Life Experience
Write a paper discussing a life experience you've had that is
relevant to the course. If your own life experiences would not lead
you to write an engaging paper, feel free to fabricate. For this
introductory essay, I will focus my attention primarily on your
grammar and spelling, but the flow and interest of the essay will also
be considered for an A grade. The essay should be typed and should be
about 250-350 words. I recommend you use a word-processor with a
spell-checker. (No, I won't count the words.)
To the student who has been taught to write a 5-paragraph essay:
Forget what you've learned! Please see me if you have questions.
For this particular paper, worth 5% of your final course grade, I will
use the following grading guidelines:
- The F paper is reserved for a failure to comply with the
terms of the assignment.
- The D paper doesn't answer the question that was asked.
- The C paper is full of grammatical errors, or is very hard to
follow due to a poor choice of overall structure.
- The B paper has few grammatical errors. It's easily understood
after one reading, and addresses the question asked.
- The A paper has all the qualities of a B paper, but in addition it
is lively, well paced, and interesting. The sure mark of an A paper
is that the reader continues to think about it after reading it.
(Portions excerpted from Lewis Hyde's guidelines.)
Please remember to write the following in full and sign:
On my honor, I pledge that I have not
given, received, or tolerated others' use of unauthorized aid in
completing this work.