history reflection paper

Writing is a large part of any Humanities class.  It is my goal to help you develop your skills in this area over the course of the semester. All writing assignments come with a revision opportunity, which can increase your initial grade by 10 points.  Feedback for initial submissions is provided within 7 days of receipt.  The feedback I provide is the basis for your revision.  

 

Here are the expectations for all writing assignments: 

� Organization:  Your submission should have the following: 

o An opening with a thesis statement (3-5 sentences)

o Topic sentences that introduce the topic of each paragraph

o A conclusion that ties to and proves your thesis (3-5 sentences)

o Cite all work referenced in a Works Cited page (MLA formatting)

� Research: Your submission must include a minimum of 2 credible, outside sources

o The textbook does not count toward this total, but is expected to be referenced

o Websites, not Wikipedia or encyclopedias, can be used but do not count toward your total

o Authored articles and books count here

o Use at least 1 quote per source to show evidence your source supports your point.

o Use all sources I provide within the assignment.  These articles do not count toward your minimum research requirement.

o More sources and quotes, showing different perspectives of the issue, are always better

� Mechanics:  Your work requires proofreading, several times, before you submit it. 

o Be sure all spelling is correct

o Review your work to eliminate all capitalization errors

o Cite all quotations in text (MLA formatting)

o Cite all referenced thought from your sources in text (MLA formatting)

o Use the past tense of all verbs when speaking of the past.  

o Eliminate all run-on an fragmented sentences 

o Ensure proper punctuation has been used

o Check your use of possessives

o Do not use the passive voice – only use the active voice in your writing

� Plagiarism: Check your plagiarism rate on TURNITIN.com

o Your work is run through turnitin.com when you submit it to the dropbox. 

o After your submission, check it in the dropbox in a few minutes to see  your plagiarism rate. 

o Turnitin will cite you for plagiarizing direct quotes and longer thoughts from primary and secondary sources – I will not. 

o Turnitin will cite you for plagiarism in your Works Cited – obviously, I do not count this. 

o The goal is to reduce your plagiarism rate to the lowest % possible.  

o Use a Thesaurus!!!

o To lower your initial rate either paraphrase and cite or place your troubled sections in direct quotes and cite.

	Excellent – 20 points	Proficient – 15points	Needs Work – 10points	Missing - 0
Organization	Opening and thesis are appropriate to topic.  Conclusion ties to thesis. Topic sentences introduce paragraph content clearly. Paragraphs transition smoothly.	Opening and thesis are appropriate to topic, but may be unclear or unoriginal.  Conclusion maynot directly tie to thesis. Topic sentences may be vague and may not introduce paragraph content clearly. Paragraphs may not transition smoothly.	Opening and thesis are unclear or unoriginal.  Conclusion does not directly tie to thesis or is missing. Topic sentences are vague and do not introduce paragraph content clearly. Paragraphs do not transition smoothly.	Submission contained no opening, thesis or paragraph organization.
Content	All assignments requirements were addressed.  No factual inaccuracies exist. Submission contains supporting examples from all research.	Most assignments requirements were addressed.  Some factual inaccuracies exist. Submission contains supporting examples from some, but not all, research.	Most assignments requirements were not addressed.  Many factual inaccuracies exist. Submission contains few supporting examples from research	The assignment requirements were not addressed. Many factual errors exist.  Conclusions were not supported from research.
Evidence	Quotations and/or examples are used from at least 3 sources and support conclusions.	Quotations and/or examples are used from at least 2 sources and support conclusions.	Quotations and/or examples are used from at least 1 source and support conclusions.	No quotations and/or examples are used from sources. Conclusions are unsupported.
Grammar	Submission contains less than 3 grammar errors.	Submission contains 3-5 grammar errors.	Submission contains 5-7 grammar errors.	Submission contains more than 7 grammar errors.
Sources	A minimum of 3 credible, authored sources are used and cited in a Works Cited Page which includes a short biography of the author.	A minimum of 2 credible, authored sources are used and cited in a Works Cited Page which includes a short biography of the author.	A minimum of 1 credible, authored source is used and cited in a Works Cited Page which includes a short biography of the author.	No credible, authored sources are used or cited.  No author biographies are included.