SYLLABUS: FIRST RESPONSE PAPERS

• First response papers will be assigned at the end of each class session.
• First response papers must be typed (Cambria 12), double-spaced and no less than one (1) page and no more than two (2) pages in length.
• First response papers must include the student’s first and last name, assignment due date, the professor’s name, and the name of the class in the top, left-hand corner of the page (all single spaced), then skip two lines and the title centered, all caps, and bolded. 
• First response paper assignments will also be posted on the class blog / website.
• First response papers exceeding one page shall be stapled together in the upper left-hand corner.
• First response papers are not a summary of the reading, but are a reflection on what was read and a documentation of thoughts, feelings, questions, comments.
• First response papers should have a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) direct quotes from the literature.  Direct quotes from the literature should not exceed 20% of the length of the entire first response paper.
• First response papers are due at the start of class (i.e., at 8:00 AM) on the date due. 
• Late, incomplete, or unstapled papers will not be accepted and the student will be given a score of zero (0) points. 
• Malfunctioning software, computers, and/or printers (whether at the student’s home or on campus or at any other location), or an inability to use computer software with the proficiency necessary and/or sufficiently to prepare a paper that meets the guidelines, is NOT an acceptable reason for missing deadlines.