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[llanfair]

As for those who don't hand in a topic statement, can you say that you won't accept the final paper without one? 

I talked to the SO about this over supper, and I'm going with something along this line.  Here's the relevant bit from my new syllabus template:

Assignment #2: Term paper topic statement of 1-2 paragraphs.  A list of suggested term-paper topics will be posted on Blackboard/WebCT; if none of the suggested topics interests you, we can discuss possibilities during my office hours.  Everyone will write on a different topic.
Due (deadline date, 3 wks before paper’s due date).  If you miss this deadline, you still have to have your topic approved, but you’ll lose the marks for the topic statement. 
Value: _% of course mark.

Assignment #3: Term paper, due at the beginning of class (date 2 wks ahead of last class).  _______ words maximum.   
Note that if you submit a paper on a topic which hasn’t been approved, or on a topic belonging to another student, it will not be accepted.
Value: _% of course mark

Many thanks for all the excellent feedback, folks!

[wanna_writemore]

As for those who don't hand in a topic statement, can you say that you won't accept the final paper without one?  Or can you say something to the effect that all elements of the course need to be completed in order to receive a passing grade, so that if they don't hand in the topic statement, they cannot pass.  That's a policy in the course I am teaching, and it appears to have all but alleviated the problem for me.

A few years ago, I started making the parts of the paper research/writing process required - topic, annotated bib, etc.  As each part is due, I remind them:  "Your paper topic is due by Tuesday.  Remember that I can't accept your paper if you don't get all the parts turned in.  If you don't get a paper grade, it's virtually impossible to pass this course, so don't forget."

Miraculously, everyone turns everything in now.  I do get the occasional begging when someone is a day or two late, but I can live with that.  With this policy, they're scared enough that everything gets turned in within that day or two, not weeks late.

[aristof_ns]

As for those who don't hand in a topic statement, can you say that you won't accept the final paper without one? 

I'm doing what the above posters have said: I'm working with making the proposal and an early bibliography graded assignments. This way they have to get that stuff done early enough that there should be plenty of time for them to be able to develop a good paper.

Oh, and their rough draft and annotated bib are each worth more than the final.

[aristof_ns]

Out of curiosity:

Has anyone here given this thread to their students to show them just how ridiculous their excuses are and how annoyed we get with them?

[llanfair]

As for those who don't hand in a topic statement, can you say that you won't accept the final paper without one? 

I'm doing what the above posters have said: I'm working with making the proposal and an early bibliography graded assignments. This way they have to get that stuff done early enough that there should be plenty of time for them to be able to develop a good paper.

Oh, and their rough draft and annotated bib are each worth more than the final.

I'm intrigued, and I want to be sure I'm clear: the final paper, or the final exam?

Either way, I see the point - it's a pretty sure way to make sure they actually do the work required to start the paper in a timely fashion.  But I'd like to know more.

[aristof_ns]

I'm intrigued, and I want to be sure I'm clear: the final paper, or the final exam?

It's a writing class, so the final exam IS the final paper. But I give the draft 15% and the final 10%. We have conferences over the drafts, so I want to see something that shows their best efforts. Then all they have to do is make some adjustments and do some polishing -- which in turn teaches them what to look for when editing their own work.

[infopri]

Sorry Llanfair, but I think you opened the door for this if you didn't give them a firm deadline for submitting the topic for approval.

My students also have to get approval for their paper topics, and I did give them deadlines for getting their topics approved.  A few students still blew it.  In fact, I'm expecting a paper on Monday from two students who never got their topics approved.  Of course, maybe they'll blow off the paper itself, too, just as three other students already have (two of whom did go to the trouble of getting their topics approved).

One question, though: What should I do if they fail to hand in the topic statement? I know several who'd blow that off, marks or no marks.  Suggestions?

Take off a letter grade or two because their paper doesn't match their topic statement.  No topic statement, no match.  Put it in your syllabus and they should have no recourse.  Or am I being too barbaric?

I've been pondering this too, in anticipation of Monday.  One of the two did actually submit a topic, but I didn't approve it because she didn't include the required paragraph or two about the topic.  Therefore, I have no idea how she's going to approach it or whether her approach will be appropriate.  (This is a specialized kind of paper, rather than a typical research paper, and many students need some guidance before they really understand the difference.)  I think I'm leaning sort of in conjugate's direction, although I'm working with points rather than letter grades.  I'm not sure I'll have to take points off specifically for the non-approval because she'll lose those points for not using the proper approach.  And, if she surprises me and does a good job (which by necessity means an appropriate topic), then perhaps she deserves to keep her points. 

