What is a Q&A?
A Q&A is a relatively brief (2-3 double-spaced pages) writing assignment that asks each student to answer in essay form one question (or, depending on the course, defend a conclusion/claim of his or her choice) and to raise two further questions about a particular aspect of our class readings/discussions. In most cases, each student will compose an essay approximately every two weeks. Typically, I will post the question along with a due date by Friday evening in the margin of my main weblog in the "assignments" page corresponding to the course.
Why write a Q&A?
(1) Q&As encourage critical, careful, deliberate reading of texts — readings which begin with thorough exposition and end with critical interpretation; (2) Q&As create a more permanent (written) record of the reader's reflections on a text and its author's (apparent) intentions; (3) Q&As, qua a literary form, allow students to practice and perfect their own artistic products; and (4) Q&As can promote and assist classroom/online discussion of texts.
How does one successfully complete a Q&A?
A complete Q&A consists of these four parts (their approximate value indicated in percentages):
1. (70%) Each student produces a 500-750-word (minimally, 2 full, double-spaced pages in non-honors, 100-level courses, and 3 full, double-spaced pages in honors and upper-division courses) answer to the question I pose (or in defense of the conclusion/claim you choose). Answers should be typed and free of grammatical/stylistic errors (see the "Writing Checklist" and Adrian Piper's "10 Commandments of Philosophical Writing"). In most cases, answers must take the form of well researched, argumentative (or "critical" or "persuasive") essays. I will, on occasion, allow other literary forms. I've outlined the format for composing these essays in Handouts CR1, CR2, and CR3. Two related components, therefore, must be present:
2. (15%) A complete CRITO outline (on a separate page from the main essay; see the example in red included on Handout CR3); and
3. (10%) Full bibliographic reference to and use of, minimally, one outside resource (a resource other than the target reading(s) I assign). Properly cite all quoted or paraphrased material. Any established style is acceptable (MLA, APA, etc.) My only concern is that the method you choose is consistent, complete, and accurate.
And finally,
4. (5%) each student then composes two well-formed and thoughtful questions related to the topic at hand, avoiding rhetorical ("who's to say what is really true?") or simple ("how do you pronounce Kant?") questions in favor of substantive issues of genuine concern to the student. It is not necessary to answer the questions you raise. Simply number the questions "1" and "2" and position them at the bottom of your essay.
How are Q&As graded?
Each student will receive, in traditional, face-to-face courses, a grade of "check minus minus," “check minus,” “check,” or “check plus,” corresponding to the letter grades D, C, B, and A (I will assign letter grades for all online courses). Though grading is a fallible affair, in general, most Q&As will receive a “check” or "check minus" (B or C) unless obviously deficient or exemplary in some respect. For an explanation of any abbreviations included in my commentary, consult my "Editorial Suggestions Key."
Note well: For online courses, papers must be emailed before midnight on the due date. In all cases, late papers (absent a legitimate reason as outlined in the MCLA student handbook) receive little to no credit.
A Q&A is a relatively brief (2-3 double-spaced pages) writing assignment that asks each student to answer in essay form one question (or, depending on the course, defend a conclusion/claim of his or her choice) and to raise two further questions about a particular aspect of our class readings/discussions. In most cases, each student will compose an essay approximately every two weeks. Typically, I will post the question along with a due date by Friday evening in the margin of my main weblog in the "assignments" page corresponding to the course.
Why write a Q&A?
(1) Q&As encourage critical, careful, deliberate reading of texts — readings which begin with thorough exposition and end with critical interpretation; (2) Q&As create a more permanent (written) record of the reader's reflections on a text and its author's (apparent) intentions; (3) Q&As, qua a literary form, allow students to practice and perfect their own artistic products; and (4) Q&As can promote and assist classroom/online discussion of texts.
How does one successfully complete a Q&A?
A complete Q&A consists of these four parts (their approximate value indicated in percentages):
1. (70%) Each student produces a 500-750-word (minimally, 2 full, double-spaced pages in non-honors, 100-level courses, and 3 full, double-spaced pages in honors and upper-division courses) answer to the question I pose (or in defense of the conclusion/claim you choose). Answers should be typed and free of grammatical/stylistic errors (see the "Writing Checklist" and Adrian Piper's "10 Commandments of Philosophical Writing"). In most cases, answers must take the form of well researched, argumentative (or "critical" or "persuasive") essays. I will, on occasion, allow other literary forms. I've outlined the format for composing these essays in Handouts CR1, CR2, and CR3. Two related components, therefore, must be present:
2. (15%) A complete CRITO outline (on a separate page from the main essay; see the example in red included on Handout CR3); and
3. (10%) Full bibliographic reference to and use of, minimally, one outside resource (a resource other than the target reading(s) I assign). Properly cite all quoted or paraphrased material. Any established style is acceptable (MLA, APA, etc.) My only concern is that the method you choose is consistent, complete, and accurate.
4. (5%) each student then composes two well-formed and thoughtful questions related to the topic at hand, avoiding rhetorical ("who's to say what is really true?") or simple ("how do you pronounce Kant?") questions in favor of substantive issues of genuine concern to the student. It is not necessary to answer the questions you raise. Simply number the questions "1" and "2" and position them at the bottom of your essay.
How are Q&As graded?
Each student will receive, in traditional, face-to-face courses, a grade of "check minus minus," “check minus,” “check,” or “check plus,” corresponding to the letter grades D, C, B, and A (I will assign letter grades for all online courses). Though grading is a fallible affair, in general, most Q&As will receive a “check” or "check minus" (B or C) unless obviously deficient or exemplary in some respect. For an explanation of any abbreviations included in my commentary, consult my "Editorial Suggestions Key."
Note well: For online courses, papers must be emailed before midnight on the due date. In all cases, late papers (absent a legitimate reason as outlined in the MCLA student handbook) receive little to no credit.
