, this is only one and the rest are way shorter). Attendance and participation are mandatory (with 5 free passes), but I genuinely enjoy her class and discussing the reading. There is a lot of reading you have to do, though I'm sure you could sparknotes some of it (I've read all of it so I don't know), but most of the stories are very good, and this obviously allows for a better ability to participate in discussions. Class is always just discussing the reading, maybe with a few minutes of her presenting on the background information. They're super receptive to student feedback, and always willing to be flexible on deadlines for anyone that needs it. Overall, this class is my favorite of the semester and I always look forward to going.

Melanie Rio
ENGL256

Expecting an A
fiftyseven
05/21/2023

Ms. Rio is a *fantastic* teacher. Tragically, this is her last semester at UMD - though if she comes back, I'd highly recommend taking a class with her. She's super chill, the workload was literally just reading for 98% of the semester - couldn't get any easier really, and the content she teaches is fun. The reading themselves were all well selected, with even Beowulf being a super modern translation that made it super fun. The class itself was basically just come to class with the reading done, talk about it for a bit over an hour, leave. The discussions were actually enjoyable too, which is something I didn't expect honestly. All in all, Dr. Rio is a fantastic professor!

Emilee Durand
ENGL256

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
05/19/2022

I had a blast in this class! It felt very much like a book club, and the atmosphere was so relaxed that these meetings were what I looked forward to! Dr. Durand is one of the kindest and most thoughtful professors you'll encounter, and is accommodating when situations arise. The texts you read for this class are absolutely delightful and it is evident that Dr. Durand enjoys the texts too. The class is flexible and is easily adapted to both in-persona and virtual settings. The class heavily uses small-group discussions, which makes it incredibly unique. About half the time was dedicated to group discussion, with the other half dedicated to whole group discussion. I found this helped get classmates engaged and involved with others that they may not normally get engaged with. There are two papers, but they are not too bad and you get to write about what you choose. Overall, I have only good things to say about this class, and I am so glad that I got to have a class like this with Dr. Durand at least once in my time at college. If you get the chance, absolutely take this class with Dr. Durand!

Emilee Durand
ENGL256

Expecting an A+
Anonymous
12/29/2021

Dr. Durand is engaging and genuinely excited about the texts she teaches. She is a thorough grader, offering students many opportunities to improve and refine their writing.

Reviews for ENGL256