I really don't know.  I figure I'll wait and see what comes in, then figure it out.

[boethius]

Out of curiosity:

Has anyone here given this thread to their students to show them just how ridiculous their excuses are and how annoyed we get with them?

God, no.  Last thing I want is my students to know about the fora.

[conjugate]

Tell them that any paper that is submitted without the topic having been submitted beforehand will be checked for plagiarism. If found, it will be reported to the judicial board.

No; any paper submitted with or without the topic submitted beforehand should be checked for plagiarism, and, if found, reported.  Students would say, "Hey, if we get our topic statement submitted, we are allowed to plagiarize!"  Wrong message here, I think.

[llanfair]

Tell them that any paper that is submitted without the topic having been submitted beforehand will be checked for plagiarism. If found, it will be reported to the judicial board.

No; any paper submitted with or without the topic submitted beforehand should be checked for plagiarism, and, if found, reported.  Students would say, "Hey, if we get our topic statement submitted, we are allowed to plagiarize!"  Wrong message here, I think.

Yes, their devious little minds would come up with that loophole in an instant.  Best to close it in advance.

I'm getting really discouraged about how long my syllabus is getting, though.  I know we've discussed this before, but I really hate to have to assume that a student will do more work trying to torpedo the rules than they would just doing what they're expected to do.

[spectacle]

Out of curiosity:

Has anyone here given this thread to their students to show them just how ridiculous their excuses are and how annoyed we get with them?

God, no.  Last thing I want is my students to know about the fora.

Seriously.  They try to infiltrate every aspect of my life as it is (can we get your cell phone number?! Do you use IM? What if I need to get in touch with you at 4am on a Sunday?).  They drink at my bars, eat at my favorite places, try to friend me on Facebook (interthreaduality). We need some student-free spaces.

[boethius]

Out of curiosity:

Has anyone here given this thread to their students to show them just how ridiculous their excuses are and how annoyed we get with them?

God, no.  Last thing I want is my students to know about the fora.

Seriously.  They try to infiltrate every aspect of my life as it is (can we get your cell phone number?! Do you use IM? What if I need to get in touch with you at 4am on a Sunday?).  They drink at my bars, eat at my favorite places, try to friend me on Facebook (interthreaduality). We need some student-free spaces.

I especially don't want them recognizing themselves.  Not that they would, I'm sure.

[mountainguy]

Seriously.  They try to infiltrate every aspect of my life as it is (can we get your cell phone number?! Do you use IM? What if I need to get in touch with you at 4am on a Sunday?).  They drink at my bars, eat at my favorite places, try to friend me on Facebook (interthreaduality). We need some student-free spaces.

Chime.

I will occasionally mention fora stories to my students without mentioning that it's from the fora. (For example, "Someone I know had a student who didn't proofread their paper and failed to catch a very significant typo, that was ____________________."). The students think its funny, and it never occurs to them that this is someone I know from my cyber-life and not real life.

[systeme_d_]

Out of curiosity:

Has anyone here given this thread to their students to show them just how ridiculous their excuses are and how annoyed we get with them?

God, no.  Last thing I want is my students to know about the fora.

Seriously.  They try to infiltrate every aspect of my life as it is (can we get your cell phone number?! Do you use IM? What if I need to get in touch with you at 4am on a Sunday?).  They drink at my bars, eat at my favorite places, try to friend me on Facebook (interthreaduality). We need some student-free spaces.

I can't go anywhere - ever - in my university town without being surrounded by students who want something.  The fora are a respite.  I would never tell a student about this place.

[llanfair]

I will occasionally mention fora stories to my students without mentioning that it's from the fora. (For example, "Someone I know had a student who didn't proofread their paper and failed to catch a very significant typo, that was ____________________."). The students think its funny, and it never occurs to them that this is someone I know from my cyber-life and not real life.

<gasping>

You mean ... we're not ... not REAL???

<lip quivering>

In all seriousness, MG, I regard the fora as a great resource for a neophyte prof (me).  Not to mention a great way to procrastinate spend time with friends.