1.  For the five quick quizzes that we've taken so far this term, (a) drop your lowest score, (b) add the scores on the remaining four quizzes; (c) divide the total by four to get your average.  If your average is between 10 and 11, give yourself 25 points.  If your average is between 9 and 10, give yourself 20 points.  If your average is between 8 and 9, give yourself 15 points.  If your average is between 7 and 8, give yourself 10 points.  And if your average is below 7, give yourself 0 points.

2.  The first two assignments in the course were to read the course syllabus and to send me an e-mail.  If you sent the e-mail, give yourself 5 points.  If you didn't, give yourself 0.

3.  The following question appeared at the end of our second quiz on King Lear:
Which one of the following statements does not appear in the course syllabus for our section of ENGL 2100?
(a) Class attendance means arriving and leaving at the scheduled times.
(b) To stay current with class activities, please check the NEWS link frequently (at least twice a week): the NEWS site will alert you to updates on any of the other course web pages.
(c) In determining your final quiz average, I will drop your lowest quiz grade.
(d) Class begins at 1:30: to avoid distracting others, please make every effort to arrive on time.
(e) To avoid being credited with an absence, submit a signed note from a physician, automobile repairman, parole officer, or other appropriate authority.
The correct answer, of course, was (and is) e.  If you answered correctly because you had read the syllabus, give yourself 5 points.  If you answered incorrectly or simply made a lucky guess because you hadn't yet read the syllabus, give yourself 0.

4.  According to the guidelines on the SYLLABUS, how many classes have you missed?  If you've missed none, one, or two, give yourself 10 points.  If you've missed three, give yourself five points.  If you've missed four or more, give yourself 0.

5.  Review your own class notes (not the online NOTES) to see if you have made some mention of the following based on our class discussions: (a) the trickster character in folk tales; (b) a definition of epiphany; (c) the basic characteristics of a tragic hero, according to the Greeks; (d) the medieval concept of the wheel of fortune; (e) the happy ending of Nahum Tate's version of King Lear.  If references to all five of these items appear in your own class notes, give yourself 25 points.  If you can find references to four out of the five, give yourself 20 points.  Three of the five, 15 points.  Two of the five, 10 points.  One of the five, 5 points.   None of the five, 0 points.

6.  When did you first realize that the previews on our NOTES page included questions that would later appear on our quick in-class quizzes?  If you realized this fact by the time we took our first or second quiz, give yourself 10 points.  If you realized this fact by the time we took our third or fourth quiz, give yourself 5 points.  If you only just realized this fact (or are now learning it for the first time), give yourself 0 points.

7.  The guidelines for Project #1 were posted on September 6; the finished project was originally due October 1, with an extended deadline of October 4.  If you began working on this project (and "work" means note-taking and at least the start of a draft) before September 24, give yourself 5 points; after September 24, give yourself 0 points.

8.  You were encouraged to submit your draft (or a portion of a draft) to me by September 30 for feedback via e-mail.  If you submitted a draft (or a portion of a draft), give yourself 10 points.  If you did not, give yourself 0 points.

9.  Where can you find, within a few seconds, links to (a) summaries and analyses of King Lear; (b) comparisons between A Thousand Acres and King Lear? (c) essays and discussion questions on Things Fall Apart; and (d) a collection of African-American folk tales?  If you immediately answered the RESOURCES page on this course web site, give yourself 5 points.  If you hesitated or didn't know the answer, give yourself 0 points.

10.  [BONUS QUESTION]  When you turned in your finished Project #1, did you include rough drafts and a self-evaluation?  If you did, give yourself 5 points.   If you didn't (or if you haven't turned in your project by the deadline), give yourself 0 points. 

SELF-EVALUATION: Total your points for the ten questions above.  Here's how the points would look on a conventional grade scale:
90-105:  A
80-89:    B
70-79:    C
60-69:    D
0-59:      F
So, roughly speaking, that's how you're doing at midterm.  The questions themselves should indicate clearly enough what your strengths and weaknesses are at this stage of the course.  That said, I'll be happy to review these results with you and advise you accordingly. 

Are the grades above a prediction of final grades?  Not at all--or, at least, not necessarily.  It's not too late to begin spending more time on the reading assignments (getting an early start, taking notes on what you read, using the online resources for review) and/or to go back and re-read more carefully material we've already covered.  It's not too late to begin using the course web site, following the guidelines on the syllabus, taking better class notes, and getting an earlier start on all assignments. 

If you're prepared to make the effort, I'm here to help you.  If you're not (and I'm not fussing: there may be many my-life-is-a-mess-and-I'm-behind-in-everything reasons you can't), consider that the last day to drop the course without penalty is October 6.

English 2100 is taught by Dr. Richard Nordquist.
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Solms Hall 211C
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, Georgia 31419
912-921-5991
e-mail:            

 updated
13 December 2004