Here is an overview of all of the different types of assignments in the course. You can find the detailed directions for the assignments and the grading rubrics in the module where they are assigned.
Each module includes one or two discussions. These build on course concepts and readings. Please pay close attention to the Calendar because some discussion posts might be due mid-week, depending on the instructor's preferences. Make sure to reply to two colleagues before the deadline of the discussion. To help ensure engaged discussion, try to publish your original post a few days before the deadline–this will give you and your colleagues time to read and respond to each other.
The discussion activities provide you with an opportunity to deeply reflect on the readings assigned to each module and apply them to a problem. They can prepare you for the essays and final assessments. Online discussion allows time to weave your thoughts and reflect on the readings and your experiences. All of the posts on the discussion board are required to be thoughtful, reflective, and concise. Your discussion posts and replies are worth 20 points each.
This course includes three social annotation activities. Using an app called Hypothesis that is embedded in Canvas, the social annotations allow you to highlight and make digital comments on documents that you, your colleagues, and your professor can see. You can also reply to the comments of your colleagues. Please pay close attention to the Calendar because you will need time to read and annotate the documents and interact with your colleagues. To help ensure engaged discussion, try to publish your annotations a few days before the deadline–this will give you and your colleagues time to respond to each other and have a conversation via annotating.
The social annotations allow you to engage more deeply with exemplars from different fields of writing and think through key principles for each genre. Your annotations replies are worth 20 points each.
There are five major projects in this course: two required papers– a narrative essay (100 points) and a research essay (100 points), an annotated bibliography (100 points), a polished rhetorical analysis audio/visual presentation (100 points), and a digital portfolio (200 points).
NOTE: You must complete the Annotated Bibliography in order to earn credit on your Research Project First & Final Drafts. The sources you list in the Annotated Bibliography must also be used, cited, and included in the Work Cited page of your research paper.
In addition to the final drafts of your major projects, you will complete a variety of smaller tasks along the way, which are crucial to the writing process. This is called scaffolding and is a great way to break a large project into manageable pieces on which you will receive and give feedback. These smaller parts (e.g. outlines, first drafts) are all worth 20 points each.
A vital aspect of writing is receiving and giving feedback to your colleagues. You will be assigned three peer reviews over the course of the semester: the narrative essay first draft, the rhetorical analysis audio/visual presentation, and the research project first draft.
There are two proctored assessments in this course: a midterm exam (100 points) and a final exam (200 points). Your midterm exam includes two parts: the rhetorical analysis, which you will submit as an audio/visual presentation, and detailed feedback and critique of a colleague’s presentation, which will be assigned to you. Your final exam is your digital portfolio, which is offers a detailed analysis of and reflection on your work and rhetorical choices throughout the semester presented in via an online platform (e.g. Google Sites).
You can find the information on how to take proctored assessments in the Proctored Assessments module.