Grading Rubric:

Class Participation (This includes: all written journal entries; meaningful contribution to formal Conversation circle time – both presenting and commenting on the presentations of others; short take-home assignments; completing and discussing all assigned readings; meaningful and PROACTIVE contribution to class in general; attendance without tardiness): 20%

A UNIT of THREE SHORT ESSAYS, worth a total of 30%, broken down as follows*:

500-word short essay #1: 10%

500-word short essay # 2: 10%

500-word short essay/presentation #3: 10%

Midterm Exam (completed in class in essay form): 15%

Final Research Project (app. 2,000 words): 20% — Note: a First Draft of this paper must be submitted prior for grade. You will not be given a grade without an acceptable and timely first draft submission.

Final Exam: 15%

Support: Please do not hesitate to speak with me during my office hours or by appointment—this is one of the most direct and effective ways to improve your work, seek advice, and alert me to any issues, concerns, or questions. There are many other avenues of support at City Tech, including your Learning Community peer advisor, the College Learning Center, the Academic Advisement Center, and the Counseling Service Center. Students with disabilities should consult with the Student Support Services Program for documentation and support, and should speak with me privately to coordinate appropriate accommodations.

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Q: “I got my paper back from you — can you help me understand the written comments?”

A: “Yes, my handwriting is terrible, so always speak to me if you have a question. Meanwhile, familiarize yourself with the abbreviations for common errors you may find in the margins.”

Here are some common issues that make their way into comments. When they are made frequently in a paper, I will probably start to abbreviate them. These are areas of concern for you in your grammar and mechanics:

R.O. == Run On Sentences

Frag == Sentence Fragments

Comma == Your general use of commas; comma splices

Awk == Awkward phrases or word usage

W.C. == Word Choice (you chose the wrong word)

Punct == Punctuation

Redundancies == Using the same word or words over and over

S/V == Subject/Verb Agreement

Art == Article Usage (a/an; the)

Possessives == ‘s

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Three-Star System for Assessing Periodic Journal Checks

You will have your Journals checked over the course of the semester. The stars function like the check plus, check, check minus system. Three Gold Stars is the highest (100%); Two Gold Stars (80%); One Gold Star (65%)

Grading for Specific Assignments: the Four-Part Breakdown

This rubric pertains to typed, written papers; research papers; mid-terms; finals — in short, all formal assignments (not part of your Journal or in-class exercises, or daily homework exercises). They are assessed as follows, under this four-part rubric, on a scale of one to four:

NC — Narrative & Creative Content: 1-4

S&D — Structure & Development: 1-4

M&G — Mechanics & Grammar: 1-4

IF — Instructions Fulfilled: 1-4

“Instructions Fulfilled” includes length of paper assignment, format (font size, layout, et al), as well as following the guidelines for the assignment itself. In other words: ‘did you follow instructions?’

Note: If your M&G grade falls below a 2.5, you will be directed towards tutoring/help that will get you back on track to bring up your skills. If you see the Tutor after receiving this grade, you will receive class participation credit for doing so. Please show the instructor your signed, Tutoring Center sheet.