Grading

Grade Contract/Feedback and Assessment

English 240 will provide students with a different method of grading that is different from the standard classroom. This method will be known as the “Grade Contract”, this will allow students to work toward more equitable writing conditions, to improve our relationships with each other as writers, to focus on feedback, to enable risk taking, and to put you in control of your own learning. Traditional grading methods can often be stressful especially in a writing course.

Writing assessment (or grading and judging writing) is particularly connected to inequitable power relations. Inequity shapes what people think good writing sounds like and looks like as well as who they think writes it. These constructions benefit students who come from dominant backgrounds and penalize those who do not. Thus, instead of evaluating the content of each writing assignment on a traditional scale, you will fulfill our contract by completing work in the course and earning whichever grade you complete the requirements for. To be clear, eliminating a traditional grading system is only one piece of working toward equity.

This grading contract is based on a Pass/Not Yet system. I use Not Yet instead of Fail because you are encouraged to revise based on feedback and in order not to discourage students. At its core, this contract asks you to complete all coursework and participate in this writing community as a supportive, engaged member.

If you do the work of this course and engage in all the processes and activities of the semester, you’ll get an “B.” A lower grade (C, D, F) will be earned by not fulfilling all requirements for the outlined below. This will happen most quickly by missing class*, missing assignments, and not revising your work when needed.

You can use this list below as a checklist of sorts for this semester. In order to check off an item, your work must receive a grade of “Pass.” A “Pass” means that you have earned credit for the assignment and have fulfilled that requirement of the contract. After you receive a “Pass”, you may revise further to fulfill the requirements for “B+” and “A” grade checklists.  A “Not yet” means that an assignment is incomplete, not meeting all requirements, or misunderstood. If you receive a “Not yet,” please read the feedback provided in the feedback section of the assignment on moodle in order to revise in the right direction for receiving a “Pass”. If you receive a Not Yet, you can revise as many times as you like. You will receive a lot of feedback from me and from your classmates. The feedback will be designed to help you revise your assignments based on our specific experiences as readers.

To try to meet the needs of a variety of students, I have also incorporated flexible deadlines into the syllabus. For me, flexible deadlines mean that, if you need to miss a deadline, you reach out to me directly before the deadline and together we make a timeline for you to meet the requirements. See Flexible Deadline Policy section of syllabus.

At midterm and again at the end of the semester, I’ll ask you to schedule a conference with me and suggest a grade that you think fairly represents your efforts to date, based on the following criteria: 

B 

  • Earn a “Pass” on all projects (3)
  • Earn a “Pass” on all assignments (3)
  • Earn a “Pass” on research presentation (Project 3)
  • Earn a “Pass” on midterm portfolio
  • Earn a “Pass” on final portfolio
  • Submit writer’s memos as part of each portfolio (2)
  • Participate in all In Class Activities (6)
  • Participate in all writing workshops (4) 
  • Participate in grade conferences with me (2)
  • Participate in conference with Librarian Ben Jahre (1)
  • Participate in conferences with Writing Associate (4)
  • Outstanding participation daily (outlined in participation section of the syllabus) 
  • 4 or fewer absences

You are guaranteed a “B” in this course if you meet the above conditions. At its core, this contract asks you to complete all coursework in the spirit in which it is assigned and participate in this writing community as a supportive, engaged member. If you do the work of this course and engage in the processes and activities of the semester, you’ll get a “B.”

To earn a higher grade, fulfill the additional requirements listed under B+ and A below.

B+ 

  • Submit at least 2 revised pieces throughout the course of the semester. See Revised Beyond Pass section of grade contract.
  • 3 or fewer absences

A 

  • Submit all assignments and projects on time (see Flexible Deadline Policy section on the syllabus).
  • Submit at least 4 revised pieces throughout the semester. See Revised Beyond Pass section of grade contract.
  • 2 or fewer absences

A lower grade (C, D, F) will be earned by not fulfilling all requirements for the B. This will happen most quickly through absences, turning in late assignments, missing assignments, and not increasing the intensity of your work when needed. If you feel uncomfortable with this arrangement, please see me at the beginning of the semester to arrange for an “opt out” and switch to a traditional points-based grading system or an individualized contract.

Revised Beyond Pass

To earn a “B+” or “A” in the class of ENG240 students will have the ability to revise and resubmit their projects and assignments based on feedback. To earn an “A”, 4 total revisions beyond pass must be submitted and for a “B+”, 2 total revisions must be submitted. Revisions will only be accepted if the student further revises their project/assignment after obtaining a “Pass” from me. Once a student obtains a pass, additional feedback will be provided if the assignment is not a week over the due date, they can then revise to earn a Revised Beyond Pass. These revisions can be submitted anytime throughout the semester before 11:59pm on the last day of classes.

