Explanation for Writing Assignments

You will complete 1, 2, or 3 writing assignments per quarter. For some assignments, you will be given a topic to write about, and for other assignments, you will be able to choose.

Length of Writing Assignments

Each writing assignment will be at least 50 words in Spanish. If you are just beginning Spanish, I may reduce the number of words for your assignments. You do not need to count every word. Just estimate by counting the number of words per line and multiply by the number of lines. If I suspect it’s too short, I’ll count.

Three Drafts

First draft: You’ll write the first draft, and turn it in. This draft counts as a homework assignment, and it is worth 5 points. When you get your draft back, it will have numbers on it. Each number means that an error has been made, and the number gives you a hint on how to fix the error. Each student will be given a key for what each number means. This key is also in the classroom and on the school’s website.

Second draft: You’ll write a second draft attempting to fix the errors from the first draft. This draft counts as a homework assignment, and it is worth 5 points. Use the number key to get a hint on how to fix the error. You may turn in as many drafts as you like before the final draft is due. If there are no errors in your second draft, then the second draft will also be the final draft, and you’re done with the assignment.

Final draft: The final draft is your last chance to correct errors. This is the draft that will be graded for accuracy.

Grading of Writing Assignments

The first draft is worth 5 points, the second draft is worth 5 points, and the final draft is worth 10-15 points.

Warnings

Writing assignments must be your own work. You may use any resource you like to look up grammar rules or vocabulary for individual words or phrases. Translating more than individual words or phrases, such as using online translators is not allowed. First, online translators aren’t that good, and, second, I’ll be able to tell right away that you’ve used one. If you turn in a draft that has grammar that I know you don’t know how to do, you will need to redo the assignment, and you will receive a 0 for the assignment until you redo it. If a classmate asks you for help, give them a hint or lead them in the right direction, but do not do their work for them.

Advantages of Writing Assignments

Doing these writing assignments will help you improve your Spanish quickly because I’ll know specifically what I need to teach you as an individual, as if you’re getting private Spanish lessons, and you’ll learn more from figuring out how to correct your own errors than you will from someone writing in the answer for you.

Have fun, and I’m looking forward to reading what you write.

Correction key for Spanish writing assignments

1 Adjective does not agree with its noun

2 Verb isn’t conjugated correctly (doesn’t agree with its subject)

3 Don’t conjugate the 2^nd verb – leave it in the form that ends in r

4 Wrong verb

5 Wrong word

6 Words in the wrong order

7 Insert a word

8 Word spelled wrong

9 Accent problem

10 Say it in Spanish, not English

11 Wrong verb tense

12 Phrase doesn’t work in Spanish – ask me for a suggestion