Grading policy

I want to let you all know how I will be grading your papers and blogs. Starting this week, you will be penalized if assignments are not turned in on time. The grading rules follow.

If you hand in an assignment on time, you start with a 60% grade. If you hand it in late, you start with a 50% grade. The starting grade may be reduced if you turn in something that clearly is substandard and/or hastily prepared.

Your work will be assessed as follows (dividing up the remaining 40%):

Content: 10%. Is the information in your story or blog accurate? Complete? Interesting?

Lede: 5%. Does your lede draw the reader in?

Organization: 10%. Is the information presented in a logical way that’s easy to follow? The organization of your story is analogous to plot in fiction.

Writing style: 10%. Are you choosing the proper words, crafting good sentences, cutting out unnecessary words, avoiding jargon? Are you writing clearly?

Writing rules: 5%. You will be penalized if your writing contains an excess of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes.

Web graphics: You will get extra credit (up to 5%) for posting good graphics with your blogs.

Extra extra credit: May be awarded for exceptional effort or creativity.