Writing Workshops and Peer Response

Research suggests that a sole teacher might not always be the best reader for student writing. All writers benefit from hearing the responses of trusted readers. In this course, we will use Writing Workshops at all stages of the writing process to provide feedback on ideas, to generate or answer questions related to research, and to provide responses for drafts.

To develop as a writer, you need to practice writing for a variety of readers, especially readers who are not also evaluating you. That means you need to cultivate good intellectual relations with your classmates. You need to practice listening to others’ readings of your work; you need, also, to practice giving the kind of thoughtful and honest feedback that you want to receive as a writer.

On days when we are having a Writing Workshop, your presence is especially important. Therefore, an absence on a workshop day or failure to participate in a workshop can affect your course grade. Students are expected to participate and be present in writing workshops.

Conferences

You will meet with me at least twice during the semester to discuss your writing and your progress in the course. These conferences help me get to know you and your work and also are a place for us to focus, in detail, on your writing and revision strategies. To prepare for these conferences, you should come ready to discuss a grade that you think fairly represents your efforts to date, based on the grade contract above. Failure to attend a conference at the appointed time may count as a class absence. These conferences will most likely take place during class and will happen outside the classroom in the hallway. However, you can also schedule a conference with me via my 1:1 conference booking calendar or via email.

You will meet with Librarian Ben Jahre at least once and our course Writing Associate at least four times to discuss your research and writing for this course. We are so fortunate to be able to lean on and benefit from their expertise this semester. It is of the utmost importance that we respect their time and expertise by scheduling these conferences in advance, showing up on time and prepared, and expressing gratitude for their assistance. Failure to attend one or more of these conferences at the appointed time may count as a class absence. The WA conference slots will be available on the course website soon before the first project is due. The sign ups for the conference with Ben Jahre will be sent out later in the semester and will also be on the course website.

Participation & Attendance 

Much of class time is spent in active learning: doing in-class writing or activities, discussing course materials, and working in groups to share and respond to each other’s writing. These activities give you multiple ways to engage with others, formulate and express your ideas, and ultimately help you improve your ability to write and communicate. Hence, your regular attendance and active participation in class is required. Class discussion will be structured around the concept of a seminar in that each member of the class is responsible for being prepared and willing to contribute to discussions of the class readings, presentations, films, activities, and assignments.

All students are expected to contribute regularly and productively to class discussions and activities. Readings should be done prior to the class for which they are assigned; students should come to class prepared to discuss the required readings and assignments as they relate to the day’s topics. Outstanding participation means

  • attending class regularly and demonstrating preparation for class discussions (reading assignments, analysis of questions, etc.);
  • voluntarily participating in class discussions in an appropriate manner that contributes to the experience of the class and to the civility of the classroom environment; and
  • listening respectfully when others talk, both in groups and in class; replying to e-mail correspondence whenever appropriate; and contributing to group and class dynamics by eliciting feedback from others and helping to keep the class discussions and/or group activities on task.

It’s important to acknowledge that each of us has different comfort levels for speaking in a group. If you are reluctant to speak in class, please challenge yourself to offer comments. If you find that you sometimes are overly talkative, remember to give time and encouragement to less talkative members of class so that they too have the opportunity to contribute. Each person’s insights and questions are important to the class’s collective success and dynamism. Use the following guidelines to assist you in preparing for and participating in class discussion:

  • Bring a copy of the day’s readings to class, as well as something to write with and on (digital or print).
  • Be prepared to discuss carefully and to listen as well as to speak. To prepare, consider questions like, What question is the author trying to answer? What is the main claim (or thesis) of the text? What ideas is the author arguing against? What is the author using as evidence? What are their methods? How do these ideas compare to what you have experienced or read?
  • Discussion will be grounded in assigned readings and class presentations, and we will try to remain focused on the day’s topics but not in such a stringent manner as to eliminate the possibility for useful digressions. Remember that respect for the opinions of others forms the basis of all successful discussions.

Finally, you are allowed one week’s worth of absences (2 absences) with no initial penalty. Each absence after one week’s worth may drop your participation grade a full letter. Missing more than four weeks of class for any reason may result in a failing grade for the course. Missing a scheduled conference with me or coming to class excessively late will count as an absence. Dean’s Excuses do not erase or excuse absences; missed classes (whether or not they are accompanied by a Dean’s Excuse) can impact your ability to earn the grade you want according to the grade contract.

Late Work/Flexible Deadline Policy

I grade in the order projects are submitted. I will accept late assignments without grade penalty if you communicate with me in writing (email is fine) prior to the deadline for the assignment. Written notification should include your name, the assignment name, and a new proposed due date. You do not have to tell me why your assignment is late. If you cannot turn the assignment in on the new proposed due date, it is your responsibility to submit a new note.

Assignments whose new due dates are more than one week after the original due date will receive minimal feedback. Papers turned in after the final due date for all papers (May 9, 2025) will receive a zero. Unapproved late assignments will receive no feedback, impacting your ability to revise your work as required by the grade contract.