-- FOQs --
Frequently Observed Qualities
of Journals, Draft Essays and Exams

After reading journal entries, draft essays and exams, I enter comments on the last page of your journal.
I use the numbers below which regularizes and expands the range of comments I am able to make on each individual journal.

These numbered comments also give you some regularized summary guidance on what I hope to see in your work.
Attention to this page gives you a useful "heads up" about how you might organize and enter your notes, draft essays, and exams in your journal.

The numbered list is divided into three categories, depending on our progress through the academic term, and the specifics of our syllabus.

I will put a circle around the numbers I enter when I want it to communicate praise and encouragement to keep up the pace.
I will put a square around the number when I want it to communicate critical encouragement to improve things.
Any of the numbered FOQs might be absent from my evaluations if they do not warrant a circle or a square, if they are, in other words, "OK".

(A) JOURNAL AS A WHOLE

1. Bold and clear name label on journal cover
2. Comprehensive journal table of contents, identifying & locating lecture notes, exercises, readings, draft essays and exams
3. Evidence of 9 hours/week reading and writing
4. Breadth of learning
5. Judicious use of SAC chronologies and reading suggestions
6. Journal-worthy exercises, as enumerated & defined on electronic syllabus
7. Map room tour [not required in all courses]
8. Hand-drawn or personalized maps [not required in all courses]
9. A&AA library tour [not required in all courses]

(B) DRAFT ESSAYS

1O. Informative title which relates your essay to course themes
11. Clear introductory expression of “theme” or “main point”, especially in re. "significance"
12. Expansion on your theme or topic in the main body of the essay
13. Good summary conclusion
14. Good mixture of “facts” and “interpretation” (EG= in re. "significance")
15. Primary document(s) at the center of attention (when called for)
16. Secondary source(s) aid interpretation
17. Sources clearly identified
18. Clearly based on materials and themes presented by course

(C) EXAMS

19. Exam essays make clear historical statements
20. Essays display awareness of different interpretive possibilities
21. IDs emphasize "historical significance"
22. Detail from course readings & lectures reinforce interpretive points
23. Avoidance of duplication in draft essays and exams
24. Judicious use of exam time-period