A loose-leaf notebook (no spiral paper)

Writing Portfolio (formal essays, in-class writes, reflections, drafts)

Group Presentation

3 Conferences

Participation

Attendance

Writing Portfolios will contain four formal essays along with three in-class pieces, and one group presentation reflection (rough drafts included). This should give you 20-25 pages of polished work. You will select all pieces, except formal essays, for entry. You will be graded at mid-term and again at the end of the semester on the portfolio contents. The quality of the work in your portfolio and meeting all requirements will determine your grade in this class.

Formal essays will be loosely based around particular themes for the class. You will be expected to have drafts written and ready to be read by your peers and me throughout the semester. These essays will become major components of your final portfolio and therefore must be well polished. The workshops and conferences held throughout the semester should help you in creating final pieces. Also, each formal essay must have a 1-page reflection attached to it when put into your portfolio. I will hand out formal essay assignments as we go along.

Group Presentation: All freshmen are required to read Andrea Barretts Ship Fever in conjunction with the campus theme of Science this year. It will be incorporated into this class through group presentations. Each group will read one story and share with the class what they thought about it and write a response to it. You write whatever you feel, think, observe, etc. about each piece. I will provide more information later. Each students reflection essay will be a part of the portfolio.

Conferences: You will be required to meet individually with me at least three times over the course of this semester: earlier in the semester, at mid-term, and the end of the semester.

Final Evaluation:

Midterm Portfolio 30%

Final Portfolio 30%

Group Presentation 15%

Participation 15%

Conferences 10%

Don't worry too much about not being graded immediately on writing turned in to me. You will be made aware of how you're doing through satisfactory or unsatisfactory comments on your work at times. Anyway, if you do everything that is asked of you, especially revising, you should do well in this class.

Being in class every meeting is essential in your becoming a better writer. Further, there are times when I will give prompts in class that you will need for specific assignments, and if you are not there, you cannot get the assignment done.

Please note that you are allowed FIVE absences without penalty; that is it!. After five absences, you will fail this class. If you know that you are going to be absence when an assignment is due, it is in your best interest to turn it in ahead of time. I will not accept late work or give make-up work. Tardiness is not allowed whatsoeverthree will equal an absence.

Words to the wise, come to class every meeting and definitely be on time. I cannot tolerate those that do not arrive to class on time; it really perturbs me. My time is precious and so are your fellow classmates.