Experience shows that many students do not read comments made on their writing.
That is certainly within their rights, but it suggests that writing such comments is a poor use of a professor’s time.
In this class, I will respond to your work with a graded rubric (see below), and hope that this offers enough direction for many students. If you would like to receive more feedback, please print out a copy of your essay or discussion forum entry and stop by my office. I am always happy to discuss your writing with you.
Each posting will receive up to six points:
Length (0-2 pts)
2 = at least 500 words.
1 = at least 400 words.
Content (0-3 pts)
3 = good discussion, helpful and enjoyable to read, and assertions were justified; exhibits clear evidence of having worked through the relevant readings, and incorporates those readings (where relevant).
2 = coherent discussion, possibly with minor problems of organization or understanding; or a failure to make use of class readings; or a failure to move much beyond the mere assertion of one’s opinion.
1 = serious problems in the organization, or evidence that you’ve misunderstood the topic.
Mechanics (0-1 pts)
1 = flawless writing, impeccable punctuation, with neither typos nor misspellings.
0 = presence of typos, misspellings, or poor punctuation.
Each comment will receive up to 2 points:
2 = appropriate discussion, relevant to the entry, and helpful (namely, you respond directly to points made in the post, either offering further evidence in support of some claim, or counter-evidence against the claim). You raise at least one useful question for furthering the discussion.
1 = comment is helpful, but either too brief (less than 100 words), poorly justified, poorly written, or fails to further the discussion.
0 = comment is inappropriate, or else shows little evidence of having understood the entry, or else is nothing more than a note of praise or condemnation.
Each extra credit journal entry will receive up to 10 points:
Length (0-2 pts)
2 = at least 600 words.
1 = at least 400 words.
Summary (how well you summarized the relevant material: 0-2 pts)
2 = a perfect summary. You captured what was essential to the reading with the fewest number of words possible.
1 = irrelevant details were included, or the essence of the reading was neglected.
0 = the summary needs a complete overhaul.
Discussion (organization and understanding: 0-3 pts)
3 = excellent discussion; enjoyable to read and helpful.
2 = coherent, adequate discussion, possibly with minor problems of organization or understanding.
1 = organizational problems make the discussion difficult to follow, or else it is evident that you've seriously misunderstood the reading.
0 = (speaks for itself, alas)
Grammar/Spelling/Mechanics (for the journal entry as a whole: 0-3)
3 = flawless writing, with neither typos nor misspellings.
2 = one to three errors.
1 = four or more errors.
0 = you need to pay closer attention to what you write, or consult Hacker, or perhaps both of these.