You must complete only two of the three papers. If you choose to complete the first two, and you wish to complete the third to replace a low grade, you may. However, you cannot replace a later paper with an earlier one. These 3-4 page papers must be typed, double-spaced, stapled, and employ professional margins and fonts (12 point Times New Roman font is best). Do not go under or over the page length if you wish to earn full credit. Assuming that you've met the basic requirements for each paper, full credit depends upon excellence along these criteria:

• Essay is grounded in a wide range of texts. Provide in-text citations of at least three separate resources to support your analysis. Classroom notes should offer background to your research, but do not count as cited evidence. You may use outside citations, but you must meaningfully cite at least one classroom reading. Attach a reference sheet in APA 4th edition format (does not count as part of page length).

• Essay is well organized. Dedicate your first paragraph to an attention-grabbing introduction and thesis which offers a clear forecast of major body points, develop specific transitions that point backward and forward between body point-paragraphs, and construct your final paragraph around a complete review and thought-provoking conclusion.

• Essay paragraphs are well structured, logically organized, and packed with information. Think of the topic and conclusion sentences as pieces of homemade bread for a sandwich. We need lots of meat (or veggies, or whatever) between the bread to make a tasty paragraph. Pay very close attention to your topic sentences, ensuring that they relate to your thesis and provide an overview for your paragraphs. Also, keep in mind that short newspaper style paragraphs, as well as paragraphs lasting a page or more, risk the appearance of being poorly developed.

• Essay is free of errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Use one of the newer word processors that offer spell and grammar-check. Also, feel free to share your draft with a trusted colleague to get advice. Of course, I will be pleased to examine drafts and provide comments - assuming that you edit your work carefully before sharing it with me. Keep in mind that the closer to deadline you provide your manuscript, the less time I'll have to examine your work.

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