Response Papers

    During your literature course, you will be reading (lots!) and examining not only the language but also the sentiments and various aspects of the time in which the writings were produced.  Many aspects impact the work of any author and as we look specifically at what has been deemed "the best" of various time periods, seeing those influences is key in understanding more than just the words on the page.

    For example, the Declaration of Independence is more than just a call for liberty--it is also an accusatory document against the King, a demand for freedom from enslavement (even though slaves were a part of the same "colony"), and a reaction against unfair market practices.  We hold up this writing as the foundation of our nation, yet so many of us have little idea of the passion and courage that went into its creation.  In the same manner, the lengthy lines of Beowulf relate an epic tale, give us images of an epic hero, and challenge us with "old" language even in translation.  Yet this same poem reaches through the centuries to show us today the wrestlings with faith, courage, and consequence--elements of living today as well as in the early Anglo-Saxon eras. In perhaps a different challenge, you may never have read slave journals or the diaries of plantation women struggling with the question of Civil War.  These works are not "formal" presentations, but instead give us the moments in which these people wrote their hearts, passions, and logic of the times.  Around them, the life they knew was swirling in change and challenge--and we can hear their fears, expectations, exasperations, and hopes in the words of their works.

    Now, all that to say this:  your response papers are just that--response.  In directed questions about the works, you need to react and respond to what you have read.  The posted focuses of these papers give you a specific direction, but the rest is up to you.  This paper is NOT a retelling of the works or a catalog of the details in the works.  This paper IS an exploratory essay in which you share YOUR thoughts/ideas/evaluations on the writings, with the influencing guide of the essay focus.  You should follow "good writing" guides--develop your essay--but this work is not a perfunctory 5 paragraph essay.  Think--examine--evaluate--respond--support--that's the path.  Be sure to give solid support that shows specific relation to the works, including direct references to the works.   Generalities don't work in these papers--be clear on what you see and why you see it.

    Standard MLA format is the form for this essay.  All works that you submit, whether you are in a traditional class setting, a hybrid course, or a web-based study, should have the following in the upper left corner, each on a separate line, double-spaced:  Your name, Your class/section, my last name, the date.  No extra spaces are part of this format and your margins should be 1" all around, with a header at the top that includes your last name and the page number.  If you're unsure on how to create this style of document, either come see me, go to the A Center, or find a good reference book.  You should also type your paper in a standard font (Arial, Trebuchet, Times New Roman, Courier New...) in 12 pt. size.  A standard range for this paper is 3 to 6 pages.  **See note below on proper file format for Bb.**

    I assume that all references made to specifics about the works we read will be from your course text.  You should include page numbers for all quotes, paraphrases, or summaries you give in your writing, but you do not need a works cited page if you are just using our class text.

    Other source information is strongly advised against as these papers should be YOUR analysis and not a retelling of someone else's research information.  IF you feel there is other source information you must include, be sure to cite this information in your paper (whether summarized, paraphrased, or quoted), and you should have a standard citation on a Works Cited page at the end of your essay to note your source information.  To do otherwise would be to plagiarize your work. I do hold firm DSLCC's guide on plagiarism and will fail any student who intentionally misuses a source or hands in work as her/his own when it is not.  Unintentional plagiarism results in a failing grade for the paper and a warning that if plagiarism occurs again for any reason, the student will fail the course.  Tutoring services are available for students who may need help in writing skills. There are no exceptions.

     These papers will be submitted in Bb unless stated otherwise in the specific paper assignment.  You will post the papers in Assignments Links.  Your essay should be either in a MS Word document file or a Rich Text Format file.  Bb will NOT open a MS Works (wps) file or other word processing or formats.  If you submit in a format that is not accessible, your paper will be considered late and will be accessed a late penalty.  The due dates will be posted on the homepage about a week in advance.