Grading Philosophy

Developing Skills, not grades

The purpose of a writing course is to help you become a stronger critical thinker, a more effective writer, and ultimately to leave feeling more confident in your writing abilities. If we think of our course like that, then the grades feel more arbitrary. If we are really honest, the grades don't mean much; they don’t teach you anything. But the feedback you receive throughout the course helps you improve and grow. Ultimately, if you are improving in skill, your scores will naturally go up. So in this course, we will focus on your skills and your development.

Focus on the Feedback

Feedback is one of the most vital steps to effective writing and idea development. This will be a key component of our course and you will be encouraged to share your ideas on your own work and your peers’ in the spirit of improvement.

Drafting

No great work was written in a single draft. In order to achieve each essay assignment’s learning objectives (and receive full credit in the course) all levels of the writing process, submitting each draft, and actively participate in peer editing will be expected.

Instructor Feedback Schedule

Skill Builders, Story Maps: Feedback will be given within 1 1/2 weeks of due date. Rubric scores included on each assignment. Comments will vary.
Peer Editing Drafts: Extensive feedback will be provided on each Essay draft. These will be on the paper itself, in the comment box, and/or in the rubric comment boxes. Completed during drafting week
Final Drafts: Because I take a lot of time to read final papers very closely, grades will be received within 2 1/2 weeks of the due date with rubrics and scores. Comments will be limited given the extensive feedback provided on peer editing drafts.

Level Up Your Grade

Your success is your choice and I am here to help you reach your goals! But one paper will also not decide your fate! If you score a 3 on one paper and are hoping for an A in the course, this is still possible! Just Level Up! See Instructions Here!

And, if life gets in the way and you start falling behind in one of your contractual obligations, you can use Level Up Opportunities to help fill in these gaps. Missing a few too many discussion boards and want to maintain Competency? Or falling behind in more than one area? Level Up with a Research Poster & Recorded Presentation for Paper #4!

Level Up your Grade through Resubmissions and Revisions

Skill Builders: These activities are for you to practice or build skills. This means the work doesn’t have to be perfect because we are practicing a skill we will use in an upcoming essay.

Grade of “Complete” – Give a meaningful attempt at the assignment and skill being practiced
Grade of “Incomplete” – Assignment seems rushed or lacks significant aspects of the skill being practiced

Revision Opportunity – You can attempt the skill again and resubmit the assignment within 3 days of your grade receipt or keep the “incomplete.” It is up to you! But remember, you must complete your work on time and in full in order to Level Up.

Essay Revisions: Because the purpose of our time together is to help you grow and develop as a writer and critical thinker, you will have the opportunity to revise any of the first 3 papers that do not achieve the paper objectives, resulting in less than 2 - Competency, or the skill level you were aiming for.

**Note: more than 1 paper scoring less than a 2 will result in a non-passing grade.

Because of the pace of the course and purpose of the revisions:

All papers resulting in a 1 should be revised and resubmitted.
Submit revisions to Canvas (the original assignment page) within 2 days of your final paper grade receipt.
Revisions will also include ½ page explanation of the feedback your revisions addressed and how you made those changes.
Original submissions must be submitted on time and meet the minimum page/word count and source requirements in order to Level Up.
Paper #4 cannot be revised and resubmitted

"Incomplete" Assignments and Leveling Up

In the spirit of focusing on growth and development, assignments receiving an incomplete can be resubmitted for a "complete."

Review the rubric and/or comment feedback.
Use that feedback to make any corrections
Resubmit the assignment within 3 days of your grade receipt. It is your choice. You can keep the incomplete, or Level up!
Original submissions must be submitted on time and meet the minimum requirements in order to qualify to Level Up

So what does this mean for late work?

My role is to support your learning experiences. Therefore, should any issues arise while you're in this class, please know that you can (and should!) reach out to me. Due dates are not punitive but are the guide to scheduling and preparing throughout the semester. In order to be successful, students should submit assignments on or before the assigned due date. This also allows me enough time to provide feedback to help you as you build towards the next assignment.

Because of the design and pace of this course, late work just can’t be accepted as it puts me and you too far behind. With that said, I recognize that you are more than a student and have responsibilities beyond our classroom. I understand that things can happen while you're taking classes that can interfere with your success.

You can advocate for your success by communicating with me via email or “stopping by” my in person or virtual office during office hours.
If an unforeseen event has occurred and you need an extension on an assignment, please reach out at least 12 hours before the assignment is due so we can create a plan for your success.
Remember, if you stop participating in the class, there's no way for me to know if something's going on with you or if you've just been forgetful. So reach out!
Please view our detailed Plagiarism and AI policy.
Golden Ticket: Students can submit 1 Paper up to 2 days late, No Questions Asked.
Late work is not eligible for Level Up Revisions/Submissions

Grades

The only letter grade you will receive is the one on your transcript at the end of the semester; everything else is about growth, risk, learning, feedback, and revision. Therefore, each assignment is graded on a 4 pt scale as follows:

4pts: Advanced completion of assignment objectives.

Excellent work exemplifying the requirements for each assignment and demonstrating mastery of each of the Learning Objectives required for the assignments and this course. Student goes beyond the minimum requirements, exhibits strong critical thinking and evaluation of argumentation methodology. Student does an excellent job on writing assignments, participates actively, and has completed every major assignment, at least 3 of which have scored a 4.

3pts: Proficient completion of assignment objectives

Demonstrating strong skill of each of the Learning Objectives required for the assignments and this course. Student goes beyond the minimum requirements, demonstrates attempts and successes at critical thinking and evaluation of argumentation methodology. Student does a good job on writing assignments, participates actively, and has completed every major assignment, at least 3 of which have scored a 3.

2pts: Competence of assignment objectives

Student has completed EVERY major assignment, scoring no less than a 2 on all major assignments, and shows competence of each of the Learning Objectives required for the assignments and this course. Student sometimes participates (whether verbally or via email to the instructor) and most work is complete. Student may or may not have "Leveled Up."

1pt: Developing assignment objectives

Student does not produce work that shows competencies in the Learning Outcomes of this course, does not meet the minimum requirements for each assignment, fails to participate, has missed at least one major assignment or scored a 1 without revising, has missed multiple class meetings.

Page updated

Report abuse