Technology, Culture, and the Internet

English 249S-01: Advanced Expository Writing

Spring 2003

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Click on the links below to learn more about each of the major writing assignments for the course.

General Requirements for Assigned Work

The following requirements outline my expectations for your writing.

  1. You are expected to do several drafts of your paper before handing in a final copy. First drafts written at the last possible moment often betray the pressure and lack of careful writing behind them.

  2. On a related note, I am very willing to go over a draft with you if you visit me during my office hours (or arrange an appointment). Also, don't hesitate to stop by or e-mail me if you find yourself groping for topics, organization, or anything else. Communication is very important to me; I don't read minds, though--I can't help you if you don't talk to me.

  3. I shouldn't have to tell you (but I will) that spelling and grammar count. Proofread your work before turning it in. At best, poorly spelled, grammatically incorrect work indicates shoddy workmanship and lack of effort; at worst, it often signals to readers the writer's poor education or lack of intelligence. See my Grading Criteria for more information.

  4. As per the Class Policies on the Course Description, all work is due on the assigned date, unless arrangements have been made beforehand. No papers will be accepted after the due date unless arrangements have been made in advance. You may, however, hand work in before the due date.

  5. All assignments should
    • be turned in electronically if in HTML and in both printed and electronic form if in plain English. As I value my good eyesight, I don't like to spend many hours staring hard at a computer screen, so your written assignments must be printed out. And the electronic version makes it easier to detect internet plagiarism. Assignments must be RECEIVED by me before 5 pm on the due date either by e-mail attachment (for HTML assignments only) or leave your disk and paper in my mailbox in the English Department (CLAS 210). DO NOT send your documents by e-mail attachment at 4:59 pm--delays in mail delivery, while perhaps not your fault, are not mine either. You must plan ahead. You know when I expect to have the paper, so make sure I have it by then (I can send an e-mail receipt of e-mailed HTML assignments if you wish).
    • be delivered as a Microsoft Word document, or in RTF (Rich Text Format) format. HTML assignments must be sent as plain text, and you MUST remember to attach pertinent graphics. If you have your page on line, I need to have the URL.
    • conform to the page length/word count (I will check);
    • follow MLA guidelines for citations, format, margins, titles, etc. See the MLA Website for further information.

  6. All web writing
    • should be coded correctly.
    • should be readable. One of the purposes of your web writing is to be useful to others. If your audience cannot distinguish the words on the screen, your work cannot help them.
    • should be accessible. Remember that some readers in your audience are using older, slower equipment to access your work. You certainly may make your web sites exciting, but keep them easy to download. Corollary: Flash, Quicktime movies, and Javascript are strongly discouraged in this class; students end up focusing more on special effects than on the content of their pages. Use only with my permission.
    • must be viewable in a) Microsoft Internet Explorer, b) Netscape Navigator, c) Opera (optional). Web pages look different in different browsers (and in different versions of browsers); you must make sure your pages work correctly in each program.
    • must not be composed--or even checked--by software programs such as (but not limited to) Microsoft Word and Netscape Composer. Part of the goal of this course is to teach you how to use and trouble-shoot HTML on your own. You must not use these sorts of programs at all! They leave certain markers in your code that show that a coding program has been used. If I see these markers, I will assume that you have used the software to write your code and give you a zero for HTML coding.
    • be sent to me as plain text, and you MUST remember to attach pertinent graphics. If you have your page on line, I need to have the URL.
    • should comply with UConn's Policies.
    • need not follow MLA guidelines for format (i.e., you need not double space your web page), but you should still comply with citation guidelines.
    • should still be grammatically and syntactically correct, as well as spelled correctly. Your prospective employers and possibly customers may one day look at your work.
    • will be graded both on your writing and on design choices (although I will not impose my tastes).

Remember! Keep back-up copies and extra hard copies of all your work in case of loss, hard drive crashes, hungry pets, power outages, and other disasters.

 

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This page was created as technical support for Bob Curry's 249S Course, Spring 2003. Created August 12, 2001. Last updated January 20, 2003.