• An A essay (outstanding) presents a cogent, well-articulated critique, demonstrates a high degree of competence in writing, demonstrates facility with conventional correctness, includes a variety of sentence structures, stylistic devices of rhetorical nature, complex thought and diction, logical organization. It will provide original and provocative ideas, show development and complexity of thought appropriate to college level, and support abstract concepts with well-selected, relevant details and examples from the literature. Writing in this category will reflect serious, mature, and original ideas at a high level. It will comprehend the dynamics or polarities inherent in the work of literature at a significant level above the simple and superficial realm. It will demonstrate superior comprehension of a text's literary language. It will also show sensitivity to the figurative and general metaphoric nature of the text.
• A B essay (strong) presents a well-developed critique and demonstrates good control of the elements of effective writing. It will be similar to an A paper in readability and mechanics, although its understanding of the literature and/the assignment may be slighted, or somewhat superficial, may provide more general supporting evidence, and display a slight weakness in organization and structure. A few minor errors in logic may be present, but the basic content is very good. An essay in this category usually demonstrates a clear, solid grasp of the ideas, but is more conventional and not as well organized and developed for rhetorical effect.
• A C essay (adequate) presents a competent critique and demonstrates adequate control of writing. It may have occasional problems with mechanics, but it contains no serious errors. It may have some paragraph development and transition difficulties, sentence structure may be somewhat awkward and simple. Errors in diction and idiom may occur. Nevertheless, a C essay will demonstrate a solid awareness of the significance of literature, and will display a good, competent understanding of it. The supporting evidence is often irrelevant, and it usually introduces irrelevancies and vague paraphrases. An essay in this category is average; it generally has good ideas, but lacks development, fluency, and preciseness.
• A D essay (limited) will treat the assignment in a superficial manner, misinterpret the literature, or give irrelevant and cryptic supporting material. The thesis statement is usually poorly conceived. There will be marked deficiencies in organization, a serious lack of development, and contain many elementary flaws in grammar, diction, mechanics, sentence structure, and coherence. Even though a D essay may contain some moments of insight, it has serious problems in readability and mechanics.
• An F essay will fail to fulfill the assignment, will lack any comprehension of the literature, and express general confusion regarding the issues. Generally, it also has very serious problems in the areas of style (readability) and mechanics. Any paper that does not demonstrate basic competency in the English language, regardless of how hard the student tries, will not pass the standards set by the department of English. Students who anticipate having problems in this area should sign up for the English writing lab and arrange for special help.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The misrepresentation of another's work as one's own, whether the original work is published or not, is plagiarism and will result in a failing grade. The incident will also be reported to the dean of students for possible further action. All quotes must be enclosed in quotation marks or, when more than three lines, put in an indented block. Full citation of the original author and source must also be included. Copies of SJSU's Policy on Academic Dishonesty are available in the office of the Dean of Student Services.

DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES
Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should register with the Disabled Student Services Department. Please advise the professor immediately of any special needs.
 
 

 
 
 
  READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE FOR SECTION 2: TR 12:00-13:15
The following schedule may be slightly modified during the course of the semester, but students will be notified of any change at least one class day in advance. Detailed descriptions of the exams, reports and project will be distributed in class. All reading assignments must be completed by the first date listed, and texts should always be brought to class on the day they are to be discussed. Titles with an asterisk (*) are films, which will be viewed in class and/or the media center.

 
 
 
 
  READING AND ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE FOR SECTION 4: R 16:00-18:45
The following schedule may be slightly modified during the course of the semester, but students will be notified of any change at least one class day in advance. Detailed descriptions of the exams, reports and project will be distributed in class. All reading assignments must be completed by the first date listed, and texts should always be brought to class on the day they are to be discussed. Titles with an asterisk (*) are films, which will be viewed in class and/or the media center.

Links to help you plan the class project:

Click here to search for books by subject, author and title: 

Information on censorship from Banned Books Online

Information about children's authors and illustrators from Kay Vandergrift's Children's Literature site.

A wealth of resources from The Children's Literature Web Guide.

The Fairrosa Cyber Library of Children's Literature.

The Internet Public Library's Youth Division.

Hone your research skills: help with using electronic sources and databases, evaluating sources, using databases, and quoting and citing sources.

Help with using MLA Style.

Help with writing and editing from Writing Help Online.