Major Assignments
Story As Argument Podcast or Video: 25%; Synthesis Annotated Bibliography: 25%; Research-Based Argument for Personal Website: 25%
Low-stakes Assignments
Reading Summary/Responses: 15%; Live Lincoln Douglas Debate 10%
Assignment Grading Rubric
Content (30 points: excellent=27-30; good=24-26; adequate=21-23; fair=18-20; poor=<18)
Content refers to the quality of your ideas. You want to use relevant and interesting examples, relevant personal anecdotes, excellent analyses, and persuasive evidence to support your claims and achieve your communicative purpose in relation to your audience.
Organization (20 points: excellent=18-20; good=16-17; adequate=14-15; fair=12-13; poor=<12)
Organization refers to the logical organization of your ideas. You want to have smooth transitions between sentences, between paragraphs, and between sections. Use headings accordingly to organize information.
Vocabulary (20 points: excellent=18-20; good=16-17; adequate=14-15; fair=12-13; poor=<12)
Vocabulary refers to precise and appropriate use of words for the context of your writing. For example, academic reporting verbs are essential for reporting information.
Grammar (20 points: excellent-18-20; good=16-17; adequate=14-15; fair=12-13; poor=<12)
Grammar refers to concise and precise sentence structure, understandable language structures, and adherence to the writing rules expected by your audience.
Conventions (10 points: excellent=9-10; good=8; adequate=7; fair=6; poor=<6)
Conventions refer to proper use of punctuation, APA citation rules, spelling, eye contact and body language where relevant, and layout in a context-sensitive and rhetorically effective manner that meets your purpose and audience expectations for that communication medium and situation.
Total (100 points: excellent=90-100; good=80-89; adequate=70-79; fair=60-69; poor=<60)
Total Course Grade
I use a 100% grading scale to assess individual assignments and your final course grade. If at any time you have a question about your grade in the class, please bring it to my attention immediately. I take it as a point of honor to be open to your perspective.
| B+ 87-89 | C+ 77-79 | D+ 67-69 | |
| A 93-100 | B 83-86 | C 73-76 | D 60-66 |
| A- 90-92 | B- 80-82 | C- 70-72 |