ENG 321: Structure of the English Language Reading-response assignment

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Task: Read Chapter 19 and, as you do, write your personal responses to it in the form of reading notes. These may consist of reacting to the ideas in the chapter, discussing your own experiences, and/or stating your own opinions in response to what you read. This is not a formal composed-and-revised paper but informal reading notes, "first drafts" written while reading the chapter and after. There are no "right answers," and there are many acceptable kinds of responses.

Please do not paraphrase or summarize the chapter (except when stating an idea you want to react to). In other words, do not "take notes" on the chapter as you would to a classroom lecture; I am not looking for my ideas in this paper but yours.

Medium: Although this is not a formal, revised paper, please retype your notes before submitting them. Do not put inside a binder or folder. Do not use a cover page. Staple your paper.

Length: Responses vary in length but typically fill three or four printed double-spaced pages.

Grading: This assignment is worth 16% of your course grade. Submitting the assignment by the due date is a requirement for passing the course.

Sample student response: One student's response can be viewed as just one example of a response to the chapter, although many other kinds of response are also very acceptable.

Grading criteria:

• Responses that do not respond to the chapter or that mostly paraphrase the chapter or that are hasty, sloppy, or incomplete will receive a grade of D or F.
• Responses that demonstrate understanding of the ideas in the chapter and that respond to them in a thoughtful way will receive a grade of C.
• Responses that, in addition, are noteworthy for their perceptiveness and interest will receive a grade of B.
• Responses that, in addition, demonstrate exceptional insight and original thinking will receive a grade of A.

I invite you to consult with me at any time before submitting your responses.