Tone
"With forethought, one can be clear about the rules governing classroom behavior without being cold and accusatory." (Slattery and Carlson, 2005)
As previously mentioned, the syllabus serves as part of the students' first impression of you and your course. A syllabus that contains positive wording and avoids the over-use of "DO-NOTS" and other un-welcoming phrases tells your students that you are there to help them succeed, not to punish them.
- Take a look at the "One Final Note" section (bottom of the last page) in this example; the instructor provides a concluding explanation for the preceding stern tone of the syllabus and emphasizes a willingness to work with students.
- Another way to create a positive tone is to start off with a welcome message and then elaborate on the policies procedures, as shown in this example.
Tips:
- Include a brief statement about the background of the course subject or about your background (or both).
- Include positive motivational statments or quotes.
- Provide feedback from former students.
