At semester's end, grades will be given to the following:

• Workaday writing--Grade counts as one-fifth of the final course grade. Students will be expected to hand in twenty-four journal entries or "speculations" as well as to have made daily entries in the in-class writing log.  The grade will be determined by the number of required journal entries, the number of log entries, and additional points given for thoroughness and thoughtfulness and for self-generated journal entries.  Students should note:
• Log entries are written and turned in on class days and pertain to class activities--they cannot be handed in at any other time than the day assigned.
• Journal entries are to be completed as preparation for class activities and work-in-progress--the journal should be have been completed by the duedate and will not be accepted after it.

• Portfolio--Grade counts three-fifths of the final course grade.  Having completed advanced drafts of six communications by revising them until they are marked as acceptable, students will select three to revise to an additional level of competence and development, representing the best work you are capable of producing at this time.  Students should note:
• The portfolio will consist of drafts of all six communications (with teacher remarks), accompanied with notes, drafts, and text preparation sheets, and final revisions of three communications--nine papers in all.
• Grade is lowered one full letter grade for each missing paper or each paper marked as unacceptable.

• The Final Problem--Grade counts one-fifth of the final course grade. Given in two parts, this is the equivalent of a final examination, but it asks students to demonstrate ability, not rote knowledge.  Part of the final problem will be completed before the examination period as an example of ability in writing outside of class and part will be completed during the examination period as an example of ability in in-class writing.  Students should note:
• The Final Problem Part I will be initiated at the final class meeting and students will be required to prepare it before the final examination period and bring it with them at that time.
• The Final Problem Part II will be an impromptu writing assignment presented and completed only at the final examination period.

Please Note: Freshman Composition is a course in composing strategies applied to work-in-progress.  Failure to demonstrate work-in-progress or to bring work-in-progress on workshop days will count the same as an absence.  After three unexcused absences the final workaday writing grade will be lowered one complete letter grade.

Also Note: Freshman Composition is a course required for completion of the university's Written Competency Requirement.  Students need to earn a grade of C or higher to receive credit for the course; a grade of C- or lower will indicate a failure to demonstrate college-level competency in writing and will require the student to repeat the course.
 

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