The four major papers will be spaced during the semester to allow you to focus on different writing skills. Papers will be evaluated on material and organization as well as expression and correctness. I will explain specific criteria for each paper at the time the paper is assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted! Papers 1 and 2 can be revised and re-submitted for a higher grade. However, only substantial revisions going beyond my suggestions will warrant a higher grade. The average grade will be used when determining your final grade. All major papers need to be word processed on a computer and submitted as a hard copy and as an attachment via e-mail using the following format: paperX_firstnamelastname.doc. Always make a backup copy whenever you work on the computer and save your work frequently!
Revising is a crucial part of good writing; no one produces a great paper the first time through. You will have chances to revise drafts of your papers and you will get feedback from your classmates during “peer review” sessions before you hand in a paper. These sessions are a required part of the writing process, and you must bring a completed draft to get credit for participating in them. Not having a draft available will result in a penalty of one full grade. For example, a “C” paper will receive a “D” grade. When you turn in your papers for a grade, you should include all early drafts and the comments you received from the peer review. Keep all your papers in one folder for easy reference during the semester. No excuses will be allowed!
In addition to personal communication and student-teacher conferences, journal entries are a channel of communication between the students and the teacher. It is very important that the course be comfortable, challenging, and useful for you from the very outset. Journals will primarily help us get to know one another and improve the course. I will generally suggest topics. The length of your journals should be between 150 and 250 words. The three journals will be sent to me via email (volkerh@iastate.edu) and will be answered individually.
The vocabulary assignment (click here for more details) will help you become more aware in your reading and will help you increase the number of words you can use effectively. You will share the words you find with a group of your classmates, and help compile an online class dictionary. There will be four vocabulary assignments and two vocabulary tests.
Note: In addition to the student disciplinary regulations established by the Dean of Students Office at Iowa State University, which are available online at the following URL: (http://www.dso.iastate.edu/handbook/toc.htm), the following course-specific policies are in place:
Your participation and involvement in class are important for you and your classmates. For this reason, attendance is required. I will allow you two absences without penalty. However, work due on a day you are absent must be turned in on time, either sent with a classmate or delivered to me (or my email account). Remember that having three or four absences will lower your final grade and five absences will be grounds for failing the class. For example, if your grade at the end of the semester is “B” and you were absent 3 times, you would receive a “B-“, if you were absent 4 times, you would receive a “C+”, and if you were absent 5 times, you would receive an “F”. If a personal emergency will result in your being absent from class please contact me as soon as possible so that we can make other arrangements. Note: I will count you as being absent if you are more than five minutes late to class.
We will have individual conferences as indicated on the tentative syllabus. However, please feel free to drop by during my office hours or make an appointment to see me at any other time if you have questions about your writing. I am here to help you.