Check your syllabus to see if MW4 is listed as normal (no special note) or optional (clearly labeled). IF it says optional, please see below. If there is no “optional” note, it is required just like MWs 1-3 were.

More information:

If monthly write-up 4 is announced as optional, you do not have to do it.  It is not like the final (which requires an exemption request if you don’t want to do it). You do not need to notify me of your plans to do or not do MW4.

If you choose not to do it, your MW average will be calculated by dividing by 3. If you choose to do it, your MW average will be calculated by dividing by 4. As stated in the syllabus, the monthly write-up average is 25% of your grade.

Once MW4 is graded, that grade is included in your MW average. The assignment is optional until you do it. If your average was previously low and you do a good job on MW4, your average grade will improve, which is the point. The idea is that you are very familiar with the instructions now, and have received three write-ups’ worth of feedback, so if you misunderstood things before you can make up for that now.

If you are not satisfied with the MW4 grade, there is nothing else to do. Once the assignment is graded, the optional nature of the work disappears. The grade will not be dropped once the assignment is graded, you are effectively “stuck” with it. The grade does not replace any other MW grades. It is just for helping your average. If you submit it late, it will have a late deduction. If you plagiarize on it, you will fail the course. It is a real assignment.

Students who are satisfied with their MW average should probably not do MW4. If the write-up is weak, it will bring down a previously strong average.

Please refrain from asking me questions like “What would my grade be if I got a B on MW4?” These are valid questions for yourself, but you should not expect your professor to calculate them for you. Instead, use the information you find on the syllabus (hint: the grade percentages are in section 3) and Canvas, and use your math skills. You can also see #8 here.