Index

Syllabus

Course Calendar

Identidades Website

Quia Website

Moodle

Announcements

Links

Humanities Resource Center (HRC)

Macalester College

The two required compositions should derive from one of the topics assigned in the textbook or studied in class. Appropriate topics will emerge in discussions both in and out of the classroom. It is difficult to quantify an appropriate length of the compositions, but usually 500 to 700 words is about right. More is probably not better.

In each composition I will look for:

• An underlined thesis that responds to an explicit problem, question or topic.
• Complete sentences.
• Paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
• Logical organization.
• A paper free from misspelled words and serious grammatical errors.
• A paper neatly presented with such traditional formatting as double-spaced lines, one inch margins, and a standard-size and easily legible typeface (e.g. 12 or 14 point Times or Times Roman).

If any of the preceding items is missing the assignment will receive some kind of C. If more than one of the preceding items are missing the written assignment will receive an even lower grade.

If the paper conforms to all of the above criteria I then look for the following:

• A full, interesting, and engaged response to the thesis.
• Clear organization.
• Clear transitions between paragraphs.
• A distinct conclusion, rather than a simple end to the writing.
• A clear and efficient (i.e. not wordy) writing style.

Based on the degree to which these criteria are met a grade of some kind of A or B will then be assigned.  (Adapted from Bean, 264)