Morality / Social Justice

Reflection Papers .
Format, Requirements, and Grading Rubric
I. Paper Format
All reflection papers must follow the same format. Points will be deducted if the reflection paper does not follow the following format: 1 inch margins (NOT 1 inch margins, the default in Microsoft Word 2003) Times New Roman, 12 point font Single-spaced heading with 1) student name, 2) course & teacher name, 3) date, and 4) assignment description Body of assignment is double-spaced, with inch indents for each paragraph Paper is neat, without stray marks, creases, folds, or wrinkles use a folder. The course website contains a blank template that can be used in Microsoft Word in order to ensure that your assignment is in the proper format. Here is an example of how your paper should look:

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II. Paper Requirements

Every reflection paper should: answer the question completely in at least one full page (not of a page) show careful thought and insight be well-reasoned and logical back up opinions with support/examples when relevant and appropriate, make use of material/information from class and/or the textbook/handouts

Any words not your own should be quoted, including direct quotations from the textbook or notes. Give the source in parentheses after any quotation. Any ideas not your own must also be citedgive the source in parentheses after any paraphrase or summary. It is plagiarism to copy directly (words) or indirectly (ideas) from any source without citing the source clearly. Please refer to the Honor Code in the Student Handbook for more information, and ask questions if you are unsure.

follow the format outlined above use proper spelling, usage, grammar, and mechanics Points will be deducted from reflection papers if they are missing these requirements. Three points out of ten (that is, 30%) will also be deducted from late homework and one and a half points (15%) will be deducted from assignments not submitted to Turnitin.com when the assignment is turned in. See the syllabus for more information on late homework and Turnitin.com.
SPELLING, USAGE, GRAMMAR, AND MECHANICS

The following common words are often confused with one another. These errors in usage will result in points being deducted from your paper:
its / its affect / effect accept / except their / there / theyre than / then ASK ABOUT THIS ONE weather / whether loose / lose allowed / aloud
IF YOU DONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

a part / apart

good / well whos / whose your / youre for granite / for granted different than / different from alot / a lot could/should/would of / could/should/would have

LOTS OF STUDENTS MAKE THIS MISTAKE

This is a mere sampling of the errors that are often found in student reflection papers. Add to your already long list of academic goals one more: to avoid such errors at all costs. The teacher reserves the right to deduct points for other equally unforgivable errors not listed above (e.g. week/weak, meet/meat, and so on). Visit http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html for a brief explanation of many different common usage errors. Certain grammar errors are also inexcusable at this level. Among them are errors in subject/verb agreement, misuse or absence of apostrophes, verb tense shifts, misplaced or dangling modifiers, and incomplete sentences. These, too, may result in a deduction of points if they appear to be the result of a lack of effort on the writers part.

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III. Grading Rubric

Reflection papers will be graded according to the following rubric: Possible Points Category / Criteria Quality of Answer (e.g. length, insight, reasoning, support/examples, and use of text)
6 Points: A superior paper. Paper is one full page, shows insight and critical thought, demonstrates logical thinking and clear reasoning, backs up ideas with support or examples, and makes use of material from class or text/handouts. 2 Points: Follows reflection paper format completely. 2 Points: No errors whatsoever. 5 / 5 Points: Overall, a good paper that has a few areas for improvement. Either the paper is not one full page, or parts of the paper could be improved in regards to insight, reasoning, support, and use of class material. 1 Points: Minor error in paper format. 1 Points: One error (or multiple instances of the same error). 4 / 4 Points: A short paper, or a paper with critical flaws in the development of its main idea. Perhaps the paper does not answer the question fully, or answers it without support or good use of reasoning. 3 or fewer Points: A paper that is very short ( page or less) or a paper that is clearly lacking in critical thought, idea development, support, or relation to class material and the question.

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Followed Reflection Paper Format

1 Point: Two minor or one major format error. 1 Point: Two or three errors throughout the paper. - 0 Points: Multiple format errors.

Proper Spelling, Usage, Grammar, and Mechanics

- 0 Points: Multiple errors in spelling, usage, grammar, or mechanics.

10 Points Total
IV. Grading Symbols
If you see an underlined phrase or sentence in your reflection, it simply means that Im acknowledging a point you made (without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing). If you see a wavy underline either under or next to some text, it means that your point is probably not very strong, or not substantiated with support, or in some other way deficient. It is the equivalent of me saying, HmmIm not sure about this. I most likely disagree. If you see something completely crossed out, that normally means that it is factually wrong or some type of error has been made. I may (or may not) write a short explanation of what is wrong. If not, feel free to come by after school to ask about your homework.

If you see a check mark either above or to the side of a point you make, it means that I think you made a good point. If you see an exclamation point either above or to the side of a point you make, it means that Im surprised that you said what you did. This isnt necessarily bad or goodIm just surprised.

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