POSC 340 "Media & Politics"

Final Grades - Fall, 1999

Below are listed your final grades for the '99F semester, according to the 4-digit numbers you provided for this purpose. These are revisions reported to the registrar on 12/20/99; it may take a few days for these revisions to be officially recorded. Your email explains the changes.

At the bottom of the page are general comments, applicable to many of your final papers. Specific comments accompany each of your papers, which may be collected at the main office of the Political Science Department, 347 Smith Hall.

• Some of you chose very creative topic ideas, which made for interesting presentations and papers. They also demonstrated the thought and effort you put into your project. Others chose to review the basic material we've covered in class.
• Although visual props contributed to some of the best presentations, some of the best were prop-free. And visuals were used in some of the poorest.
• The best final presentations featured well-organized subject matter, articulate presentations, ability to handle challenging questions and avoidance of rambling and reading from your paper.
• The best presentations were not always linked with the best papers.
• Many of you don't know the difference between "affect" and "effect," and how those words are used in context. Considering how many of you use these words, you might consider spending a bit of time reviewing that subject. (Generally, in the context in which most of you use these words, "affect" is used as a verb; "effect" is used as a noun.)
• "Media" are plural. "Medium" is singular. Pronouns and verbs should follow appropriately.
• Many of you apparently did not re-read your papers before submitting them. It's a good idea. You'd be amazed at what you'll find before I do. Does each sentence make sense? Have you punctuated and capitalized properly and consistently? Did you use your spell-checker? If so, did you re-read afterwards to be sure the words you used have the meaning you intend? Did you remember to attach your bibliography? Do your source references in the text coincide with your bibliography? Did you submit a draft of your paper, or the real McCoy? Are your pages in correct order?
• Format suggestions: Page numbers will help you make sure your pages are in order. Your name on each page will be sure your paper stays together. (So will a staple or other permanent binder. Paper clips don't accomplish that feat.)
• Many of you would benefit from spending some time working with the UD Writing Center. Your ideas are good, and, in many cases your writing is serviceable. But to achieve the kind of "polish" which will get your work read by others in real-life-after-college comes only from more diligent effort and some concrete tips from Writing Center experts. You will be well rewarded for any investment you make in polishing your writing skills.
• Content counts. Quality of writing counts. Creativity counts. Evidence of thinking and analysis counts. Format, presentation and mechanics of writing count. Back to the top