English! Boosting Your School GPA in English Class

Today, I’ll share practical strategies for improving your GPA in English class. Rather than focusing solely on fundamental advice like reading books and writing extensively, I’ll introduce methods that students can directly implement to raise their scores.

Whether you were born in the United States or arrived later, English remains a challenging subject. Especially when aiming for higher rigor courses like Honors or AP, English becomes even more demanding. Achieving a good GPA in English is no easy feat.

While reading and writing contribute significantly to English grades, let’s focus on pragmatic ways to enhance your school GPA. Specifically, I’ll address the methodological aspects that can help you improve your GPA, especially if you’re struggling.

Essay in School & Homework Essay

In most cases, English GPA combines in-class scores with assignments submitted outside of class. Suppose you receive a C+ for in-class essays but perform better (earning a B+) on homework assignments. However, this doesn’t necessarily cover the Midterm or Final exam scores conducted during class. As a result, your overall GPA may suffer.

To overcome this, consider the following approach:

Strategic Approach

Strategically approaching your English GPA is essential. While this method is theoretical, it’s also the most practical way to recover your English grades. Remember that English GPA holds a different significance compared to subjects like Social Studies or Science. Struggling with English grades can lead to an undervaluation of your overall abilities and skills.

Therefore, pay extra attention to your English scores. Today, I’ll introduce a method that can significantly impact your English GPA in a short time.

Mere Exposure Effect & Underdog Effect

Let’s delve into psychological approaches. I’ve brought up the Mere Exposure Effect and the Underdog Effect. Since teachers evaluate GPA, ignoring these aspects would be unwise.

• Mere Exposure Effect: People tend to develop a liking for those they frequently encounter.

• Underdog Effect: Derived from sports terminology, it refers to showing empathy toward the underdog.

Applying these psychological insights to your academic approach, hardworking students who receive lower grades may trigger the Underdog Effect in teachers’ evaluations.

Using the Mere Exposure Effect and Underdog Effect to Motivate Your English Teacher and Improve Your Scores

1. Email Approach

   • When: After submitting your first essay and receiving an unsatisfactory score.

   • Email Etiquette:

   • Avoid dissecting the reasons for your low score.

   • Politely explain that you’re passionate about excelling in your favorite English class.

   • Express your desire to finish the year with strong grades and move on to the next grade.

   • Mention your aspiration to improve your essay-writing skills.

   • Respectfully inquire whether it would be convenient for the teacher to meet and discuss various aspects of the essay.

   
   

2. Meeting & Preparation

   • Once you’ve requested a meeting via email, a date and time will be set.

   • If the teacher agrees to meet, they will also prepare.

   • The teacher may review your submitted essay and gather information about you.

   • As a student, come prepared with a notebook and pen.

   • Most teachers will point out areas for improvement in your essay.

   • Some may even share exemplary essays from senior students.

   • During the meeting, take notes and demonstrate your willingness to apply their feedback to your next essay.

   • Remember, showing effort and growth matters.

Case 1: Improving with Good Grades

If a student has diligently followed the teacher’s advice after a meeting and received good grades on their essay, it’s a great idea to send another email to the teacher expressing gratitude. Let them know that you made an effort to apply their advice and are pleased with the positive outcome.

Case 2: Still Unsatisfactory Grades

If you find yourself receiving unsatisfactory scores again, consider going back to the same approach. Schedule a meeting via email, listen to the teacher’s advice, take notes, and continue practicing for the next exam. Even if good scores don’t consistently appear, remember that meeting one-on-one with the teacher, actively listening, and taking notes can undoubtedly improve your skills.

However, it’s crucial to start this process early—right after receiving your first essay score. The reason we utilize psychological concepts like the Mere Exposure Effect and Underdog Effect is that teachers often notice students who consistently put in effort. For instance, if a student submitted a B+ level essay during a meeting, but there’s room for an A grade, teachers may remember their hard work and consider awarding an A.

So, if your English GPA isn’t satisfactory, consider giving this method a try. Over time, as your essay skills improve and your overall academic performance gets better, teachers will undoubtedly remember you. When applying to colleges, a positive recommendation letter from your English teacher can make a significant impact.

Today, I’ve explained the methodological aspects of raising your English GPA. Achieving a good GPA in high-level English classes without effort isn’t easy. If you ever find yourself dissatisfied with your English scores, remember this approach while maintaining a positive relationship with your teacher.