DILEMMA!!

[candyland]

Okay...I have a bit of a dilemma. Thoughts are appreciated.

For my Religions of Asia class, we were supposed to go visit a shrine or temple for one of the religions we've discussed in class, and then write a 5-7 page paper about it based on the given criteria (there's a whole list of specs). Nowhere on the syllabus or anywhere is it listed how much of our grade this paper is. There's an automatic 5% deduction for every day it's late. So here's my deal.

I went to this place almost every day for a week, and didn't see anyone or anything. But finally, on Saturday night, I got there, and there was a service going on. I was ushered in, and I sat and observed for a while before I was told that the next part of the service was only for the faithful, which I completely understand. And this woman (who was very, very nice) invited me to come back at eleven o'clock on Monday to see more prayers and to ask any questions I had. Eleven happens to be my free hour, so I thought, "Yay! I'll go back!"

The problem? The paper is due at ten.

So the dilemma is this: do I turn in the paper on time, knowing that it could have been a lot better (and possibly have my grade suffer because I didn't get to ask questions or really talk to anyone), or do I get as much written as possible tonight, go back tomorrow for a second visit, and turn in a better paper for the late grade?

...I'm leaning towards the latter. I really am. Because honestly, not being able to talk to anyone or ask questions...yeah, that will seriously impede my ability to write the second half of this paper, in which we're supposed to analyze all sorts of stuff about the service. The prof is asking what they were teaching and what the attitudes are and how the materials applied...when the chants and prayers were all in another language, so I didn't have a clue what was going on.

RAAAAAAR!!! SCHOOLWORK IS MADE OF HATE!!! D:

Comments

[fyliwionvilyaer.livejournal.com]

*muses* what if you write the paper... techinically well enough so that you can turn it in... then talk to the professor monday and explain this and say "i did as you asked heres what i have however..." and then say how this woman offered after all this time- you obviously really felt passionately about the paper

that way you could turn it in on time if you have to and mabye offer to give a revised edition the next day ya know? or what not? it might not work but that way if you decided to turn it in late you could... or early and still works

[nls1984.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I understand completely. 5% is really not all that much. I have actually done something like this before, only I took an entire letter grade deduction, but I was satisfied with the project and to me, that is worth more than the grade.

[bard-linn.livejournal.com]

Fyliwionviyaer sounds like she has a good idea to me. Good luck!

[inquisitorial.livejournal.com]

toughie....i would have to agree with fyliwionvilyaer....write what you have and talk with your prof and see if you can turn in a revised edition the next day....hope this hopes

[tdei.livejournal.com]

Email or speak to your professor in person, explaining the situation-- you've went every day and only now has this opportunity cropped up, etc. Ask for an extension-- the earliest you think you can complete the paper immediately after acquiring the information. Ask politely and grovel and your professor (which the exception of absolute strict policies or being a jackass) should give you an extension.

Or I'd suggest asking the person if there's anyone you can talk to (although it being Sunday night now..;;) over phone or email to get this information before the deadline, explaining your paper deadline circumstances.

[anrean.livejournal.com]

I'd use the extra day to make it perfect. After all this is your project and you should be satisfied with it. Professors use due dates to A)get things turned in before the end of the semester and B)see if you can work with a deadline. He might let you slide a few hours if needs be, but if not even with a 5% deduction you could still get you an A.

[insaneladybug.livejournal.com]

I think everyone's offered great advice. :) I would recommend that you follow it, and try to get the paper as good as you can. Getting an extension for a few hours sounds like a good thing to try, if you explain the situation.