Requirements for formal themes
All themes except the Summary (#1) and the Critique (#4) fulfil assignments or exercises in your text, Involved, as specified on the syllabus.
Drafts
When you hand in the final version of any theme to be graded, it must be accompanied by at least one preliminary draft that shows evidence of your writing process. When working at the word processor, you should print up an early draft prior to revising it. Then work on the paper and print up the next draft.
Please note: Two copies of a paper that are virtually identical except for the fonts do not represent a paper and a preliminary draft. Only papers that show evidence of a process of thought and revision will be graded.
Except in the case of the first paper, I do not collect the drafts for preliminary comments; that is the job of your peer review group. However, I will be happy to talk to you about your work at any time, in person or by e-mail. I will read and comment on drafts handed in to me by the class before the one scheduled for the peer workshop. Please note that I do not accept either drafts or finished papers via e-mail for any reason.
In addition, you can make appointments at the Writing Center to get help on any or all papers.
Peer Workshops
Except in the case of the first paper, on the days the drafts of the short papers are due, we will meet in small groups to discuss the drafts. Sometimes a second day will be allotted for the peer workshop. Note that in such cases, the draft is due on the first workshop day.
For each workshop, you must prepare two clear, typed copies by any means you choose. Note well: Long lines and uncooperative printers are not valid excuses for failing to have a properly duplicated draft ready for presentation on time. Please allow time and money to complete this assignment. Printers on campus are frequently temperamental. It is strongly recommended that you prepare your copies a day early.
If you miss a workshop for any reason, your paper will be judged
strictly, adversely affecting a borderline grade. Apart from this, there
is no specific deduction from the grade. (If the paper is clearly
an A, it will receive an A.) However, if you miss a
workshop for any reason, you forfeit the option to rewrite the paper
subsequent to grading.
Length
The assigned length refers to the number of typed, double-spaced pages of the finished copy.
I do not "weigh" the papers. A long paper is not necessarily better
than a shorter paper. But if your paper is more than a ½
page shorter than the minimum assigned, it undoubtedly needs further development.
Form for final copy of paper
All final copies must be typed, double-spaced, using a #12 font. Paper must be proofread, but corrections may be made neatly in pen or pencil.
Include a title page. On the title page, include the title (!), your name, the course number, and the date due.
Leave reasonable margins (about one inch).
Number each page.
Fasten pages together with staples or paper clips. Folders are unnecessary,
but if you like them, I will accept them.
Late paper policy
The first four papers do not incur an automatic penalty if they are late. However:
A late paper will receive a grade only. It will receive no comments or suggestions.
I will not discuss a late paper or its grade.
You may turn in only one late paper at a time. It must be turned in on a day that the class meets.
You may not hand in a late paper along with a revision of another paper.
No late papers will be accepted for any reason after November 21.
Paper #5 will not be accepted late for any reason.
Rewrite policy
If your papers are on time, and if you have participated actively in the peer workshops, you may revise any or all of the first three papers as often as you wish. Revision may raise your grade, although this is not guaranteed. It will not lower your grade.
You may turn in only one revised paper at a time. It must be turned in on a day that the class meets.
You may not hand in a revised paper along with a late paper.
No revised papers will be accepted for any reason after November 21.
The revised paper must be accompanied by the original paper and by a brief cover essay (100 - 150 words) summarizing the changes you have made and stating hy you consider the revised paper better than the original.
Papers #4 and 5 can not be rewritten
subsequent to grading.
Back up your work!
Keep some sort of copy of your work in your possession. I recommend
a copy on disk along with an extra hard copy. If I do not have a copy of
your paper, I shall assume that you did not hand it in.
Read and remember
Any use of material that is not your own as if it were your own - that is, without identifying it - is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a violation of the University Honor Code and will be dealt with as such.
For further clarification, please see the English
Department Statement on Plagiarism.