METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

I will assess your work chronologically, meaning that a stricter emphasis will be placed on the final papers than on the initial papers. If you show improvement throughout the semester, the first few papers, if graded poorly, will factor into your final grade to a lesser degree than your improved grades. The initial papers will be graded on your ability to utilize concrete details to describe your main statement and supportive arguments, appropriate language for your audience, and accuracy in sources. As the semester continues, I will begin to begin to evaluate your papers structurally: is your thesis statement narrowed to a specific topic? do your supporting paragraphs revolve around a central thesis? are the sentences and paragraphs concise and to the point? are there transitions between paragraphs, allowing one idea to flow into the next? are your introductions and conclusions enticing and culminating, respectively? are academic sources (hard copy and electronic) used accurately and concisely? are the academic sources cited accurately as per the Modern Language Association (MLA)? have you spell-checked/grammar-checked your work by word processor tools and by self-evaluation?

As stated previously, class participation is a major requirement of the course, and you will be assessed for a certain percentage of your grade for your input in the classroom. Participation includes class discussion, analysis of readings, idea development, and peer editing and revision.