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You have the option of writing either two 4+ page papers or one 8+ page final paper. If you choose the longer paper you must turn in a Prospectus, on which see below. You must make this choice before October 8th. Papers are due on the dates listed below (and on the Course Calendar). Note that you are required to write on a topic which you have developed out of your responses or analyses.

Paper Option 1, two 4+ page papers. Each paper is worth 50 points out of your final grade. This is the default option if you don't notify me of your intention to write a longer paper. Here is the grading rubric for both.

Paper 1 Assignment: due on Oct. 22nd November 5th in class.

Paper 2 Assignment: due on Dec. 10th in class.

Paper Option 2: an 8+ page research paper. If you choose this option, it will be worth, logically, twice as much towards your final grade (100 points in all). Here is the grading rubric--which only differs from the short papers by doubling points for each section. If you don't inform me of this option in writing by October, I'll assume you are writing two shorter papers. You may NOT change your mind after that point. Here is the timetable:

  1. Meet with me to discuss the possibility of a final, larger project and the feasibility of your topic before 6th week.
  2. Notify me of your intentions in writing with this form before by Oct. 8th.
  3. Complete and turn in a Prospectus of the project by Nov. 12th. This is worth 10 points of the total paper grade.
  4. Hand it your final draft on Dec. 10th, the same day as the rest of the 2nd papers. Here is the grading rubric.

Paper Format: Format papers in MLA Style, in a professional font (11 or 12 point, Times New Roman), with 1" margins all the way around. MLA Style, which applies to both layout and documentation, is described in any writing handbook (such as those which I assume you purchased for a composition course). READ THIS on how to Quote! Not following this style will adversely affect your grade. In an upper level English course, I assume knowledge of this coming into the course. Note also that page requirements are not arbitrary, as one goal of this course is to be able to coherently manage this much information; not following them will also hurt your grade.