Critical Reading & Writing Responses &
Participation
Critical Reading & Writing Responses – 10%

Instructions: In the beginning of each class (first 30 minutes of the class) read the
course outline assigned short essay (from the textbook) and write a 350-word
reflection on the topic addressing these two questions:
What is the author’s main point(s) on the topic?
What is your perspective on the author’s conclusions (agree/disagree/somewhat
agree-disagree) and why?

Submission: Please submit all 10 Reading & Writing Responses as a single PDF
document by 11:59 pm – Apr 3, 2025. (Reflective writing style but please keep in mind this
is an academic writing course so avoid too casual writing)
READING & WRITING REPONSES RUBRIC
Outstanding
9-10 marks
Reading &
Writing
Responses
Reflection
Grammatical
correctness
Written responses
demonstrate thoughtful,
sincere engagement with
the topic questions. All
Reading & Writing
Responses are present.
Sentences are complete
or generally
grammatically complete
and easy to read. word
choice is sensible
Satisfactory
8-6 marks
Written responses demonstrate
some thoughtfulness and focus
and attempts to respond to the
topic question. Most of the
Reading & Writing Responses are
present.
A few sentences may not be
complete or may be awkward to
read; errors of grammar may be
noticeable but do not distract
badly from the meaning; word
choice is sensible.
Minimal
5-0 marks
Written responses may seem to have
been hastily written; may not
demonstrate much thoughtfulness,
focus, or effort; may be off-topic or a
duplicate. Missing some of the
Reading & Writing Responses.
Sentences may frequently be
awkward or difficult to read;
grammar errors may be distractingly
frequent; word choices may
frequently be awkward or imprecise
In-class discussions and activities (3%) (individual)
 Includes your contributions in in-class discussions and activities.
IN-CLASS DISCUSSIONS & ACTVITIES RUBRIC
Outstanding
3-2 marks
In-class
discussions
and activities
When you participate
in in-class discussion
and activities, you
consistently offer
thoughtful, probing,
focused comments and
questions and/or you
consistently contribute
generous and valuable
effort to individual and
group activities. You
may attend classes
consistently.
Satisfactory
2-1 marks
When you participate in in-class
discussion and activities, you are a
positive presence, an active
listener, and remain focused in
class discussion you
occasionally- to-frequently offer
thoughtful comments and
questions during the term
and/or you consistently
contribute effort to group work
and peer review. You may come
to class most of the time.
Minimal
1-0 mark
When you participate in in-class
discussion and activities, you
sometimes appear unfocused or
unprepared you participate
passively in group work and
peer review and/or your
behaviour is distracting. You
may be often absent.