An Example

Breaking Down the "Criteria for Grading"

_____ a) Writer is able to label the pattern of human behavior that reveals a theme. 10pts.

[For this section you need to simply point out what you think the character is truly trying to say to the reader.]

_____ b) Writer is able to label the effect of this behavior on a central character. 10pts.

[Relate this one to 1a. This is self-explanatory.]

_____ c) Writer stays away from paragraphs that merely summarize plot. 10pts.

[This is self-explanatory.]

(Reveals student has been willing to LISTEN to the idea implied throughout the text).

_____a) Writer refers to repeated connotations that support symbolic meanings implied through the text. 10pts.

[Based on what you wrote in 1a, write what types of things you see throughout the text that support 1a.]

_____b) Writer elaborates on these connotations (develops original discussion) 10pts.

[Go further in to detail as to why you believe that what you chose in 1a is the theme.]

_____c) Writer quotes at least two pertinent passages from each third of the text, as evidence that the interpretation inferred is valid throughout the paper. 10pts.

[Pick at least two passages from the text to quote in your forum. The purpose of this is to add supporting arguments to what you wrote in 1a.]

Student elaborates on prior knowledge or sources noted in journal or rough draft to fulfill the following content requirements:

_____a) As reader, student connects the oppositions in the text to generalized oppositions outside the text. 10pts.

[Here you have to try to compare what the author was trying to say (what you should have for 1a) with what was believed at the time.]

_____b) As writer, student discusses the cultural code that sustains the implied (unsaid) text.10pts.

[Go further into detail with what you have written for 3a. Be sure to discuss as best as you can what was accepted in that society at that time.]

_____c) And considers where the author's sympathies lie. 10pts.

[Generally the author will give some hint as to which side of an argument he is on. Simply label which side he is on and discuss why you feel that is the case.]

_____d) Then as writer, student discusses the status of that cultural code (ideology) in terms of who or what is privileged and restricted in the student's own culture. 10pts.

[Based on 3a, elaborate on how those same kinds of ideas are in today’s society. If they are the same, say so. If they have changed dramatically, describe why.]

____Evidence of proofreading for mechanics, coherence, and uniformly full paragraphs. (up to 25 points may be deducted)

[Self-explanatory]

 "Test Your Knowledge" about Forums

1. _____ A forum entry should address the criteria for grading as well as a

summary of the author’s themes and cultural codes.

2. _____ A forum response is an agreement/disagreement of the students entry.

3. _____ Errors in spelling and grammar will not have an adverse affect on

a forum entry.

4. _____ An essay or summary can be submitted into the forum.

5. _____ Reading an author’s autobiography is an essential part of the back- ground work needed to ensure a successful forum entry.

6. Which of these are needed to make sure your forum entry is a success?

1. student participation
2. close reading of all the assigned text
3. the use of the informal discussion room
4. all of the above.

7. Which of the following statements are correct?

1. Any text used in a forum entry that is not the writer’s should be cited with a page and paragraph number.
2. You can use text from another student’s work to support statements made in your entry.

8. The criteria for grading assist in ____________

1. Content C. content and development
2. Development D. finding a theme and cultural code

9.  A thesis statement ____________

1. helps develop a cultural code statement
2. shows implied (unsaid text)
3. help the writer to focus on a theme
4. none of the above

10.  Proofreading, coherence, and uniformly full paragraphs are included in what part of the criteria for grading?

1. text in text
2. text against text
3. editing
4. reviewing forum entry

Subject: Bryant and Poe

Posted by: T. Arnold on 22:38:17 9/29/2000:

While reading Bryant's poems, he seems to have a way of connecting nature with life and afterlife. A characteristic of romanticism is love of nature; Bryant takes the love of nature and everyday life and incorporates them into his poems. The first line of Thanatopsis goes, "To him who in the love of Nature holds," he is referencing the love of nature in one self. He seems to reference nature as if it was a his mother, "she has a voice of gladness and a smile." It is an interesting and realistic way to look at Mother Nature. He describes life and death by using examples of nature. Bryant was raised to believe that the fall of Adam and Eve also meant the fall of nature. This is possibly what could have encouraged Bryant to write such poems. Although all of his poems weren't relating to nature, the ones assigned in the book are. He speaks of waterfowl and the Prairies. Bryant did quite a bit of traveling in his days and used the experience to write poems and articles.

Poe also used nature in his poems. He doesn't seem to capture much of the after life like Bryant did. Poe's work seems to have more of a sense of individualism to it. The poem he wrote about the raven starts off, "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary," he is speaking of himself in that line. His poems seem to tell a story that you imagine him living. They also relate to what we experience everyday. Most of us have woken in the night and pondered things. I think you can relate to Poe's work more easily then Bryant's because he puts his work in an "I" sense where Bryant rarely use the word. I think that when you do use the word "I" you capture the individual, unlike Bryant who's work some may not be able to relate to.

Subject: Ligeia

Posted by: a student

Poe goes to great lengths to describe his beloved Ligeia. He describes her having exquisite beauty. "It was the radiance of an opium dream" (1499) he speaks of her in such a state that she almost does not seem real. He seems to have a distinct attraction to her eyes. "For eyes we have no model in the remotely antique" (1500) I think he is trying to get the reader to understand that all eyes are different and there is not one model, there are many. He describes Lageia's eyes as larger then the ordinary eyes of our race. (1500) He states that he felt aroused with her large and luminous orbs. It seems like eyes can tell a story about a person's soul. They hold the power to tell truth and lies. In Ligeia's case, Poe was so taken by them that he would call upon her name in the middle of the night, after she had died and he re-married. When his second wife became ill, only two months after their marriage Poe may have felt like he was re-living what he went through with Ligeia. He never described his new wife's (Rowena) eyes quite the way that he did Ligeia. Even when sitting by his sick Rowena's bedside his thoughts and devotion were on his dear Ligeia. Even in the dying moments of Rowena's, Poe vision seeing Ligeia's spirit in front of him. He envisions it as Rowena but then he notices it is Ligeia by her eyes.

I think that Poe's undying devotion and love to Ligeia's made him believe that he was seeing her again. He doesn't recognize her until he sees her eyes again. "These are the full and the black wild eyes of the lady, the lady Ligeia."

Throughout the entire short story Poe mentions the eyes of Ligeia. Even when she came back in ghost form he recognized her by her eyes. Poe may have been letting the audience know how powerful the eye can be.

Commentary on the Example

The writer attempts to label a pattern of human behavior that will reveal a theme (1A) falls short. The writer instead uses personal information that leads to a reason for writing stories and not a theme. The writer does use quotes from the text (2C) that is valid in the body, but because there is no thesis statement it is hard to make a connection between the two. The writer also elaborates on connotation (2B) as they pertain to her quotes that may stimulate discussion in the forum. Level 3 a,b,c,&,d are not addressed. No cultural codes are identified either in the author’s or student’s time.

Eric Majka wrote the following in the fall semester of 2000. Most of the sentences have been numbered to give an example of a forum entry that met the entire "Criteria for Grading" and which also received a 100%.

Test Answer Sheet

True/False

F

F

F

F

F

D - All of these will lead to a successful entry.

B - Text from any author when relevant can be used if cited properly.

C - Using the criteria for grading is an invaluable tool in helping to develop

an entry that is that is easy to follow.

C - A theme leads to a uniformed and coherent entry.

C - These are all equally important in your initial entry as well as your response.

Missing 1A & B, 2B, 3A, B, C, & D