You earn points for quality:
Format, format, format. At the bottom of your research paper, off to the side, do a word count and tell me how many words.
I want you to understand how your formal assignments, research paper and final exam are going to be graded.
Some examples of "sloppy" mistakes:
1. misspelling Sheehan, even after I've shown you the book.
2. poor format (single space instead of double)
3. failure to follow directions. For instance: staple in upper
left-hand corner of final draft, paper clipped to notes and drafts.
4. non-compliance with MLA format
5. inadequate introduction
6. failure to use spelling dictionary
7. failure to speak about yourself (you and people)
8. not enough quotations
9. poor citing
10. unclear thesis
11. lack of conclusion
12. incomplete sentences
13. no attached draft
14. plagiarism
15. not saying what you mean
16. failure to get feedback from me before paper is due
A GRADE OF "A" is earned when you excel beyond
the minimum required:
(e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide four.
If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide
twenty);
you attend 27 of the 29 classes;
you turn in all assigned writing in correct format and on time;
final drafts exhibit "quality" by having fewer than
six errors; you actively participate in class and chorusing;
you earn 90% of your daily points;
you earn 90% - 100% on your final exam;
your portfolio is complete, up-to-date, and in proper format.
A GRADE OF "B" is earned when you go beyond
the minimum required:
(e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide three.
If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide
fifteen);
you attend 26 of the 29 classes;
the Research Paper is turned in appropriately;
you turn in all but one other assignment in correct format and
on time;
final drafts exhibit "quality" by having fewer than
eight errors;
you actively participate in class and chorusing;
you earn 85% of your daily points;
you earn 80% - 89% on your final exam;
your portfolio is complete, up-to-date, and in proper format.
A GRADE OF "C" is earned when you do the minimum
required:
(e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide two.
If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide
ten);
you attend 24 of the 29 classes;
the Research Paper is turned in correct format and on time;
you turn in all but two other assignments in correct format and
on time;
all but two assignments are on time;
final drafts exhibit "quality" by having fewer than
ten errors;
you actively participate in class and chorusing;
you earn 75% of your daily points;
you earn 70% - 79% on your final exam;
your portfolio is complete, up-to-date, and in proper format.
A GRADE OF "D" is earned when you do less
than the minimum required:
(e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide one.
If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide
seven);
you attend 20 of the 29 classes;
you fail to turn in the Research Paper in correct format and on
time;
you turn in the Research Paper but fail to turn in three other
assignments appropriately;
all but three assignments are on time;
final drafts exhibit "quality" by having fewer than
15 errors;
you sometimes participate in class and chorusing;
you earn 60% - 69% on your final exam;
you earn 65% of your daily points;
your portfolio is incomplete, not up-to-date, and in improper
format.
A GRADE OF "F" is earned when you do less
than the minimum required:
(e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide less
than one. If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you
provide five);
you attend fewer than 20 of the 29 classes;
you fail to turn in five assignments in correct format and on
time;
five assignments are late;
final drafts have more than 20 errors;
you rarely participate in class and chorusing;
you earn less than 60% on your final exam;
you earn less than 65% of your daily points;
your portfolio is incomplete, out-of-date, in incorrect format.
Also, let's take a look at the course syllabus and see what it has to say about grading:
EVALUATION
In order to improve one's writing skills one must 1) Choose to write; 2) Choose to write with "quality;" 3) Write. To accomplish these goals considerable writing shall be done in class.
In addition, students shall turn in six original "essays" on time, and in required format. There will also be a written midterm and final essay exam. All work shall be kept in portfolios.
The format for all written material, homework, and essays written both inside and outside of class shall include, but is not limited to: word processed, 12 point Times (or Times New Roman), double spaced, 1 inch margins (approximately 250 words per page). In-class, hand- written material, should be blue or black pen.
Students should refer to pages 401 419 of their Reference Guide for a sample format.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
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| Essay One |
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In class (600 - 800 words) | Sept. 8 | 10 |
| Essay Two |
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In class (600 800 words) | Sept. 22 | 10 |
| Essay Three |
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Homework (600 800 words) | Oct. 6 | 10 |
| Mid Term |
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In class | Oct. 13 + 18 | 10 |
| Essay Four |
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In class (600 800 words) | Oct. 27 | 10 |
| Essay Five |
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Homework (600 800 words) | Nov. 10 | 10 |
| Essay Six |
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Research Paper (1,500 2,500) | Nov. 22 | 15 |
| Final |
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In class | Dec. 13 | 10 |
| Portfolios |
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In class | Ongoing | 15 |
| Participation |
|
In class | Ongoing |
All essays must be accompanied by prewrites and drafts. Final drafts are due the beginning of class on the day they are due. Papers completed early will be accepted upon completion. Each stage of the research paper must be attached to the final draft.
Reading: Because writing cannot be done in a vacuum, perhaps it would be more accurate to call this course: reading/writing/listening/speaking/information organization and study skills, with an emphasis on writing.
Each week, students will be asked to study a wide variety of written material. Students will be asked to summarize the main points of the readings in short essays that will be collected into portfolios.
GRADING
Your final grade will be based on your attendance, class participation, and the quality of your written assignments.
An "A" paper is one that displays care, effort, style, analysis and mechanics that go beyond the minimum requirements: (e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide four. If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide twenty).
A "B" paper is one that displays care, effort, style, analysis and mechanics that go beyond the minimum requirements: (e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide three. If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide fifteen).
A "C" paper is one that meets all the requirements: (e.g., if the assignment calls for two examples, you provide two. If the assignment can be satisfied with ten lines, you provide ten).
Assignments failing to meet the basic requirements will earn a grade of "D" or "F," indicating poor effort, lack of focus, many mechanical errors.