Delta State University
SOC 101: Principles of Sociology
Summer II Semester 2007

Informal Writing

 

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The informal essays have three primary purposes:  to help you organize your thoughts on the day's topic before discussion, to reflect on the readings, and to evaluate the discussions.  In addition, these essays provide you with the opportunity to practice and improve your writing skills.

 

Bring your writing notebook to class and use it for each informal writing exercise.  Put the date and topic at the top of each essay.

 

Evaluation of the informal essays is informal as well.  Turn in your notebooks at the end of each class so the instructor can review your writing.  The instructor may make comments, and will put a plus, check, or minus on each essay.  A plus indicates that you have completed the essay in a thoughtful manner.  A check indicates that you have done a satisfactory job on the essays.  A minus indicates that essays are missing or that they do not reflect substantial thought about the material.  If you come to class and do the informal writing regularly, you can expect to receive a good score at the end of the semester.

 

Note that the informal essays are meant to be done in class at the time they are assigned.  You should not attempt to do informal essays at any other time.  You will not be penalized for missing informal writing on days when you have an excused absence.

 

The informal writing is worth a total of 20 points over the course of the semester.