The assignments for this class reflect a basic philosophy: Thinking is writing, and writing is thinking. What these statements mean is that writing is not a mechanical activity separate from critical thinking. Rather, it is an integral part of developing your ideas. The act of expressing ideas in writing forces us to develop those ideas as clearly as possible, to take a jumble of fragments and unexpressed concepts and order them into coherent, logical prose. Seeing ideas take shape on the page allows us to assess them and refine them by interrogating them: Are they really what I think? Is this the best way to express my ideas? What are the logical connections between these different points? Do these points raise other ideas which I need to consider?

 

TIPS FOR WRITING RESPONSE PAPERS

Response papers are relatively short, but they each require you to reflect critically on the course's material, themes, and modes of inquiry. Each paper MUST have an introductory paragraph with a clearly articulated thesis that states the argument which the rest of the paper will advance. A thesis statement is not a declaration of fact, a broad claim, or an obvious assertion. A thesis statement is an interesting and specific contention about which one can reasonably debate and disagree. A thesis statement also serves to orient the reader by highlighting the major themes which will be discussed in the rest of the paper. Each of the assignments during the semester will pose questions which are intended to guide you in formulating a provocative and insightful thesis.

Examples of thesis statements:

BAD: The cultural effects of globalization are important in Asia today. (This statement is both obvious and general; nobody would be likely to disagree.)

BETTER: The cultural effects of globalization on Asia need to be understood in terms of gender. (This statement relates discussions of globalization to gender, but it doesn't specify how or why gender is important and hence can't easily be contested.)

GOOD: In Asia, a primary effect of globalization has been to shift gender roles and family relations by making wage labor available to young women. While independent incomes hold the promise of liberating women, experience suggests they carry a hefty price: poor working conditions and bitter public debates about the supposed immorality of the modern female worker. (These sentences introduce a specific characterization of how globalization has affected many women in Asia and make a clear, but arguable statement as to its nature and/or significance.)

For an excellent, detailed discussion of how to formulate a thesis statement, take a look at this guide from Harvard University's Writing Center.

 

GRADING STANDARDS

In grading papers, I look for five things:

THESIS
USE OF EVIDENCE
ORGANIZATION
INCORPORATION OF DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES FROM READINGS
WRITING SKILLS (grammar, mechanics, spelling)

When I grade response papers, I view them as a snapshot. Like a snapshot, they may not accurately reflect you, your overall abilities, or the amount of effort you have put into the course. But, they do reflect your ideas at a specific moment in time. By assigning a number of papers over the course of the semester, I seek to compile a collection of snapshots which, taken together, do provide an overall picture of your insights, ideas, and reactions to the readings. I also pay particular attention to things like improvement over time.

Response papers are graded on a three point scale. While reasons for a grade vary according to the particular strengths and weaknesses of each paper, there are some general characteristics which the different grades share.

1.5 - 2: These papers are equivalent to a D (2.0) or F (1.75, 1.5). The 1.5 - 2.0 response paper either has no thesis or else it has one that is strikingly vague, broad, or uninteresting. There is little indication that the writer understands the material being presented. The ideas presented are not explicitly linked to the readings or themes discussed in class, which makes the reader wonder whether the author has indeed done the reading. The paragraphs do not hold together; ideas do not develop from sentence to sentence. This paper usually repeats the same thoughts again and again, perhaps in slightly different language but often in the same words. The 1.5 - 2.0 paper often contains numerous errors in grammar or in spelling.

2.25: These papers are equivalent to a C. The 2.25 response paper has a thesis, but it is vague and broad, or else it is uninteresting or obvious. It does not advance an argument that anyone might care to debate. The thesis in the 2.25 paper often hangs on a personal opinion which is not sufficiently justified by the evidence provided. Like the 1.5 - 2.0 paper, a 2.25 paper tends not to link the ideas presented to the readings or themes discussed in class, which makes the reader wonder whether the author has indeed done the reading. The 2.25 paper often has mechanical faults, such as errors in grammar and spelling, but a paper without such flaws may still be a 2.25 paper.

2.5: These papers are equivalent to a B, and this tends to be the average grade given. The reader of a 2.5 response paper knows exactly what the author wants to say. It is well organized, it presents a worthwhile and interesting idea, and the idea is supported by sound evidence presented in a neat and orderly way. The reader does not have to read a paragraph two or three times to get the thought that the writer is trying to convey. The 2.5 paper is usually mechanically correct. The spelling is good, and the punctuation is accurate. Above all, the paper makes sense throughout. It has a thesis that is limited and worth arguing, although the author may not sufficiently explain why this argument is significant. Where the 2.5 paper runs into some trouble is in exploring the complexity or significance of the ideas raised. Examination of points from readings may be cursory, and links between different authors might not be included. The 2.5 paper has good promise, but fails to realize it, either through the development of the central argument or in linking it to broader issues explored in class.

2.75: These papers are equivalent to an A-. They are excellent, in that they have all the positive qualities of the 2.5 paper, but also are lively, insightful, perhaps even exciting. The thesis statement is clear and interesting, sometimes even provocative. Everything seems to fit the thesis, and the ideas presented deepen in complexity as the paper continues. Insights from the readings are incorporated, not in the pro forma way sometimes encountered in the 2.5 paper, but in ways which allow the author to respond with his or her own ideas. 2.75 papers make a clear impression on the reader; they are very good.

3.0: These papers are an unequivocal A. The 3.0 paper has all of the qualities of the 2.75 paper, but takes them to an even more sophisticated level. This paper clearly shows a creative and original thinker at work. The prose is elegant, and the ideas are sophisticated, with remarkable clarity of logic and organization. This paper has a thesis which is provocative and which allows the author to explore the complexity of the issues raised, often through incorporation of several different perspectives. The 3.0 paper usually presents a perspective which the reader may not have considered before, or it presents a familiar argument in particularly striking ways. This is the kind of paper that the reader remembers and wants to share with others. There are usually no more than one or two 3.0 papers per class.

 

For more information, contact:  aleshkow@holycross.edu