| Dr. Rich Rowley | COMM 103: Interpersonal Communication | |
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RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQ: How long should the papers be? A: This is always a difficult question for me to answer. The Chapter and Reading Applications should be no longer than a page, but the other papers will vary depending on how concisely you write, the size of the margins and fonts, and the amount of explanation needed for me to understand the points you are making. A rough estimate for the Application Assignments is two typewritten pages. I don't grade on how long a paper is, however. It is how well you respond to the various objectives of the assignment. Follow the guidelines carefully, clarify the concepts, and apply them directly using specific details from experience. Q: Do you grade on spelling, grammar, and punctuation? A: To write effectively should be a given in college. I expect students to proofread their writing before they turn in papers. You present yourself as an educated person when you show control of the mechanics of writing. Although I will point out mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation, they will not affect your grade as long as the mistakes are few and minor. Major and consistent mistakes affect the meaning of the paper and detract from your presentation of yourself as a competent student. To that extent they will lower your grade on an assignment. If you know how to write well, take the time to revise your rough drafts. If you need help with writing, seek it out. Q: Do you allow extra credit? A: No, I don't accept extra credit assignments for a number of reasons. First, I design my courses with a variety of graded components (application papers, class activities, tests), each of which are important in their own way. Alternative assignments are often not equivalent, especially in relation to in-class activities, or they emphasize one type of component over another. Second, I don't want students to slack off because they know they can do extra credit by the end of the class. Most of the requests I get for extra credit come from students who have neglected to keep up with the work. Third, I have found that extra credit gets in the way of doing well on current work. Communication courses build on past content and skills. If a student is putting a lot of effort into previous material or skills, the present work often suffers. Q: If I can't do extra credit, how can I raise my grade in this class? A: I want to work with you to raise your grade. Discover what I'm looking for by reading my feedback carefully and by asking me what I mean by the comments on your past work. Begin working ahead. I will be happy to help you revise assignments right up until the day they are due. Give me feedback about how I can be of most help to you. I firmly believe that everybody can do well in this class. Last revised:
August 07, 2004
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