POSC 2200 – Conclusions Russell Alan Williams Department of Political Science

Unit Eight: Conclusions Outline: 1. Final Exam 2. Essays

Final Exam: Time:Tuesday, Dec 17, 2013 (12:00 to 2:00) Location:Gym Format:Three Sections 1) Multiple Choice 2) Short Answer 3) Essay Similar to mid term – sections will be “ weighted ”

Essay Discussion: Average Grade = 71% Average Grade = 71% Office hours – Tuesday and Thursdays 3:30 to 4:30 (SN2031) Office hours – Tuesday and Thursdays 3:30 to 4:30 (SN2031) Grading scribble definitions: Grading scribble definitions: “awk” or “awkward” – The sentence is grammatically incorrect and hard to read “awk” or “awkward” – The sentence is grammatically incorrect and hard to read “source” – you need a supporting citation to explain where the information you are providing came from “source” – you need a supporting citation to explain where the information you are providing came from “run on” – a run on-sentence “run on” – a run on-sentence Note grammatical corrections sometimes stop after a page or two if there are too many Note grammatical corrections sometimes stop after a page or two if there are too many

General “problem areas” with papers: Arguments & thesis statements: Arguments & thesis statements: “The Good”: “The Good”: Most of you know how to do this and made good arguments; however, even for those who have mastered this: Most of you know how to do this and made good arguments; however, even for those who have mastered this: Listing the “pros” and “cons” of an issue is not as persuasive as a focused argument Listing the “pros” and “cons” of an issue is not as persuasive as a focused argument A thesis should not be left “hanging” – it must be supported throughout the paper A thesis should not be left “hanging” – it must be supported throughout the paper “The Bad”: “The Bad”: Some theses were hard to find, and some were poorly written Some theses were hard to find, and some were poorly written Never, never screw up the grammar of your thesis statement – it is the most important part of your paper Never, never screw up the grammar of your thesis statement – it is the most important part of your paper “The Ugly”: “The Ugly”: Some of you announced that you did not have an argument(?) - Read the syllabus!!!! Some of you announced that you did not have an argument(?) - Read the syllabus!!!!

General “problem areas” with papers: g Research: Research: “The Good”: “The Good”: Again, most did well with this... Again, most did well with this... However, even for those that did well, why stop at the minimum number of sources????? However, even for those that did well, why stop at the minimum number of sources????? Make sure you are using your citation system properly Make sure you are using your citation system properly “The Bad”: “The Bad”: Some of you listed six sources in your “works cited” or “bibliography”, but did not cite all six – you were required to do so... Some of you listed six sources in your “works cited” or “bibliography”, but did not cite all six – you were required to do so... I could not identify some of the sources cited??? I could not identify some of the sources cited??? “The Ugly”: “The Ugly”: Papers with no citations at all???? Papers with no citations at all???? The syllabus and assignment were clear - you must cite sources to support your claims – this is a research paper!!! The syllabus and assignment were clear - you must cite sources to support your claims – this is a research paper!!!

General “problem areas” with papers: Technical Problems – not as important in grading, but must be improved in the future: Technical Problems – not as important in grading, but must be improved in the future: “The Good”: “The Good”: Many of you write really well, but everyone needs to proof read more! Many of you write really well, but everyone needs to proof read more! Try getting someone else to read your paper Try getting someone else to read your paper Although some style guides don’t require it, you should always have a title Although some style guides don’t require it, you should always have a title “The Bad”: “The Bad”: Poor writing and poor presentation can obscure the quality of your ideas.... Poor writing and poor presentation can obscure the quality of your ideas.... “The Ugly”: “The Ugly”: Writing in a “spoken word” fashion is difficult to do in a grammatically correct and readable fashion – don’t do this! Writing in a “spoken word” fashion is difficult to do in a grammatically correct and readable fashion – don’t do this! Due Dates!!!!! Due Dates!!!!!