3.8

Alex Purugganan

English - Northern Virginia Community College (all campuses)

3.8
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
47%
Would Retake
123
Reviews
3.8
Quality
3.2
Difficulty
3.1
Helpful
3.1
Clarity

47%

Would Retake

123

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official
123 total ratings

5

68

4

16

3

7

2

12

1

20

What Students Say

ENG125 14w Spring 2018 -- Professor Purugganan is great

ENG125 - 5.0 rating

Just be sure to DO THE READINGS

ENG125 - 5.0 rating
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

84%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 41 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (9)
A (7)
B (7)
Grade Distribution
A(16)B(8)C(5)D(6)F(1)A-/B+(6)
Based on 46 reported grades
A+: 9
A: 7
B: 7
B+: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (15)
Group projects (14)
Participation matters (13)
So many papers (10)
Lots of homework (10)
Tough grader (10)
Gives good feedback (9)
EXTRA CREDIT (7)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.53 avg change
Dec
Jan
Feb
May
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ENG241

5.0

(1)

ENG250

5.0

(1)

ENG125

4.0

(3)

112

3.5

(2)

ENG111

3.4

(21)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ENG125

4.3

ENG236

4.0

ENG241

4.0

ENG101

3.7

ENG112

3.5

Reviews (50)
5.0
4.0
ENG125
Grade: A+
May 14, 2018
Would take again

ENG125 14w Spring 2018 -- Professor Purugganan is great. I loved his class because he allowed for a lot of participation from the students. He's a tough grader, but apply yourself to what he's looking for and you'll be alright. Also, READ ahead!! Group work each class, 1 presentation easy, 4 quizzes, 3 journals, midterm and final essays 5page max.

Tough Grader
Get ready to read
Participation matters
5.0
5.0
ENG125
Grade: A
Dec 19, 2018
Would take again

Prof. P is amazing. He gives interesting lectures and genuinely wants you to succeed. I regret not having more time to talk with him- was kind of busy with personal stuff this semester. But he is really kind, a good teacher, and will help you if you ask for it. Just be sure to DO THE READINGS. If you're lazy you will not succeed in his class.

Tough Grader
Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
5.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: A
Jan 11, 2019
Would take again

Before taking the class, I was honestly scared of taking the teacher but after taking him, I am so glad I did. He is a bit of a tough grader, but if you show up to class and do things on time, you'll have many chances to get an easy A. Honestly learned a lot from him than I ever did with other teachers.

Participation matters
Caring
EXTRA CREDIT
2.0
4.0
ENG125
Grade: B
Jan 16, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He's a very nice guy, but a terrible test grader. Don't believe it when he tells you to "keep it short and to the point" on essay responses. The lectures are lacking since it is made up mostly of group work filling out worksheets based on the reading. Conferring with your clueless classmates doesn't prepare you for his specific and demanding tests

Tough Grader
Participation matters
5.0
4.0
ENG112
Grade: B-
Feb 28, 2019
Would take again

So, there isn't really a textbook, but the books you need to read are definitely something you'll need to get. He's a really good lecturer. He gives clear instructions for what he wants in his papers, but he can be a little picky on certain things. Make sure to turn in first draft of papers to get a better grade on the final!

Gives good feedback
Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
3.0
2.0
ENG112
Grade: Incomplete
Mar 27, 2019
Wouldn't take again

He's quite friendly and approachable and tries to make lectures fun. If you have social anxiety you probably don't want to sign ul for this as the classes are big and he has a few presentation assignments. Very picky when it comes to essay content and ideas.

Get ready to read
Inspirational
So many papers
3.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: Incomplete
Apr 4, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Less of a composition course because how little writing there was and how much there was to read. You'll have to read tons and then be tested on it. Hardly ever made us write anything. A couple of presentations as well.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Inspirational
5.0
4.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Jul 16, 2019
Would take again

Wow, I can not say enough about Professor Purugganan. I graduated high school in 2010, and he was my first college class ever in May of 2019. We wrote 6 essays in 6 weeks, and also completed 2 novels and a group project in those same 6 weeks. I did it all and completed the course with over 100% due to his offering of extra credit. Excellent choice

Gives good feedback
Inspirational
Caring
5.0
4.0
ENG111
Grade: B
Dec 9, 2019
Would take again

Prof. Purugganan is incredible. He is extremely fair when it comes to assignments. Deadlines are pretty strict but during the semester he somehow would read our minds & ask if we would prefer we moved a deadline to the following class. Quizes are also pretty straight forward & he is approachable. if you get the chance to take his class, do it!

