Information About the Diagnostic Essay

The Composition Program suggests that all instructors of all composition classes have students complete a writing sample or diagnostic essay during the first week of classes. In this course, the diagnostic essay focuses on the reading read for and discussed during the second day of the course (the New York Times "Divorce Debate" and Gallagher's "Why Make Divorce Easy," along with the response letters). As part of the preparation for the discussion on the second day of class, you should have completed a written summary of the articles and thought about the questions posed in the text at the top of page 19 (on shared assumptions) and at the bottom of page 20 (on whether what you had read changed your mind on the issue at all). These and issues raised and discussed in class should help you respond to question # 2 on p. 21 in the text. You may set your essay up either as a letter, as outlined in the text, or as an essay. While the essay will be written in class, you may prepare a list of your major points and/or an outline prior to class to use in writing the essay. The essay overall should be no longer than 250 words (the equivalent of one typed, double-spaced page, or two-three handwritten pages, depending on the size of your handwriting).

The diagnostic essay will not be graded with a letter grade, but using a check, check/plus, plus system. It counts toward the "participation" segment of the final grade, and really is used more as a benchmark for your writing than for any other purpose. It will allow me to assess your writing and determine if you should be given help in such areas as grammar, style, and mechanics, or if you should perhaps schedule some appointments in the ALS Writing Lab. It also gives you a chance to see the types of comments and suggestions I make in response to your work prior to completing a graded assignment.

Last updated 01/10/00