Has Anyone Ever Failed A Capstone Course?

[JohnnyHeck]

I am currently taking the TESC capstone too. And for whatever reason I am not "getting it" either. But today I started comparing prior papers that my instructor had posted weeks ago to the syllabus, and now I think I'm "getting it" This is an "academic paper unlike anything you have done before". These words are the clue. Use your syllabus, the reading assignments, and any example papers you can get your hands on. The key is the "main question" that is answered by 2 or more sub-questions that you actually research. I think the trick is you turn the usual expository subject into a question that you answer with 2 or more researchable sub-questions that by inference answer your main question. Good luck to us both!

[dewisant]

Here is my take with 11 days to go with my Capstone @ Excelsior. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME??? Read the syllabus; Read the assignments; Read the discussions; DO THEM! Here is the key to writing a research paper...wait for it...Make an outline, follow it, COPY AND PAST ALMOST THE ENTIRE PAPER, include PERFECT citations per APA or MLA, have a PERFECT Reference section per APA or MLA, and make sure to provide appropriate paragraphs at the beginning and end of your papers. Easy.

[sklineho]

I forgot to mention yesterday, that I still have those chapter outline guides for the TESC Capstone that another forum user sent me and can email them if anyone needs them. They did me a lot of good as I got a 100 on the final paper and an overall 95 in the class. (still trying to figure that out but oh well it's still an A.)

[Lyanne]

One thing for those who are uneasy when seeing your total grade: I ignored that completely and worked out my own percentages and kept a running total of my average. I don't remember the exact numbers but I think each chapter was worth 9 points, and each discussion was something like 3.88? Then use the formula to figure out how your grade translates. Example 95/100 is equal to n/9. n = 8.55 so a 95 on an assignment is equal to 8.55 out of 9. As my prof graded assignments and discussions, I used those numbers. It gave me a much clearer picture of how I was doing. You really have to ignore the total because you won't reach the required 60% until the last few weeks. It's impossible to get decent grades on each chapter, then get a zero on the final capstone submission.
The capstone was a real roller coaster for me, mostly because I NEEDED, really really NEEDED to see examples of what the prof wanted. It was so unlike any paper I have ever written that I couldn't do it without seeing examples of the finished chapters. Now that I've done it, I am considering going for my master's, something I never ever considered before because I feared the dissertation. As much as I hated the capstone requirement, I am happy to have done it, and regardless of whether I continue my education, the capstone in itself is an accomplishment I am very proud of, as well as an achievement I didn't think I was capable of. Mine turned out to be 47 pages, without even trying, and I was so worried about filling 25!

[JohnnyHeck]

Just in case your outline guide is better than the one I made up, please send me one: JohnnyHeck@hotmail.com I think the difficulty I keep having with this paper is the phrasing of my "big question" and following-up with the appropriate sub questions that my research answers and then by inference answers the big question. I am researching Music Therapy because I want to know all about it because it would be my next academic and then career goal. But I am still struggling with the appropriate bachelor's level "big question" that will turn me lose on my quest. My initial big question was "Music Therapy: Entertainment, Miracle Cure, or Hoax" I thought it was great, but my advisor said I couldn't answer such a question. What do others think? What am I missing about the nature of this paper?

[corpsole2]

One thing for those who are uneasy when seeing your total grade: I ignored that completely and worked out my own percentages and kept a running total of my average. I don't remember the exact numbers but I think each chapter was worth 9 points, and each discussion was something like 3.88? Then use the formula to figure out how your grade translates. Example 95/100 is equal to n/9. n = 8.55 so a 95 on an assignment is equal to 8.55 out of 9. As my prof graded assignments and discussions, I used those numbers. It gave me a much clearer picture of how I was doing. You really have to ignore the total because you won't reach the required 60% until the last few weeks. It's impossible to get decent grades on each chapter, then get a zero on the final capstone submission.
The capstone was a real roller coaster for me, mostly because I NEEDED, really really NEEDED to see examples of what the prof wanted. It was so unlike any paper I have ever written that I couldn't do it without seeing examples of the finished chapters. Now that I've done it, I am considering going for my master's, something I never ever considered before because I feared the dissertation. As much as I hated the capstone requirement, I am happy to have done it, and regardless of whether I continue my education, the capstone in itself is an accomplishment I am very proud of, as well as an achievement I didn't think I was capable of. Mine turned out to be 47 pages, without even trying, and I was so worried about filling 25!

I can agree with so much of what you said. Now that I am eighteen days away from finishing up the capstone course and with it the BA, I find I have both a love/hate relationship with this course. I love the fact that I did it, and that my anxiety about it is ill founded. I like that Dr. Haydel told me last night that I am doing great on the paper, and now if I pursue a professional degree then writing will not be a problem at all.

What I hate is that students need to be given examples of what the papers look like. I have Westerner to thank for that. :-)

Now all I really have to do on Chapter Five is add a few citations to the Discussion of the Study section, and it is as good as done. Dr. Haydel suggested I lift some of the citations from Chapter Two and integrate them into this area.

I keep a running total as well of the score I'm supposed to have. I knew early on that I wouldn't get to 60% until the end of Module Five. So far I am on pace to cracking the magic number at the end of this module.

I was worried about filling the 25 page requirement as well, and so far the writing portion of the paper is around 34 pages, not counting Table of Contents and Abstract. I am proud that this hurdle is ending, and proud that I did it. I used to wonder how scholars could write about something for a hundred or more pages, and now I have an idea of what it's like.

[dewisant]

I have written THREE papers in my entire life. If you count up ALL of the book reports, essays, and research papers I have ever written for any school I have ever attended it adds up to THREE. I am writing my fourth for next Sunday. It's a research paper so it's 90%+ copy/paste.

[degree4hbia]

I'm so happy you've got a good mentor. (God is, indeed, good to us.) Would you mind telling me who your mentor is? I've got to take the capstone starting in February and I'm really nervous about it, given the information I've seen on it thus far. Plus, it's my last class. I have a 4.0 GPA so far and I want it to stay that way if I can possibly help it. Is this a realistic expectation, or should I expect a B or something? My grammar and spelling are well-nigh perfect and I love to write (if the topic interests me). However, I've never written anything close to 25 pages before, and definitely nothing with so many picky abstracts, references, etc. I'd love to hear any tips you have.

[FallingWaters]

I've written two 45- page papers in the last two months. However, they were personalized (for my PLA), talking about ME. That's pretty easy to do. I'm quite nervous about doing the research paper needed for my Capstone. Thanks for all the info provided here and other threads!

[corpsole2]

I just got back the grade for Chapter Five: Summary and Discussion - with a perfect 100! Dr. Haydel's notes said it was a 'Superior summary.' My cumulative grade so far is now at 56%, with four more assignments to be graded. I'm going to pass this sucker!