Preparing Assignments

Your written assignments will be graded by the following criteria:

  1. a clear opening statement, paragraph or introduction (based on the nature of the assignment);
  2. the ability to identify and explain the legal and social issues that are important to your discussion;
  3. the clarity and organization of your ideas;
  4. your writing style, including grammar;
  5. the demonstration of creativity and original thinking; and
  6. the use of proper referencing and citation.

Be careful to consider whether you have been asked merely to explain something or to develop an argument and engage in critique. These very different writing goals are equally important in the course. Your ability to properly explain legal concepts and arguments demonstrates your learning of the core elements of this course, which is grounded in legal knowledge. However, your ability to adopt and argue for a particular position is also important, for a significant objective of this course is the development of your own perspective on feminist legal issues. You can expect to engage in more exposition (explanatory writing) in the smaller assignments than in the final essay. The final essay requires both accurately explaining concepts as well as presenting a well-reasoned position in favour of one side of an argument.

Pay strict attention to the page limits specified for each writing component. A page is 8.5 × 11 inches; type is double-spaced except for indented quotes and footnotes; Times Roman 12-point font (or a relative equivalent) is recommended.