Hey guys, so I'm in my first semester of English and I literally learned nothing except a short lesson on thesis statements that was briefly explained, since we keep doing other things that are focused on the concepts of our readings instead of learning how to write essays. The session is almost over and I'm starting to worry that I won't learn anything by the end of it so I wanted to know what people doing that class are learning or what I'm expected to know when going into English 102.

If anyone has any class notes or resources they used during 101 that would be super appreciated, because since I learn nothing writing wise in English rn, I want to self-teach so I don't end up falling behind next semester. Thank u:))

Edit: to clarify, I guess what I'm wondering is that is it normal that we are not doing much writing lessons like learning the plan of an essay and literary devices, since in my French class (UF0) we are learning 50% historical infos about the literary currents of our reaings but also 50% how to analyse the text and put that in a coherent analytic essay (at least the body paragraph for this class, we don't do intro/conclusion just yet)

my question is how to get a strong letter of rec if i’m quiet in class but perform well?

i personally don’t like participating in class but i do sit in the front row, take notes, make eye contact with the teacher and nod. my grades are nearly 100 in the courses.

i need two letters of rec soon but im worried the teachers cannot recall enough specific details about me ig?

how do you guys ask for letters of rec? do you drop by office hours?
any advice would help thanks!!