Respected
Accessible outside class
Caring
1.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: D
Dec 16, 2019
Wouldn't take again

Lots of reading and lots of homework and essays along with in-class assignments. tests are nothing like what you learn in class. Very tough grader. his class was the first time I had ever gotten something less than an A on.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Test heavy
2.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: B+
Jan 22, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Always puts thing in last minute. Didnt even know our final grade on the last day of class. For someone who grades very slow, you think he would be lenient; NOPE. I took him because of all the good reviews but he is nothing of that sort. I am disappointed.

Participation matters
Skip class? You won't pass.
Group projects
4.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: B+
Mar 24, 2020
Would take again

Professor Purugganan is a nice professor and his class is not boring at all. There is no textbook required but be ready to buy 5 different books he will ask you to buy. Youre definitely going to need the books because youll have 4 essay and a research paper. Lots of group works. Hes a slow reader meaning he will take a lot of time grading essays

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Group projects
5.0
4.0
ENG101
Grade: A
Apr 20, 2020
Would take again

He is good professor, encourage his students to think outside the box

Respected
Participation matters
Caring
1.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: Not sure yet
May 12, 2020
Wouldn't take again

The Professors's Grading is super slow, the semester is over and almost half of the work is ungraded. little to almost no feedback on writing assignments. Very disorganized lectures, as well as very poor at responding to emails.

1.0
4.0
ENG112
May 22, 2020
Wouldn't take again

Ha. Do you like getting grades on time? Well he grades submitted essays from 2 MONTHS AGO a week AFTER semester ended! I did NOT enjoy his class at all because INSTEAD of feeling like learning from errors, it's the opposite because HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LEARN IF I DON'T GET MY FEEDBACK ON TIME? & I've NEVER done horribly in an ENGLISH class!

Skip class? You won't pass.
So many papers
Tough grader
4.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Oct 19, 2020
Would take again

Assigned work that was easy to be engaged and interested in, which made the class go by fast. Big on the discussion boards, and interacting with your classmates. His feedback is simple to follow and helpful. He is great in a lot of aspects, but sometimes you need to e-mail him in order to get revision notes to complete assignments timely.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Caring
4.0
2.0
ENG111
Grade: A
Oct 25, 2020
Would take again

We wrote plenty of essays in this class, but he seemed to be very generous/lenient with grading. He took a VERY long time to grade things (we took the final before he even graded the midterm), but he is very clear with feedback. Bottom line: do the work and you'll get an A.

Gives good feedback
Lots of homework
So many papers
5.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A
Dec 21, 2020
Would take again

Laid-back class but not TOO easy. You definitely have to know your sentence structures and learn each different type of quoting style. His feedback is exactly what he wants you to work on in order to receive an A. Also very understanding when I had computer troubles and had an issue turning in assignments.

Gives good feedback
Respected
Participation matters
2.0
4.0
ENG236
May 5, 2021
Wouldn't take again

he makes you do a bunch of quizzes that arent even open book. also theyre timed and if you dont give the answer hes looking for youll get a bad grade. if you dont like to read, i suggest not taking this class.

Lecture heavy
So many papers
Tough grader
1.0
4.0
ENG236
Grade: D
May 5, 2021
Wouldn't take again

I have never done so bad in any english class before!!! I barely passed this class. I dont recommend him at all. He barely teaches, everything is group work. Its really frustrating, when half the group doesnt even communicate with you. He takes ages to grade and the quizzes are horrible... he expects perfect answers in such little time.

Lots of homework
Get ready to read
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
ENG112
Grade: D-
May 9, 2021
Wouldn't take again

If u r reading this, please please don't take this professor. I am a straight A student and this is my first time that I got a D because of him!!! He never answer emails and put grades at the last moment. Even if u did great in your essay he will never ever give you a full credit. The quizzes are so tough and they are timed. Don't risk to take him!

Tough grader
5.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A
Nov 17, 2021
Would take again

Professor P was a pleasure intro back into school. He really takes time to relate to the students and explain things where they are. He welcomes all voices and encourages participation without making it feel forced.

Gives good feedback
Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
4.0
4.0
ENG111
Grade: B
Jan 20, 2022
Wouldn't take again

Professor Purugganan is very kind. Although I dont like how he has us do group assignments but doesnt end up grading all of them. He also grades the assignments last minute and is not very easy to reach outside of class. Attendance isnt mandatory although I do recommend attending his class as it will help you with instructions on the assignments

Respected
Lots of homework
Group projects
5.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Jul 19, 2022
Would take again

English 111 is a Passport class. Expect rigor. Expect to read, analyze, think critically and write three 3-5 page essays and a final argumentative essay. Is your writing dusty? Make an appointment early with the writing center. Please do not delay getting help. Review the whole syllabus to see the course and progress route for the class.

