Writing is an important part of this course because writing is an important part of everything we're pursuing in this course: ideas, teaching, learning, thinking, sharing, challenging, defending, growing, and being awake.

We are not looking for “right answers,” for orthodox opinions, or for those that appear to agree with the views of the instructors or texts. In fact, we will not be “looking for” anything in particular, apart from evidence of thoughtful, scholarly work. More on that below :)

How much should you write?

There are no hard and fast rules as to how much you should write in response to any assignment to do it justice. However, since students ask, a rough guide is included for each assignment.

There are no penalties for ‘violating’ these guidelines. Your work may suffer in assessment because you have been too brief and surface or, perhaps, because you have been prolix, but not because you have gone under or over the number of words suggested.

The short answer is, it's about quality, not quantity.

Quality writing embodies:

• Reflection: close and thoughtful consideration of your life experiences, class discussions (f2f and online), and readings (course and other). Think deeply and consider implications (logical, practical, moral/ethical) of things.
  
  
• Support: carefully argued and defended and documented by reference to specific, concrete examples of and from your experiences and your readings. It's essential to illustrate your points with evidence from appropriate sources.
  
  
• Individuality, personality, and originality. Plagiarism is obviously a serious academic offense and is treated as such. That aside, your writing should commuicate a sense of person behind the writing. We're interested in what you think, and why.

Quality writing also demonstrates style.

How you write—is as important as what you write.

What is usually regarded as the academic essay (i.e., formal, 3rd person, never using "I") is not what is required in this course. Your writing need not be formal. But your writing should be scholarly. That is, it should be:

• Well-crafted: You have an audience - please consider us when you're writing. Write to communicate. Write to Be clear and concise. Organize your papers with regard to logical sequence and "flow". Why simply relate a story or example when you can engage us with them? Give us the dirt, the details, the feeling. Make it come alive. Remember: creativity and scholarship are not mutually exclusive. At the same time, don't think there is a "creativity mark", per se. It's possible to get high marks without a single metaphor, simile, or
  
• Well-presented: carefully edited, formatted, and cited. Yes, spelling and grammar count. Don't know your it's from your its? Here's a resource: Common Errors in English. The errors page has all the big ones and then some. Not SURE if you know your it's from your its? Here's a QUIZ!