(Return to the Unit 5 Table of Contents)

What is an "honors project?"

An "honors project" is a special option to the "A" level project.

This option is designed for any of you who wish to experience the complete process of writing from a real situation (the writing context) for a real audience. In other words, the goal of this exercise will be the production and actual presentation or publication of your ideas in a Dallas-area public forum.

Your successful completion of the honors project will result in "honors" designation (#) on your college transcript printed beside your grade of "A" for English 1301.

What does "honors designation" mean?

Honors designation is a formal recognition that Mountain View College has conferred upon you. Honors designation means that you not only have met the highest grade requirements for the course work as specified in the course syllabus, but that you have achieved a level of excellence beyond those formal expectations. To put it another way, you have experienced what it means to have pushed yourself to your intellectual, creative, and affective limits at this stage of your personal growth and academic development within the narrow framework of a single semester.

What do I have to do to achieve honors designation?
If you choose the honors option to the "A" project, you will be expected to do two things:
(1) compose an original essay of not fewer than l,000 words for an audience, and
(2) successfully "sell" or market your composition to that audience. Such markets may include in-house publications, newspapers, local magazines, the meetings of area service clubs and organizations, church groups, action agencies, etc.

Can you be more specific about the details?
In the development of the composition, you will:
(1) compose in writing the context motivating the essay (see sample context statements in Unit 1).
(2) define or explain the related personal insight from which you will begin the writing process,
(3) initiate and complete the writing process, taking an idea from the state of personal insight to the final draft as public insight,
(4) maintain a file including all written copy developed during the creating, drafting, revising, and editing phases of the project (you are encouraged to use word processing, training for which I will provide upon request,
(5) market the essay, submitting final draft(s) to the representatives of an appropriate audience.

When may I begin the honors project?
You may begin at any time during the semester. Simply contact me for an appointment, preferably early in the semester.

How will my final grade be determined?
Public presentation is the goal of the exercise. If you are able to "place" the essay through a juried source (that is, publish it, present it, deliver it, etc.), you will receive an "A" on the project and "honors" designation on your transcript. A "juried source" is a publisher that relies upon the decisions of a special editorial board or selection committee for the determination of those manuscripts that will be published and those which will be rejected.

What if I am unsuccessful in placing my essay?
If you fail to place your essay or present it to the appropriate public forum, you will not receive honors designation. However, if the essay meets the standards specified for the regular "A" grade-level project, you will receive a grade of "A" in the course.

In some cases, essays are published many months after they have been formally accepted for publication. A letter of acceptance from the publishing agency is sufficient criteria for awarding the honors designation in this project.

If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (214) 860-8747 or e-mail me at gagrimes@dcccd.edu  .

(Return to the Top)