Class Summary Essay Assignment 336 F11

At one randomly-assigned point during the semester you will compose a thesis-driven class period summary (750-1250 words). Your job is to craft a thesis clearly stating the main point(s) about the assigned text(s)/writer(s) that you took away from the class meeting. You then should proceed to delineate precisely how the main idea(s) came into focus during the period by summarizing in detail the various portions of class time and by presenting this summary as a coherent, thoroughly developed argument. This assignment will allow all of you to contribute in a meaningful way to the collaborative construction of a multi-voiced record of our progress through our course, a record which will hold within it the potential to truly transform your understanding not only of British Victorian Literature but also of meaning-making itself as a collaborative process (as well as serving as a tremendous study aid).

You must post this essay to our course wiki, in addition to turning in a hard copy to me. Your deadline for posting to the wiki and turning in a hard copy to me will be the beginning of the second class meeting after your assigned day. Papers must be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date to be considered on time; I do not accept papers by email. A late paper will have its grade knocked down one full level (that is, from A to B) for each class meeting that passes without your turning it in (beginning with the due date meeting) unless I grant you an extension ahead of time. Turning in work falling outside the parameters of the word count requirements also will negatively impact your grade. Please include your word count somewhere on the essay. All papers should be typed and double spaced, with one-inch margins, in Times New Roman 12 (or equivalent font/point size). All papers also should be pledged.

I will grade your class summary essay on the accuracy of its content, as well as on all the basic qualities of a successful essay—including but not limited to clear thesis statement, strong organization, logical paragraphing, coherent and appropriately developed presentation, successful integration of quoted material (if applicable), grammatically correct writing, and a mature sense of style. This essay will be worth 25% of your final grade.

dis/lit class summaries 2007 sample

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