The assignments for your course are graded according to traditional college-level standards. The ability to express ideas clearly and intelligently through speaking and writing is highly valued in civic, professional, and personal spheres and students should expect to put in a good deal of time and effort into their work for this class. Attention to presentation, research, grammar and writing is vital; sloppy work will be negatively received.
	When you turn in work, the presentation of that work (especially the grammar and spelling) not only says something about you, but it also communicates how seriously you took the assignment. The same is true for work in the professional sphere. Begin good (both oral and written) work habits now. Outside research of very good quality is strongly encouraged, as I and the College have provided you access to resources such as online newspapers and academic journals that can aid you in your critical thinking and actual preparation of assignments. In terms of papers, proper academic writing should be observed at all times, which means that the essay is constructed in a recognizable format and sources are cited in the body of the paper and in a bibliography (using either MLA or APA standards, as long as consistency is maintained).
	The grading philosophy of this class with regard to assignments is that points are not subtracted from a perfect 100% (which assumes that everything you do in the essay, speech, or other assignments is a chance to be "wrong"). Instead, an essay, assignment, or speech which successfully satisfies the requirements of the assignment is guaranteed a70%. Points are then added to the grade as the student demonstrates critical thinking skills in his or her engagement with the material of the assignment.  In other words,once you have met the basic requirements of the assignment, your grade can only go up. Therefore...
	The grade of "C" means average work. This grade is earned if your work simply meets the requirements of the assignment, but shows little or no other attempt to engage the material. If the assignment contains all of the organizational requirements, is delivered appropriately, and is cited correctly, you can expect a "C." If the assignment is an essay and  is largely description instead of description and explanation, you should also expect to receive a "C." The quality of the speech or paper is also an important consideration. Descriptions must be focused and precise; explanations must be thoughtful, supported, and well argued. If these criteria are not met, the student should expect to receive a "C."
	The grade of "B" is earned when your work not only meets the requirements of the assignment, but also attempts to go beyond the assignment basics in terms of research and preparation. In terms of speeches, this means using sources of a "higher level," rather than only sources like "Time" or "Newsweek." For essays, this means that you go beyond simple description into solid, well argued explanation.  Assignments worthy of a "B" must show proof of critical thinking and engagement, and the results must appear in a clear and well done assignment.
	The grade of "A" is reserved for exceptional work, and nothing less will earn this grade. Assignments worthy of an "A" must be relatively error free, well presented or written, rich in explanation and relation to the topic, focused, and must show critical thinking skills and an active interest in pursuing the assignment (sources such as journal articles are a plus, although not a guarantee of an "A"). In your research process, no stone should be left unturned in an "A" assignment, however, you you will also have to effectively determine what should and should not be added to your final assignment, as it is unlikely that you'll have time to present everything you've learned. Concepts that are brought up in the speeches or papers should be correctly and clearly identified, described, and related to the topic.
	Proofread your papers and go to the writing center for help before the due date. If you finish early and would like me to  look over your work before you turn it in, I will be happy to do so. You should also be willing to seek assistance in the Writing Center if you feel your writing could use help.