Category: Week 1 Announcements

In many, if not most or even all, cases, my comments on posted projects are aimed at the class. I use a particular project as a starting point, but the information and tips are for the class. Do not ignore them–and, from what I can tell by the responses by students this week–do not ignore your classmates’ elaborations and clarifications. (Like the required readings and films, the posted comments will be critical for the final project.)

It appears that students desperately wants to use footnotes–even when they already cite a source in a parenthetical note.

Please be aware that only ONE form of citation is used, regardless of discipline, regardless of writer, regardless of format (i.e., Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

The requirements for our course is PARENTHETICAL NOTES. So, use parentheticals and only parentheticals.

Instructions on the weekly calendar, in a “handout,” etc. explicitly state the requirement of parentheticals.

Students unfamiliar with Chicago format–and even many familiar with it–struggle to do footnotes correctly. Our use of parentheticals is meant to help everyone avoid additional work, frustration, and errors. So, please, follow instructions. (Besides, failure to follow instructions affects grades.)

1. On Canvas, an occasional “note” is included with a grade or number. Those notes are for my and your clarification. Please do not respond to them on Canvas as–unless I need to check for information that I do not have in my official grade sheets (a rare, if not nonexistent, occurrence)–I will never see your counter-note.
2. Be sure to begin your project with the question that you chose to do from the list of several options provided on the calendar for each section. In case you are off-focus, I will be able to tell what you are attempting to accomplish–and it will help classmates who are unfamiliar with the assigned focus.

Often classmates ask questions and make suggestions. Share your thinking about their contribution in a response to their response.

In some cases, websites that are available in the evening will not be available the next day. The instructor has no control over such situations.

However, in many cases, particular websites are interchangeable (for example, the sites for constitutional amendments are too numerous to count).

All sites were fully available and functioning when checked by the instructor.

Problems with a site for a project might simply mean one fewer project option. As each week’s calendar is posted by 10 p.m. the preceding Friday, students are advised to check relevant information for projects so that they do not have questions or problems as deadlines approach.

A video on the Honor System, the Honor pledge, and plagiarism has been posted, as has a one-page “handout” on plagiarism, which includes paraphrasing and quoting. Both clearly indicate that the Writing Center is available to work with students on any issue related to plagiarism.

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT, IF ANYONE OTHER THAN A WRITING CENTER TUTOR HELPS IN ANY WAY WITH YOUR PROJECTS OR RESPONSES, THAT PERSON CAN DO NO MORE THAN PROVIDE GENERAL, ORAL FEEDBACK.  (If such a person provides the allowed help, he/she must be acknowledged in your Honor pledge with a brief indication of the help provided.)

RECEIVING MORE THAN THE ALLOWABLE HELP–OR NOT INDICATING IN THE PLEDGE HELP FROM SOMEONE NOT IN THE WRITING CENTER–IS A VIOLATION OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND CAN RESULT IN PENALTIES AS SERIOUS AS HONOR CHARGES.

a. Adhere to the word limit. If you do not, the instructor will “edit” your response and cut it to the assigned length–and will penalize you.

ALL WORD LIMITS HAVE A REASON–AND THAT REASON IS THE NEED TO LEARN TO THINK PRECISELY AND WRITE CONCISELY. (You do not want to spend 10 minutes reading something that should take 5 minutes; neither do your readers.)

b. Be sure to PLEDGE your entry or the instructor will delete it (and you cannot “claim” it on your weekly list).

c. Do more than congratulate each other for writing a project. Think, analyze, challenge (respectfully).

d. If the instructor (or a classmate) responds to your project (or to one of your responses), do not waste a post saying, “Thank you.” If you respond, do so substantively. Make reading your reply a useful experience for others.

Instructions–generally in the form of  3-5 minute videos–are in two major locations: “Course Overviews” and “Writing/Research.” In the latter, for example, you will find directions on how to post a pdf (and to post it in the correct category) and how to access instructor’s comments on your graded project.

In addition, of course, the “Tech How-To” page provides valuable instructions, including step-by-step directions for signing into the course website so that you can post projects and comments.

Because so much information and so many instructions must be posted on the website due to the nature of an online course and of a writing-intensive course, you should regularly double check and review what is posted.

If you have questions beyond the answers provided here, take advantage of the DKC (covered in the course syllabus).

FINALLY: 1) CHECK COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. ONLY IN RARE INSTANCES WILL THE INSTRUCTOR E-MAIL STUDENTS ABOUT THE COURSE. 2) GRADES ARE POSTED ON CANVAS. (As columns for three grades a week will be listed BUT each student will be completing only two projects a week, the grade total/average is not of use. Ignore it.)