Research Papers -- Alert

19 November 2012

Remember that roll call at the beginning of your first class on the week of 26-30 is the due-date for your research paper.  If you are late for roll call or if you are absent you will lose ten points -- this assignment was made on the first class day in August.  Roll call at the beginning of your first class on the week of 3-7 December is the late due-date, with a ten-point penalty.  If you are late for roll call or if you are absent you will earn a zero on your paper -- this assignment was made on the first class day in August.  With a zero I do not see how you can pass.

Most - not all - of the research papers turned in early for ten extra points are so inadequate that in some instances the ten points are the total grade.  These papers do not reflect three months' work; some even lack a thesis statement, and others are deficient in support, sentence structure, paragraphing, formatting, bibliography, and spelling.  The assignment was made in August, complete with handouts, and repeated at mid-term.  All the earlier assignments were in preparation for this most important paper, and after mid-term this assignment was the focus.  All students have had access to numerous sample papers from previous classes, to textbook resources, the 'net, and to in-class instruction and much in-class time for writing and assistance.  There can be no excuse for such shoddy work -- if anyone can earn an 'A' - and some have - then everyone could have earned an 'A.'  A research paper is not an intelligence test; a successful paper is the product of many hours of meaningful effort.

No papers will be returned nor any grades given until the end of your first class on the week of 3-7 December, which is the penalty due-date.  Please don't ask. 

Your research paper is, as per your syllabus and repeated reminders, 25% of your final grade.  Thus, a 0 on your research paper almost surely means a failing final grade.