Remember that the purpose of these essay is to make connections between the content of the reading and class discussions and your own area. This could involve speculating about future uses or developments. It will definitely require that you go beyond the readings or mere descriptions into analysis and evaluation and creation.

The essays are two to three pages in length doubled spaced so there is not a lot of room to add lots of details. You don't have to do any literature citing unless you happen to be making a connection with some other article in your field. Then a reference to the article would be helpful. The essays are intended to be your ideas, not a summary of someone else's.

They will be graded first on the basis of the quality of the connections and ideas presented, and second on the skill with which you make your case. I will also be assessing the quality of the writing. You should be writing for a general audience of professionals not necessarily in your field but knowledgeable and well-read.

The first two essays may be reworked on the basis of my feedback and comments from your colleagues. Reworked essays must be completed before the third essay is submitted. After that, they stand as graded.

The points will be assigned as follows:

9-10 Outstanding connections and speculations on the usefulness of theory;

quality writing


6-8 Insightful connections and good writing


4-5 Basic description of connections but not insights; acceptable writing


3 Connections unclear


2 Factual or conceptual errors


1 Mechanical errors as well

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