Late Policy:
There is no secret shortcut to good writing: it just takes time. This course and its due dates are paced to help you manage your time through probably more writing than you've ever done before while being as humane as possible. Falling behind can snowball very quickly!
In this course, we value all your work as it contributes to your learning, so you should always do it, even if it will be late. While late submissions are accepted, they incur a 10% penalty per day, including weekends. Work more than a week late risks not being accepted or receiving a maximum of half credit. Once a learning unit has concluded, I will no longer accept any late work from that unit. However, I'm open to discussing extensions if you communicate your needs.
Workshops and small assignments must be submitted before the unit's major project due date, as they provide crucial scaffolding for your major projects.
The only exception to the standard late penalty are Reading Responses. They are due BEFORE the start of the class wherein we will be discussing the readings and I use them to help guide our discussions. The point of these is to help you engage and reflect on what you are reading and how much you understand what you are reading. Late reading responses will earn a maximum of half-credit since I can't always go back and address questions you didn't ask.
To provide some flexibility, Canvas automatically drops the lowest scores from Reading Responses (2) and Workshops (3) - consider these your free passes for life's unexpected moments.
Remember, good writing takes time. This policy aims to keep you on track while being flexible. Don't let small assignments slide - the learning and practice they provide are crucial to successful major projects, and the points add up quickly. If you're struggling, let's chat and figure it out together! To that end, if you find yourself falling substantially behind you should make an appointment to talk to me so we can strategize. If you find yourself more than two weeks behind, an in-person meeting becomes mandatory. This allows me to check in, offer help, and develop a plan to either catch up or, if necessary, withdraw in the best possible way.
Bottom line: I want you to succeed, not penalize you. But I can't provide feedback on super late work (there is only one of me and 24 of you). So, let's work together to keep everyone on track!
Freebies (Late Pass):
Deadlines are important. If you get behind, the effect tends to snowball VERY quickly. That said, I understand that sometimes an extra day is just plain necessary. For this reason, I allow three (3) freebie passes on assignments.
We all have crises we cannot foresee, so using your freebies will give you extra time without losing credit. But do use them wisely—once they're gone, they're gone (I recommend saving these for emergencies on your major assignments!).
You must notify me in the Canvas submission box when using a freebie, or you'll lose points according to the late policy (10 points per day). No advance discussion with me is needed for freebies - just submit with the note. If you submit all assignments on time without using any freebies, you'll receive a 2% bonus on your final grade.
Revisions:
In our writing course, we're not just chasing grades - we're here to help you grow as a writer. That's why I've set up this revision policy. It's your chance to take feedback, roll up your sleeves, and really improve your work. Think of it as a writing gym where you can flex and strengthen your skills!
Revision policy for major projects (except final):
Available for grades C or lower
- Steps:
- Meet with the instructor (me!) and/or a Writing Center Tutor
- Revise your work
- Resubmit with 200-500 word reflection on revisions
- Reflection must include specific reference feedback from the instructor and/or Writing Center tutor
- No revisions will be accepted without this reflection!
- You can choose to revise and resubmit your projects at any point -- I will accept resubmissions up until the final project is due.
Now, let's talk about that reflection piece. I know, I know - another thing to write. But trust me, this is where the magic happens. It's like looking in a mirror and seeing your writing evolve. You'll start to pick up on patterns, understand feedback better, and honestly, it'll make you a smarter writer. It's not just about fixing a paper; it's about leveling up your entire writing game.
I'm not leaving you to figure this out alone, either. This policy is my way of saying, "Hey, let's work on this together!" I want you to come chat with me and to visit our awesome Writing Center tutors. Building these connections and learning to seek help - that's a superpower that'll serve you well beyond this class.
And let's be real - I know that grades matter. That's why I'm not averaging your scores. If you put in the work to revise, your new grade reflects that effort. Struggled the first time around? No worries. Your revision could still earn top marks. It's all about rewarding your hard work and progress.
Finally, this whole process? It's a bit like a dress rehearsal for the real world. Out there, writing often involves drafts, feedback, and revisions. We're building your resilience, teaching you to roll with constructive criticism. It might feel challenging now, but you're developing skills that'll serve you long after our class ends.
So, dive in! Embrace the revisions, reflect on your growth, and watch yourself transform into a more confident, skilled writer. I'm here cheering you on every step of the way!
Extra Credit:
The best way to earn extra credit in this class is to engage in literate practices and processes (reading, writing, discussing, reviewing, researching, etc.). Most often, this will be in the form of visiting the Writing Center with your projects, but there are other options outlined in the Extra Credit assignment in Module 0. Between my generous Late Work and Revision Policies, there really isn't a need for extra credit in this class. Please do not ask for extra credit outside of what is already offered. I will not be offering additional work to complete to make up for not completing the required work. If you work hard, you will be rewarded.