Five Essential Sections of a Syllabus and How to Write Them

This guide will walk you through five essential sections of a syllabus.  A course syllabus is like a contract or written agreement between parties.  If any disputes arise during the school year, your syllabus is the first place administrators and parents will look.  More than once, we’ve seen a teacher’s syllabus scrutinized by a district superintendent.  Be sure you have clear, well-thought-out policies for hot-button issues.  

Five essential sections of a syllabus:

1. Units of Study/Curriculum
2. Grading Policy
3. Test Retake Policy
4. Absent/Late Work Policy
5. Cheating/Plagiarism Issues

Many new teachers will borrow and adapt a course syllabus from a colleague. Generally, this is an acceptable practice – just be sure the syllabus contains the necessary elements.  A detailed syllabus will save you future headaches.   

Syllabus Section #1: Units of Study and Curriculum

With increased parental interest in the curriculum you teach, it’s crucial to outline the course content.  The syllabus should communicate the units of study and any school-approved curriculum and textbooks.  Transparency is helpful when diffusing any parent dispute around curriculum.  We’d like you to avoid a parent dispute that escalates to school and/or district leadership, as referenced in this article about curriculum and politics.

Include:

• Major units covered
• Titles of textbooks, novels, and other materials used
• Key skills students will develop
• Relevant state, district, or departmental standards (including a link is fine)

Syllabus Section #2: Grading Policy

As a principal, the number one parent complaint issue I dealt with was disputed grades.  If there is any section that you need to overly communicate about, it is this section. Clearly explain to the parent and student how the grades will be earned in your class.  

Be extra clear about:

• Your grading scale (including specific percentages for each grade)
• Whether you use total points or weighted categories (if weighted, list categories and their percentages)
• Any rounding policy for borderline grades

Syllabus Section #3: Test Retake Policy

A growing discussion around equitable grading practices, as well as pandemic concerns, put a spotlight on assessment practices.  As a result, test retakes have become common.

If you allow retakes, specify:

• How many times a student can retake an exam
• The timeframe for retakes
• Scheduling procedures the student should follow
• Any assessments that can’t be retaken
• Maximum grade improvement on retakes, if applicable

Essential Section #4: Absence/Late Work Policy

Absenteeism has risen sharply since the pandemic.  The Annie E. Casey Foundation found during the 2021-2022 school year 30% of students nationwide were chronically absent, compared to 16% in pre-pandemic years.  

Given this rise, a clear policy on make-up work is essential. 

Address:

• How students obtain missed work
• Deadlines for completing make-up work and specify if the timeframe starts when they return
• How students should contact you when absent

Similarly, you should articulate if and how students can turn in late work.  Assuming they are not absent, is there a penalty or deduction when assignments are late?  

Syllabus Section #5: Plagiarism/Cheating Issues

A section on plagiarism and cheating is especially important for high school teachers when grades are high-stakes.  This is a sensitive issue to bring up with parents–no one wants to be told their child is a cheater.  In an already emotional situation, ambiguity regarding what constitutes cheating and what the penalties are will cause you additional stress.  

This section should cover:

• What constitutes cheating (e.g., unauthorized group work, misuse of outside resources. etc)
• Consequences for cheating (grade penalties, disciplinary referrals)
• Use of plagiarism detection software, if applicable

Caution: Ensure your consequences are reasonable.  It may be difficult to justify a consequence that makes it mathematically impossible for a student to pass after one incident.

A Final Word on the Course Syllabus

Think of your syllabus like a contract between you, your students, and their parents. While not legally binding, it serves as the first point of reference if issues arise. 

A thorough syllabus will:

1. Provide a starting point for explaining your policies to parents or students
2. Help you and your administrator resolve issues more efficiently

By including these five essential sections in detail, you’ll create a comprehensive syllabus that sets clear expectations and helps prevent misunderstandings. While it may take more time upfront, a well-crafted syllabus can save you stress and time throughout the school year.

Wondering how to put it all together? 

Check out our syllabus templates, which guide you through every section.  Armed with that and this post providing more detail on the essential sections, you will have a buttoned-up syllabus and be able to quickly check it off your to-do list!

Amanda Melsby has been a professional educator for 20 years.  She taught English before working as an assistant principal and later as a high school principal.  Amanda holds an Ed.D. in Educational Practice and Leadership and is currently a dean of teaching and learning.