You'll produce three longer writings (1000+ words) and many smaller writings (200-300 words each). Timely and accurate completion of all assignments can earn you the default grade of a "B" for the course. If you turn in assignments either late or incomplete, I will mark them as such. As explained on the Grading Contract, there is direct relationship between timely completion of assignments and your course grade. This includes assignments done in class as well as out of class.
I will still grade each individual assignment as feedback for improvement. A grade of 16 or better (out of 20) counts as "full credit." You will only get less than 16 for late work, incomplete work, or really poor effort in content or proofreading. As long as the number of grades under 16 you make is within the limit stated on the Grading Contract, you still have a chance to make an a "A" or "B" in the course. However, you can take any grade under 20 as an indication that you are falling short in some way. If I give you a grade less than 20, you should look into it. Here are some reasons you could get a grade less than 20:
- Not following instructions
- Incorrect MLA or title formatting
- Missing parts of the assignment
- Generalizing
- Typos
- Incomplete or confusing sentences
- Punctuation or grammar errors
- Vague or uninteresting titles
- A little slip up or two will get you a 19 if you are otherwise impressive in content and logic.
- If you want a 20, then be "perfect"--do you deserve a 20 otherwise? No complaining if you don't put the time in to produce a stellar piece of writing.
- If you want an 18 or 19, then you better impress me with your content and expression. If I read a dull, uninspired assignment, I will give it a 16 or 17, if it is otherwise decently proofread and clear.
- Poor proofreading is an automatic 16 or less. I will not trudge through a bunch of typos and grammar mistakes just to follow your thoughts.
- Generalizing, next to poor proofreading, is the true mark of low effort. If your sentences are not specific, you can expect a 16 or less.
- If you make enough proofreading mistakes or leave too many typos, then you will get a 15 or less. It's about time and effort. If you are not confident in your proofreading, make an appointment with me to work on your weaknesses.
- A 16 or 17 means that your writing quality is not where it will need to be to make an "A" in the class at the end of the semester. Getting an "A" requires a strong final revision effort on Paper One and Paper Two after your "final draft" is complete and graded, so if you are making 16 or 17 on any writing assignments during the semester, you should take it as a heads up if your plan is to prove that you are an "A" writer by the end of the semester. Again, see the Grading Contract
- Generalizing, poor proofreading, ignoring instructions, failing to brainstorm, putting minimal time into your composing, showing low interest, taking shortcuts--these would be signs of your not caring about your improvement as a writer. Show me that you care. Impress me with your effort. Surprise me with your ideas. Make reading your work a joy. As your teacher, I expect you to show concern in your work. If you don't, it won't be an accident. It will be a choice. So, again, no complaining if you make a 16 or 17--just step up your game. Raising your effort level is the only way to make a difference in your product.
- A grade of 15 or less should be unacceptable to you. Too many of them will take away your chance at an "A" in the course.
- A late assignment that is still incomplete will have a grade of 0 until you complete it. After you complete it, the highest grade will be a 15, no matter how good it is otherwise.
Below is a list of tasks you will do this semester. Remember, assignments turned in late or incomplete will still receive grades, but they will marked as late for course grading purposes:
- Reflections
- Paper Topics
- Assigned Reading Responses
- Peer Responses
- Self-Responses
- Rough drafts of papers
- Revised drafts of papers
- Final drafts of papers
You can gain full credit on an assignment by (a) meeting deadlines and content/length requirements for assignments and (b) participating in classroom activities designed around completion of these assignments. Why? Most students want a course grade to reflect their effort in a course; this approach to grading rewards effort, the labor that you put into completing tasks on time.
