discussion forum

Primary Posts
Primary posts must be a minimum of 250 words but may require more words, depending on context. It is up to you to decide how much thought, effort, and labor you want to demonstrate. These are real writing activities, so you should pay attention to things like organizing paragraphs, supporting claims, and developing your ideas and using correct grammar and punctuation. At the same time, these posts can be conversational in tone, in an effort to drive conversation.

Tip: Write your paragraphs in Word (or another word processing program, then paste them onto the discussion forum.  MyCMU times out, and your documents will disappear!  Please try to avoid attaching the journals, though, since it makes it more difficult for me and your peers to read them.

Application Post Grades:
5 At least 250 words and are thoughtful, serious attempts to provide a written response to the prompt. It is clear that the author has put a time and effort into writing and revising these posts. Likewise, when appropriate, these posts will show clear evidence that the student has completed all appropriate class readings and has taken time to think carefully about them. Few, minor, grammar and usage errors.
4   At least 250 words and are solid efforts.  They are legitimate attempts to engage the prompt, but without quite as much follow through as 5s.  These posts are generally less specific than 5s, leave out some potentially useful points or ideas, or show less concern for the quality of writing in the post. Specific evidence is used in these posts to illustrate and support ideas. When appropriate, these posts will show clear evidence that the student has completed all appropriate class readings and has taken time to think about them, although this thinking might not be as careful and complete as possible. Few grammar and usage errors.
3  These posts show an attempt to do the assignment, albeit an incomplete one.  Usually these posts are fewer than 250 words, ignore significant elements of the prompt, seem dashed off, and have some significant grammar and usage errors.  When appropriate, these posts reveal some evidence that the student has consulted necessary class readings, but no evidence showing the student has read or thought about the readings carefully.
2 These posts reveal some effort, but not a lot.  Usually these posts ignore most or all of the prompt, show little engagement, or have several significant grammar and usage errors.  The posts will reveal little or no evidence that the student has completed the course readings.
1-0 Posts will receive a zero if they are not turned in on time OR if they are egregiously underdeveloped.  One or two sentences that ignore the prompt altogether will receive a zero.

Likewise, plagiarized posts will also be given a zero and may be subject to additional disciplinary measures.

Peer Response Posts
Secondary posts are designed to help you engage the ideas of your peers. Good writing requires the writer to think through a range of ideas and information and to respond and adapt as necessary. Good discussions require the same skill set. Thus, this class asks you to use discussion as a way to practice habits that will make you a better writer.

Grades:
5 At least 100 words for each response. These posts clearly respond to specific ideas from previous posts and offer interesting and useful new ways to think about them. These posts will clearly either agree with previous posts, disagree, or agree with differences.
3 Usually less than 100 words. These posts respond to previous posts, but not as specifically as they could. These posts still bring something new and interesting to the conversation.
1 Significantly less than 100 words. These posts offer limited responses to previous posts and bring little new to the conversation.