What do grades really mean? That is a question that boggles the mind of students and teachers alike. How do you know that this student earned an A and this one didn't, particularly in more subjective courses like Writing? Sure, instructor-developed rubrics can pretend to offer an objective measurement, but they are also embedded with racism and still have some subjectivity built into them. Often, students become so focused on getting a "good" grade that they write only what they think the teacher wants to hear (Bartholomae). Think about it; have you ever asked a teacher to "just tell me what you want?"

Here is my grading philosophy: I don't want your anxiety about earning a "good" grade to prevent you from challenging yourself to take risks in your writing and in your learning. And I want you to focus on what you are learning, not what grade you received on a project. So, here is how you will earn your final grade in my class:

• Your points will accumulate as you work towards the final grade you plan to earn. This means that "0" (zeroes) will NOT be recorded in Blackboard. Dr. P will provide periodic updates of how many points have been made available in the course and you will need to do some math to figure out your current standing. Blackboard will ONLY show how many points YOU have earned to date.

• You will receive points for attendance/participation, in-class activities which cannot be made up outside of class, 3 projects, and occasional bonus opportunities.

• Points will be available for a variety of activities throughout the writing process for each project. Often, points equal engagement/participation or time/labor; in other words, DO THE WORK and you receive the points. Some tasks will have a  rubric where more complete work receives higher point values.

Please note: there are multiple opportunities throughout the course to earn the points that you need for the grade that you want/need. Like any sporting event, you cannot ask the "ref" (aka instructor, Dr. P) for additional time or points at the end of the game (semester) to change the outcome (final grade), even if you are "close" to the next grade or feel that your grade should be "rounded up." The points needed for each grade are clearly explained in the chart below.