Each of these drafts should be about 2 pages long and will contain:

· a tentative introduction for the essay (including your thesis) ð 35% of the assignment grade.

· a detailed outline of the rest of the essay ð 35% of the assignment grade.

· a tentative bibliography in correct MLA style (as it will appear in your “Works Cited” section) ð 30% of the assignment grade.

 

 

DUE DATE:     Draft for Essay #1 — Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

                          Draft for Essay #2 — Tuesday, April 19, 2005.

VALUE: 5% of final grade (each).

assignments

For this assignment you will write a argumentative essay (5-6 pages), in which you will demonstrate your analytical, reading and writing skills as you apply them to at least one of the readings assigned in the first half of the semester.  You should incorporate at least two academic (non-fictional) sources in your analysis and consider the guidelines and grading criteria provided.  To aid your successful completion of this task, we will discuss methods of reading and writing about literature throughout the semester.  If you need extra help, use my office hours and/or the Writing Center services.

TOPICS and GRADING CRITERIA

DUE DATE: Thursday, March 10, 2005.

VALUE: 25% of final grade.

For this assignment you will write a argumentative essay (5-6 pages), in which you will demonstrate your analytical, reading and writing skills as you apply them to at least one of the readings assigned in the second half of the semester.  You should incorporate at least two academic (non-fictional) sources in your analysis and consider the guidelines and grading criteria provided.  To aid your successful completion of this task, we will discuss methods of reading and writing about literature throughout the semester.  If you need extra help, use my office hours and/or the Writing Center services.

TOPICS and GRADING CRITERIA

DUE DATE: Thursday, April 28, 2005.

VALUE: 25% of final grade.

“Race, Gender, and Class in the African Diaspora”

ENG/AAS 264-001: Major Black Writers (Spring’05)

In order to foster class participation, every day you will be responsible for bringing to class an index card in which you should write at least two questions/comments/passages about the assigned reading in order to contribute to class discussion.  You can include anything you consider relevant: from a passage that strikes you as interesting to a question about something you do not understand.  “Plot summary questions” will not suffice.  Be prepared to read and discuss your selection thoroughly and critically with the rest of the class.

NOTE: Remember to include your name, date, and book title in each index card.

 

GRADING CRITERIA:

I will grade each index card based on the following system:

· 3 points ð Card contains at least two insightful, complex comments/questions/passages, explaining their relevance in relation to the general themes of the course or the text, and demonstrating critical thinking and reading skills.

· 2 points ð Card contains at least two average comments/questions/passages, demonstrating familiarity with the text and its main themes.

· 1 point ð Card contains at least one comment/question/passage, barelly fulfilling the assignment’s requirements.

· no card = 0 points.

 

The quality of the comments/questions/passages will be indicated with a (ü+), (ü), or (ü-) to offer more specific feedback.

 

DUE DATE: I will collect your index cards on random days, so make sure you always bring to class all the index cards that I have not graded.

 

VALUE: 5% of final grade (1/2 of the participation grade).

Maximum amount of points possible: 60 points (for a total of 20 cards).