Guidelines for written work
All written work must be STAPLED and double-spaced, with one-inch
margins and typed in a 10 or 12-point font unless otherwise instructed. I
encourage you to print on both sides of the page to conserve paper (but this is
not required). If your paper is not stapled and
typed, you will receive ZERO credit.
All written assignments are due in
class. Papers turned in after class (same day) will
incur a 20% penalty. Papers turned in the next day will incur a 50% penalty.
Papers turned in more than 48 hours late will not be accepted. There will be NO
exceptions, so plan ahead and finish early!
Your written work will be graded on content
(relevance, understanding, insight, originality, and adhering to the
requirements of the assignment) and form (grammar, spelling, punctuation,
organization, and clarity of expression). You should strive for brevity and
clarity in all your written work. Content and form typically are related. Vague
and muddled writing is usually the result of a lack of effort in thinking
through your ideas carefully. Remember: think before you write and then
proofread, proofread, proofread!
As students studying communication, you
should understand and avoid plagiarism (presenting the work of others as your
own). A discussion of plagiarism, with examples, can be found at: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/m/x/mxj20/comm381/plagiarism.htm
PSU links to citation guides: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/infolit/andyou/mod8/citing2.htm
Warning: I take your written work very
seriously, and so should you. Spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors
will significantly reduce your grade. What makes this more frustrating (for
you) is that almost all of these errors could be avoided with a little bit of
effort. Proofread your paper before you turn it in AND get someone else to
proofread it as well! Getting someone else to look at your paper can also
help you spot problems with content and organization.
Grading standards:
A paper: An outstanding paper that makes a
perceptive and thoughtful response to the assignment. The paper is well
organized and contains very few mechanical errors. The response to the
assignment is a true synthesis of the material.
B paper: Addresses the assignment very well
and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic. The writing is clear
and concise with few errors. The paper shows that the author took the time to
research and think about the relevant issues. This paper shows insight into the
topic.
C paper: Completes the assignment in a
routine way. This paper has few mechanical or factual errors and it
demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic. There is little evidence of
original thinking but the paper adheres to the assignment well.
D paper: A weak paper that vaguely relates to
the assignment but doesn’t demonstrate any real comprehension of the relevant
issues. Typically has many mechanical errors or fact errors related to the
content. Often contains much material not relevant to the assignment.
F paper: Shows no thought or effort. It is
difficult to follow the ideas and has many mechanical errors. A plagiarized
paper fits into this category because it demonstrates no thought and little
effort. The same is true for an outstanding paper that does not address the
assigned topic or adhere to the requirements.
MAKE SURE YOU READ EACH ASSIGNMENT CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS. IF YOU ARE UNSURE, ASK!!