This writing workshop is based on the philosophy that everyone can be a writer; that is every student can effectively communicate in writing. Through the writing workshop you will learn to improve your communication abilities, both written and oral. If you actively participate in the workshop and peer writing groups, you will learn the techniques of good writing and how language works. You will grow as a writer.
The class requires work and commitment from you. You will be asked to write, or work on a writing-in-progress, nearly every day. You will read and share your writing with class members on a regular basis. You will help one another become better writers.
All students are expected to earn a “A” or “B” grades for the writing workshop. You can do this by completing all assignments, by making a sincere effort to improve as a writer, and by actively participating in class. You will contract for the Writer Workshop grade you wish to earn for the 1st grading period according to the following requirements. The contract grade counts as 70% of your grading period grade. Failure to fulfill one or more requirements will result in a lower grade. You will be given the opportunity to renegotiate your contract half-way through the grading period.
The class requires work and commitment from you. You will be asked to write, or work on a writing-in-progress, nearly every day. You will read and share your writing with class members on a regular basis. You will help one another become better writers.
All students are expected to earn a “A” or “B” grades for the writing workshop. You can do this by completing all assignments, by making a sincere effort to improve as a writer, and by actively participating in class. You will contract for the Writer Workshop grade you wish to earn for the 1st grading period according to the following requirements. The contract grade counts as 70% of your grading period grade. Failure to fulfill one or more requirements will result in a lower grade. You will be given the opportunity to renegotiate your contract half-way through the grading period.
Contract Requirements for 1st Grading Period
For an A for 1st grading period Writer’s Workshop, the student will
- Complete all in-class freewritings satisfactorily
- Produce three (3) essays satisfactorily, at least two (2) of which are of publishable quality, and none of which are at a re-write level
- Submit a minimum of five (5) attempted essay revisions.
- Write an average of four (4) journal entries per week
- Participate actively in writing workshop and peer writing groups
- Complete two (2) Test Prep Writing Prompts, one of which is of revisable quality
For a B the 1st grading period in Writer’s Workshop, the student will
- Complete all in-class freewritings satisfactorily
- Produce three (3) essays, at least one (1) of which is of publishable quality, and none of which are at a re-write level
- Submit a minimum of four (4) attempted essay revisions
- Write an average of three (3) journal entries per week
- Participate actively in writing workshop and peer writing groups
- Complete satisfactorily one (1) Test Prep Writing Prompts, one of which is of revisable quality
For a C for 1st grading period Writer’s Workshop, the student will
- Complete ten (10) in-class freewritings
- Produce three (3) essays, at least one (1) of which is of publishable quality and none of which are at a re-write level
- Submit a minimum of four (4) attempted essay revisions
- Write an average of two (2) journal entries per week
- Participate in writing workshop and peer writing groups
- Complete one (1) Test Prep Writing Prompt which is of revisable quality
A grade of D for 1st grading period Writer’s Workshop, will be earned if one or more of the following occurs
- One (1) in-class freewriting is not completed
- Produces two (2) revisable and one (1) re-write essay
- Submits three (3) attempted essay revisions
- Journal entries average one (1) entry per week
- Produces only one (1) Test Prep Writing Prompt and it is at a re-write level
A grade of F for 1st grading period Writer’s Workshop, will be earned if one or more of the following occurs
- Two (2) or more in-class freewritings are not completed
- Produces fewer than three (3) essays
- Submits two (2) attempted essay revisions
- Journal entries average fewer than one (1) entry per week
- No Test Prep Writing Prompts are completed
Essay Categories
“publishable” - A publishable essay is one that makes a clear and perceptive point, is well-
supported with reasoning, details, is well organized, is written in a mature and appropriate style, and contains few, if any, minor mechanical errors.
“revisable” - A revisable essay is one that is well conceived and shows considerable
evidence of planning, but which fails to execute successfully in one of more of
the areas listed in the definition of “publishable” – that is in terms of support,
organization, style, or mechanics.
“re-write” - A re-write essay is one that fails in one of the following ways:
1. It is ill-conceived; makes no consistent or useful point;
2. Is poorly constructed and carelessly written; the reader has trouble
following the ideas or train of thought;
3. Contains so many errors in sentence structure and usage that the message is difficult to understand;
4. Departs from the assignment in an unacceptable way
supported with reasoning, details, is well organized, is written in a mature and appropriate style, and contains few, if any, minor mechanical errors.
“revisable” - A revisable essay is one that is well conceived and shows considerable
evidence of planning, but which fails to execute successfully in one of more of
the areas listed in the definition of “publishable” – that is in terms of support,
organization, style, or mechanics.
“re-write” - A re-write essay is one that fails in one of the following ways:
1. It is ill-conceived; makes no consistent or useful point;
2. Is poorly constructed and carelessly written; the reader has trouble
following the ideas or train of thought;
3. Contains so many errors in sentence structure and usage that the message is difficult to understand;
4. Departs from the assignment in an unacceptable way
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