English 216: Assignment #4

Reflecting on Making Conjectures

Please address the following questions about your writing process and the final draft of your paper. You may respond in the form of a letter, an essay, or by addressing each question by number. Be sure to put your name on this document, print it, and hand it in with your final draft.

1. How did you go about selecting your issue/problem? Why did you choose the one you chose? That is, what about it appealed to you?

2. How did you determine your paper's structure? Are you pleased with the result? Why or why not?

3. What do you think is the most successful aspect of your paper and why?

4. What do you think is the least successful aspect of your paper and why?

5. Briefly list the conjectures and support you've incorporated in your paper. Why did you choose these as opposed to others?

6. What is the aim or purpose of the paper?

7. How did you go about establishing your credibility and authority as a writer?

8. In what ways have you sought to connect with your audience?

9. Using the grading criteria detailed in the handout "Some Thoughts on Grading," as well as your own working definitions of what makes a paper an A, B, C, etc. grade your paper, presenting a clearly supported argument that demonstrates your reasons for assigning the grade you would place on your paper. I'm not looking for "I deserve an A because I worked hard." Remember, hard work is a minimal expectation and does not guarantee a good grade. You're being graded at this stage on the final product and not on your effort during the writing process. Rather, I want you to consider the overall quality of your paper as a basis for the grade. This is an opportunity for you to evaluate your work and to make a case for a particular grade; I reserve the right to override your evaluation, but if you present a strong and well-supported argument I may be persuaded.