Participation matters
Clear grading criteria
Accessible outside class
5.0
4.0
ENG241
Grade: B
Oct 5, 2022
Would take again

I had him for ENG 250 over summer but for some reason that didn't pop up as an option butttt this professor is genuinely a great one! He gives great feedback, makes instructions very clear, and allows for communication. The class definitely has a lot of work but that just might have been because it was a shorter time period. 10/1 reccomend

Clear grading criteria
Gives good feedback
1.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: Not sure yet
Oct 18, 2022

He's ok not to show up emailing everybody like 40 mins before the class. (you could be behind the wheels or on the subway) but if you are ten mins late, he will make sure to deduct you 2.5 points. His grading system is very subjective.

Participation matters
2.0
5.0
ENG111
Grade: C
Dec 15, 2022

For the most part I thought this professor was great, his lectures were engaging, and the group work wasn't too hard. My biggest complaint is that he graded all four of the major essays at the end of the semester and the average grade in the class for them ranged from 50%-60%.

Tough grader
1.0
1.0
ENG111
Grade: C+
Dec 20, 2022

He is not a professor good, he doesn't grades, he doesn't give you feedbacks at all to know what part you done wrong or you need to work on. He grades when the class is end and most of my classmates we got C which is annoying because we could of done better during class if we know our grades. You want to learn something DO NOT TAKE HIS CLASS.

EXTRA CREDIT
Group projects
Hilarious
5.0
4.0
ENG112
Grade: B
Apr 27, 2023
Would take again

Very nice and engaging prof. he teaches lots of classes so grades get put out late unfortunately. Essay heavy but that is standard.

Lots of homework
5.0
3.0
112
Grade: A-
Aug 26, 2023
Would take again

He is a very easy person to talk to not just about class but anything in general and is attentive to all his students

Get ready to read
Participation matters
Group projects
5.0
2.0
ENG111
Grade: A-
Dec 8, 2023
Would take again

Professor Purugganan is a great professor. He might be a tough grader, but his lectures are engaging and the group activities are easy. Your going to be ready and pairing up to do group essay. He encourages participation during class and if you need help, his available after class and he is accessible during email as well.

Tough grader
Group projects
Amazing lectures
4.0
2.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Dec 13, 2023
Would take again

He's a chill and relatable teacher, however, if you do not already have a good grasp of essay writing, you really do not know your final grade until the end of the semester. Since his grading is so late, you never really receive areas to improve. Take advantage of the extra credit, it will help!

EXTRA CREDIT
Group projects
5.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: A+
Apr 22, 2024
Would take again

Professor Purugganan is a very easy-going and understanding mentor. While he gives us a lot of work, he is not too strict about it. Rather than constantly pestering students, he trusts that we are responsible and expects that we are prepared before class begins. Just do your work and be active in class, so you will not be faced with any issues.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Group projects
1.0
5.0
ENG112
Grade: A+
Jul 9, 2024

I took a 6 week course over the summer and there was so many readings and papers to do. I understand this is an accelerated course but the amount of readings he would assign was so overwhelming. The worst part is he would never grade anything in a timely manner. One time he just left our class and never came back, completely unprofessional.

Tough grader
Lots of homework
So many papers
1.0
4.0
ENG111
Aug 26, 2024

Im not sure how he is with his in-person classes but his online classes are awful, gives timed tests and doesn't adjust time when there are tech issues on his end (such as locking students out of test) Doesn't grade any of the homework in a timely manner and the homework is the same every week just with a different assigned reading

Lots of homework
2.0
3.0
112
Sep 19, 2024

Doesn't reply to emails I've sent multiple emails complaining about my grade and asking to take a quiz I missed because I has a doctors appointment (which I let him know before hand) he doesn't grade papers in a timely manner. I have assignments marked as missing even though I completed them, and these were mainly the group activities!!!

Group projects
So many papers
1.0
5.0
ENG111
Grade: F
Nov 1, 2024

very, very hard

Tough grader
Lots of homework
So many papers
3.0
3.0
ENG101
Grade: C-
Dec 6, 2024

I was in a hybrid class, and that maybe affected my experience with him. We basically had to teach ourselves with the things he gave us to read, which were a lot and dense. He didn't have much flexibility with the time essays and he didn't grade on time.

Get ready to read
So many papers
Test heavy
2.0
4.0
ENG101
Grade: C-
Dec 10, 2024

He's a very tough grader. He doesn't really teach you much in class, you basically teach yourself from the things he sends you to read. He grades very last minute, and it's almost impossible to reach out to him outside of the classroom. I can't believe I paid for this.

