Grading

Evaluation Policy:

The three assigned out-of-class essays will comprise a substantial portion of your grade, so it is essential that you successfully complete these essays in order to pass the class.   In addition, your assignments may include impromptu essays, exercises, quizzes, reading responses, small group assignments, rough drafts, peer evaluations, oral presentations, and assignments related to the research project. Participation in class discussions and activities will also be a component of your grade. Your grades will be posted in Canvas once your work has been evaluated.  It is in your best interests to check Canvas frequently and notify me if any assignment has not been properly recorded.

A Note about Grading:

Your patience is sincerely appreciated. Evaluating and commenting on essays is a time-consuming and painstaking process. Typically, I spend at least 20 minutes on each student essay.  If you consider that the maximum enrollment for this course is 27 students, I might spend over nine hours outside of the classroom on each class set of student essays.  As a result, it might take me one to two weeks to return papers to my students.  I am requesting that you be understanding;  I am not running your essays through a Scantron machine.  I am devoting considerable time and effort to provide an honest evaluation of your work that highlights your strengths and is intended to help you improve as a writer.  I make a substantial time commitment to evaluate student essays because you deserve the opportunity to become the best writer you can be, and receiving specific feedback on ways to improve your writing is an important part of this process.

Assignment Submission Policy

Typically, students who are successful in my classes manage their time effectively and submit their assignments by the due dates.  For this semester, the due dates will be flexible.  For all assignments--including the first two essays--there will be a stated due date.  I will still accept assignments one week past the stated due date.  After a week past the due date, you will no longer receive credit for that assignment. However, I am willing to be a bit lenient with those who encounter challenges as long as you communicate with me.