教學大綱
正如這門課的名稱，本課程的目的是要讓你精通短文的寫作和修辭的傳統常例。有學者說，短文是「藝術和哲學之間的交會處」，也有人說短文是「一個自我在世界中找到自身模式的地方，也是世界在自我中找到運轉模式的地方」。雖然短文是古代流傳下來的散文傳統之一部份，但它也是非常現代且普遍的寫作形式，在印刷媒體和網路上都看得到。本課程將著重於短文的功能：
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對其他文章以及本文/數位資料做評論
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透過經驗的敘述，探討個人經驗的意義
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對一般大眾傳遞專門知識的媒介
到學期結束時，你將會熟悉課堂上閱讀材料，以及自己作品中的每一種模式。
教學要求
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指定閱讀（參見下列時間表）
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5篇短文（每篇5-7頁），草稿和最後完稿
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2次口頭報告（約5-10分鐘長）
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參與課堂討論
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課程的同儕評論（參見下述）
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同儕評論要用的影印本
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課堂上及課堂外的寫作練習（1-2頁）
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資料保存夾（參見下述）
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按時出席上課（參見下述）
備註：如果你的短文有一次不及格；沒有參加同儕評論；或者缺席超過五堂課，你就不可能通過這門課。沒有參加課堂討論，則將視情節嚴重程度，從期末成績扣半級分或一級分。
出席規定
由於這門課是寫作和解說的研究室，你必須每堂課都出席且準時到教室。只允許5次未請假的缺席。
未出席同儕評論，將計為一次缺席，期末作文成績降2級分（譬如，B降為C+）。2次遲到=1次缺席。如果你在開始講課之後才到教室，就算遲到。.
如果因個人的緊急狀況、嚴重的生病或受傷，可不用來上課，但必須盡快告訴我缺席的原因。〔在這種情況之下，需要有系主任的通知才能請假。〕因宗教儀式而缺席是准許的，但得事先告知我。
資料夾
在這學期，你必須有個資料夾（或其他工具）收集你的草稿和最後完稿。在這門課的最後一天，這個資料夾要交給我評分以代替期末考。
同儕評論
你的每篇草稿都必須經過同儕評論，也就是說，除了我的意見，你也會聽到同學們的意見。這個過程的設計是要讓你的每一篇短文能得到多元看法，並模仿出版過程中，短文所經歷的編輯過程。如果你勤加練習，同儕評論會讓你在讀自己的短文上獲益無窮，並成為他人作品的良好對話者。
每堂同儕評論，你都必須備妥幾份你的草稿。影印是你的責任，上課前必需準備妥當。
評分標準
參閱評分標準單(PDF)
剽竊
Plagiarism
當別人的作品被使用或被仿照得像你自己的作品時，就是剽竊。剽竊是學校所唾棄的。麻省理工不容許剽竊，故意剽竊的後果相當嚴重，有被開除的可能。請再看一次麻省理工有關剽竊的政策，進入「寫作中心」的網站就可看到。
彈性措施
經過我同意，第2、3或4篇短文的最後定稿可以遲交。〔就像Daffy鴨吞了鈾-238，你只能用一次。〕這個辦法是考慮到其他事務可能佔用你的時間，請妥善使用。
Course Description
As the course title suggests, this class is meant to acquaint you with the literary and rhetorical tradition of the essay, a genre which has been described by one scholar as "the meeting ground between art and philosophy," and by another as "the place where the self finds a pattern in the world, and the world finds a pattern in the self". Though the essay is part of a tradition of prose which stretches back to antiquity, it is also a thoroughly modern and popular form of writing, found in print media and on the web. This class will emphasize a specific range of the essay's functions:
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The essay as commentary on the writing of others and on textual/numerical data.
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The essay as the discovery of meaning in personal experience through the narration of experience.
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The essay as a vehicle conveying specialized knowledge to a general audience.
By the end of the semester, you will be familiar with each of these modes in the class reading and in your own writing.
Course Requirements
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Assigned reading (see schedule below)
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5 essays (5-7 pages each), rough and final drafts
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2 oral reports (5-10 minutes long)
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Participation in class discussion
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In-class peer review (see below)
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Peer-review-related photocopying
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In-class and out-of-class writing exercises (1-2 pp)
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Maintenance of a portfolio (see below)
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Regular attendance (see below)
NOTE: It is not possible to pass the course if you have failed one of the essays, if you have failed to participate in peer review, or if you have more than 5 absences. Failure to participate in class discussion will result in a deduction of one-half or one grade point from the final grade, depending on the severity of the problem.
Attendance Policy
Because this course is a laboratory for composition and interpretation, you must be present at every class and arrive in a timely fashion. Only 5 unexcused absences are permitted.
An absence on a peer review day will count as a regular absence and result in the deduction of two grade-steps from the final draft (e.g. B reduced to C+). 2 latenesses = 1 absence. You are late if you arrive at class after I take attendance.
In case of personal emergency, serious illness, or injury, do not come to class, but inform me of the reason for your absence as soon as possible. [A dean's note will be necessary to be excused from class under these circumstances.] Absence for religious observance is automatically excused; nonetheless, please inform me before the fact.
Portfolio
During the semester, you are required to keep a folder (or whatever) in which you collect all of your rough and final drafts. This portfolio will be handed in for assessment in lieu of a final exam on the last scheduled day of class.
Peer Review
Each of your rough drafts will undergo peer review, meaning that, in addition to my comments, you will receive comments from your classmates. This process is designed to provide multiple perspectives on each of your essays, and imitates the editorial processes that essays endure during the process of publication. If diligently practiced, peer review will make you a better reader of your own essays and a better interlocutor for the work of others.
For each day of peer review, you will be required to bring several copies of your rough draft. The copying process is your responsibility; please take care of it BEFORE coming to class.
Grading Criteria
See Grading Criteria Sheet. (PDF)
Plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when the work of others is used and represented as if it were your own. Plagiarism is anathema in academe. MIT does not tolerate plagiarism, and the consequences of conscious plagiarizing are severe, and include the possibility of expulsion. Please review the MIT Policy on Plagiarism, available through the Writing Center web site.
Wiggle Room
The final draft of Essay 2, 3, OR 4 may be handed in late with my permission. [Like Daffy Duck swallowing Uranium-238, you can only pull this trick once.] This policy takes account of the other demands on your time; use it wisely.