Tough grader
So many papers
Lecture heavy
2.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: D+
Dec 17, 2024

If your looking for a sign this is it, DON'T TAKE HIS CLASS!!! I ended with a D+ because he doesn't know how to grade on time, it took him months to grade an essay that was due all the way back in September! He dosen't answer emails like ever, you'll have to talk to him in person. I honestly should have looked at his reviews before taking his class

Tough grader
Group projects
Lots of homework
1.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: A
Dec 17, 2024

Professor Purugganan did not grade quickly, frequently forgot to provide my testing accommodations, and was not very responsive through email. He once walked out of class because he was frustrated that students didn't do the homework, which I found unprofessional and disrespectful. Do not take his class, especially if you have accommodations.

1.0
5.0
ENG112
Grade: D+
Dec 19, 2024

I'm not even kidding; I genuinely have no idea who is rating this dude 5 stars. I'm not one a bitter student who failed and didn't put in any work the entire semester and is writing a bad review. I am the opposite. I did all the work and still only got a D because he graded an assignment from October in the middle of December and claimed it was AI?

Participation matters
Group projects
Graded by few things
2.0
3.0
ENG112
Grade: B
Dec 20, 2024

Warning: this class is not for anyone that wants to improve with a professor's feedback. He grades very late (essay due in September not graded until last minute December). Most work is answering questions in a group Google doc on readings. Dunno how anyone learns about their essay writing here. Lectures were good/interesting tho.

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Group projects
4.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: B
Jan 13, 2025
Would take again

Professor Purugganan runs a challenging but rewarding class. The workload can be heavy, but engaging lectures and group activities make it manageable. unstuck AI proved helpful for essay prep and practice. Attend class and use campus resources to excel.

5.0
2.0
ENG112
Grade: A+
Feb 16, 2025
Would take again

I had him last semester and he was a good professor. He would give extra credit a lot as long as you read the material. I would definitely take him again

Get ready to read
EXTRA CREDIT
Gives good feedback
5.0
2.0
ENG111
Grade: A+
Feb 16, 2025
Would take again

Great professor! He was very nice and easy to get to talk to. I had a hard time with the readings but he help me to understand them.

Get ready to read
Clear grading criteria
Inspirational
5.0
2.0
ENG250
Grade: A-
May 1, 2025
Would take again

I took his Asian-American literature class. You will read lots of excerpts from popular Asian-American writers. This class is VERY discussion heavy, so if you read and draw on your own experiences, you will do fairly well. You'll be leading a discussion, participating in boards and docs, etc. Just come prepared, you'll be fine.

Get ready to read
Group projects
Amazing lectures
4.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: Drop/Withdrawal
Oct 5, 2025

He is very professional but honestly one thing I don't like in him he grading almost at the end of the semester.Personally I recommend this teacher for those that they don't wanna see your grade early. Thanks

Group projects
Amazing lectures
Test heavy
1.0
5.0
ENG112
Grade: B+
Dec 15, 2025

The professor is most of the time absent. He did not attend the classes so is difficult to follow the lessons, he basically leaves us by ourselves. But then when he grades, he just based if you like him or not. Awful professor, he did not care about what we learn or attending the classes. I waste my money in for this class I did not learn anything

EXTRA CREDIT
Lecture heavy
Graded by few things
1.0
3.0
ENG111
Grade: C
Dec 19, 2025

worst english class ever and by the way did not even grade any of the essays ....take this class all your hard work that you put in is for nothing how is NOVA even allowing a professor that picks and choose what he wants to grade. also so much group work. i wish i never enrolled in this class use this as a lesson

Tough grader
So many papers
Lecture heavy
Class Info

Online Classes

100%

Attendance Mandatory

84%

Textbook Required

0%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

B

95% confidence
Based on 41 grades
Most common grades:
A+ (9)
A (7)
B (7)
Grade Distribution
A(16)B(8)C(5)D(6)F(1)A-/B+(6)
Based on 46 reported grades
A+: 9
A: 7
B: 7
B+: 3
Common Tags
Get ready to read (15)
Group projects (14)
Participation matters (13)
So many papers (10)
Lots of homework (10)
Tough grader (10)
Gives good feedback (9)
EXTRA CREDIT (7)
Rating Trend

Declining

-0.53 avg change
Dec
Jan
Feb
May
Oct
Dec
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

ENG241

5.0

(1)

ENG250

5.0

(1)

ENG125

4.0

(3)

112

3.5

(2)

ENG111

3.4

(21)
+3 more courses
Difficulty by Course

ENG125

4.3

ENG236

4.0

ENG241

4.0

ENG101

3.7

ENG112

3.5

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