MAKE SURE TO "REFRESH" YOUR SCREEN EACH TIME YOU VISIT THIS PAGE TO GET THE LATEST VERSION

The importance of READING DIRECTIONS in this course.

Even more important in terms of your future success than reading literature carefully is the ability to read directions carefully and follow them fully and faithfully. Employers regard that as a key asset, and of course see weakness in this area as a serious liability. You can not expect an employer to hold your hand throughout an assignment the way you may have expected your parents or elementary school teachers to do so. Now that you are in college you must make the transition clearly stated in the traditional address to Freshmen at Amherst College. On the other hand, if, after reading the directions carefully, you still have questions, you are encouraged to ask questions in class, email the instructor, or come to see him in his office hours.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROFESSOR LOOKING FOR IN THIS ASSIGNMENT?

Because the medium IS the message, because form and content are inseparable, grades are based not only on content but also on number of errors and infelicities in writing style.

All projects must be concise, and have correct spelling and punctuation, consistent tense usage, logical transitions between sentences, and above all, the best word and best punctuation in the best place. The smart thing is to try to write technically perfect papers that are well unified and flow smoothly.

WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE? AT FIRST IT WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE CLASS. EVENTUALLY, YOU WILL BE TURNING A PRINT VERSION IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR.

FINAL COPY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS

HOW LONG SHOULD THE ESSAY BE? The project will not be accepted if it does not end with an accurate word count, not counting quotations. Also, the project will not be accepted if the word count is not at least 1400 words after subtracting quotations.

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS LATE?

For turning in hard copies to me late: -10 pts. for each class day late. Printer and other computer problems are not acceptable excuses (= my dog ate my home work). EXPECT unanticipated problems; you need to do your work in advance so that you can deal with such problems before the deadline.

MUST THIS BE A MULTIMEDIA ESSAY?

ARE FOOTNOTES REQUIRED?

HOW WILL IT BE GRADED?

THIS ESSAY WILL BE GRADED ACCORDING TO THE CRITERIA USED TO EVALUATE YOUR CANVAS VERSION.

IN ADDITION, POINTS WILL BE ADDED AND SUBTRACTED AS FOLLOWS. (CLICK HERE -- THIS WILL BE A TEST OF YOUR ability to read and follow directions)

WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE FOLDER TO BE HANDED IN?

[1] YOUR FINAL COPY. FORMAT: DOUBLE-SPACED, WITH A TITLE, PAGE NOS., and FOOTNOTES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGES, using the University of Chicago footnote method (See Faigley),with at least one QUOTATION FROM AT LEAST ONE ACTUAL, PRINTED BOOK NOT FOUND IN ANY WAY ON THE INTERNET, nor on our list of required books. LAST PAGE SHOULD PROVIDE THE WORD COUNT (both with and without quotes). THIS FINAL VERSION SHOULD BE PUT IN A POCKET FOLDER WITH YOUR NAME ON THE OUTSIDE.

ALSO IN THIS FOLDER SHOULD BE [2] A COPY OF YOUR ORIGINAL DRAFT, THE ONE YOU UPLOADED TO BLACKBOARD; [3] COPIES OF ALL CRITIQUES YOUR COLLEAGUES MADE AND ANY MADE BY THE INSTRUCTOR ON THIS OR PREVIOUS WRITING SAMPLES; [4] A SECOND DRAFT WITH ALL THE CHANGES YOU MADE IN RESPONSE TO ALL THE CRITIQUES,INCLUDING ANY INSTRUCTOR CRITIQUES OF YOUR WRITING, WITH CHANGES NOW HIGHLIGHTED AND COLOR-CODED TO SHOW WHICH CHANGES WERE MADE IN RESPONSE TO WHICH REVIEWER; [5]FOR ALL PROJECTS AFTER THE FIRST YOU MUST INCLUDE ALL INSTRUCTOR CRITIQUES TO DATE AND ALL PREVIOUS FINAL COPIES WITH THE INSTRUCTOR EDITS ON THEM.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?

Take advantage of the services you have paid for in the Undergraduate Writing Center and Jester Learning Center. For more specific help, feel free to email me, or call me on the phone to make an appointment to meet in my office.

Writing Center: I strongly encourage you to use the Undergraduate Writing Center, FAC 211, 471-6222). The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Any undergraduate enrolled in a course at UT can visit the UWC for assistance with any writing project. They work with students from every department on campus, for both academic and non-academic writing. Whether you are writing a lab report, a resume, a term paper, a statement for an application, or your own poetry, UWC consultants will be happy to work with you. Their services are not just for writing with "problems." Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. Consultants help students develop strategies to improve their writing. The assistance they provide is intended to foster independence. Each student determines how to use the consultant's advice. The consultants are trained to help you work on your writing in ways that preserve the integrity of your work.

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