Assignment 1:

For this assignment, you will complete the Essay 2 self review form pasted in below. It includes a list of the criteria for the Argumentative Research Essay assignment. You will write/type in you essay's components as a check on how well you are addressing those criteria. You may not have them all completed yet, but many should be at least in the works or in place.

If you do not yet have the item in place, write what you plan on including. You must complete the entire form in some way to receive full credit.

Please copy and paste the form and your responses into the assignment submission text box.

ENG W131 Reading, Writing, & Inquiry

Dr. Coaplen

Argumentative Research Essay Structure & Organizational Guide Sheet

Rough Draft Due: Friday, October 26th

• 750 words minimum for length credit

Final Draft Due: Friday, November 2nd

• 1000 words minimum for length credit

Please refer to this guide as you draft your essay. This form will also be used for your self-review. You must complete this self review form to be able to have the option to revise for a higher grade after turning in the final draft of essay 2 on November 2nd.

• Page 1
  • 1st paragraph
    • An introductory paragraph that informs me about your future/current field (briefly), and then states an arguable thesis with supporting topics (the thesis may be 1-3 sentences).

What is your thesis statement? Write it here, and label the supporting topics clearly:

• 2nd paragraph
  • Explains the topic that you are asking a question about, and provides any needed information, such as definitions, history, or any other contextual information. This paragraph will then also state your reason for asking the question and exploring the topic that your essay will respond to and "argue" about, including why you believe it's important to investigate.

What is your topic? Write it here:

What kind of information (definition, history, information, etc.) will your essay share about your topic: Write that here:

• Page 2
  • 3rd paragraph
    • This paragraph is a review of the sources that you are using for evidence. This is often called a "Literature Review." Please use the following format to write the source review paragraph:
      • "This essay uses scholarly and credible sources that address the following topics: (list a few topics here). The authors are experts and scholars about (what subjects? list them here!). The dates of the sources range from (xx year to xx year – state the time range here, by year only is fine!). These sources support my argument because they address the following: (briefly discuss the ideas/claims/information). Be very clear here!

List your essay’s sources (informally) here:

• Pages 2 – 4 (minimum)
  • Body paragraphs
    • Each contains a clear, specific topic sentence relates to the argumentative thesis support ideas
    • Each contains evidence that supports the paragraph's topic and the essay's main claim, referring directly back to the argumentative thesis

Write each body paragraph’s topic sentence and evidence here:

• Body paragraph 1:

Evidence 1:

Evidence 2:

• Body paragraph 2:

Evidence 1:

Evidence 2:

• Body paragraph 3:

Evidence 1:

Evidence 2:

Remember that you will need to add the following to your final draft:

• Last page/conclusion
  • 1st paragraph:
    • Summarizes the evidence/source support
    • Refers directly back to the original question that your essay asked, as well as to the argumentative thesis, including how the evidence responds to the thesis and your essay's question
  • 2nd paragraph:
    • Explains how the research relates to your stated personal interest in the topic, including answering what you now believe and how you now think about the topic after completing the research to learn more and respond to the question. This part will be reflective and personal.

• NOTE: You should follow the formula outlined here for success. I am more interested in your content, so I have laid out the essay's structure for you to use. You are also welcome to use the first person/"I" throughout the essay.

Assignment 2:

Length: 4 complete MLA formatted pages (approximately 1000 words minimum). Feel free to write more, and as much as you need/want to fully complete the essay as you see fit! I will never penalize you for writing more than is required. : )

Format: MLA

Sources required: At least 2 scholarly, 3 credible (minimum)

In-text citations required: Five in-text citations (quotes and at least one paraphrase), including an introduction and conclusion before and after each in-text citation.

This assignment, the final draft of the research essay, differs from the draft of this essay in that your final essay should be 1000 words, minimum. It also differs because for the final draft, you grade will be based on how well the essay responds to specific criteria rather than submitting a draft of at least 750 words. Essays will be penalized for being under word count. Review the rubric for details about essay length and grading.

Overview:

What questions do you have about your field? What interests you? What do you want to know more about? What confuses you or is still unclear? This essay will give you the opportunity to answer a question that is meaningful to you about your field. You will use researched sources, including scholarly and credible sources, to "argue" for an answer based on the research (not opinion!).

Additionally, you will be required to use a provided rubric for the essay to peer review one another, including comments about what is working well with this essay (based on these instructions and the rubric), as well as what needs improvement (again, based clearly on the instructions and rubric).

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about your field through research and a somewhat personal perspective. In other words, your essay will ask a question, as well as explain why you are asking that question, personally, and what it means to you. Another purpose is for you to become familiar with an argumentative essay. Another purpose is to provide you with an opportunity to support your ideas with scholarly and credible evidence. Finally, another purpose is to provide you with the opportunity to work with one another on the process of writing, and the understand writing as a process.

Skills:

Learn and practice: editing and peer revision, research techniques, crafting an argumentative claim, the application of source support/appropriately using evidence, composing clear, focused claims, contextualizing a meaningful research question by connecting to you, personally, compose an essay with an overview, summary, and conclusion

Tasks & Instructions

• Research that responds to a question that you, personally, would like to answer about your field (future profession, career, job)
• Compose a question that does not have a yes or no, or a simple, fact-based response/answer.
• Compose an research essay with the following components: (the pages are approximate, but use this structure)
• Page 1
  • 1st paragraph
    • An introductory paragraph that informs me about your future/current field (briefly), and then states an arguable thesis with supporting topics (the thesis may be 1-3 sentences).
  • 2nd paragraph
    • Explains the topic that you are asking a question about, and provides any needed information, such as definitions, history, or any other contextual information. This paragraph will then also state your reason for asking the question and exploring the topic that your essay will respond to and "argue" about, including why you believe it's important to investigate.
• Page 2
  • 3rd paragraph
    • This paragraph is a review of the sources that you are using for evidence. This is often called a "Literature Review." Please use the following format to write the source review paragraph:
      • "This essay uses scholarly and credible sources that address the following topics: (list a few topics here). The authors are experts and scholars about (what subjects? list them here!). The dates of the sources range from (xx year to xx year – state the time range here, by year only is fine!). These sources support my argument because they address the following: (briefly discuss the ideas/claims/information). Be very clear here!
• Pages 2 – 4 (minimum)
  • Body paragraphs
    • Each contains a clear, specific topic sentence relates to the argumentative thesis support ideas
    • Each contains evidence that supports the paragraph's topic and the essay's main claim, referring directly back to the argumentative thesis
• Last page/conclusion
  • 1st paragraph:
    • Summarizes the evidence/source support
    • Refers directly back to the original question that your essay asked, as well as to the argumentative thesis, including how the evidence responds to the thesis and your essay's question
  • 2nd paragraph:
    • Explains how the research relates to your stated personal interest in the topic, including answering what you now believe and how you now think about the topic after completing the research to learn more and respond to the question. This paragraph should be reflective and personal.

• NOTE: You should follow the formula outlined here for success. I am more interested in your content, so I have laid out the essay's structure for you to use. You are also welcome to use the first person/"I" throughout the essay.

By completing this assignment you will have worked toward the following module level learning objective:

• Compose final draft of guided research essay

Rubric

Research Essay

Research Essay

Criteria	Ratings	Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome1st paragraph states question and arguable thesis with supporting topics	2.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome2nd paragraph explains topic and your personal reason for choosing topic and why argument is being made	2.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome3rd paragraph: Reviews sources, using a full paragraph and structure provided in assignment	2.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBody paragraphs contain clear, topic sentence related to thesis	2.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeBody paragraphs contain research that supports topic, argument and they refer directly back to thesis	10.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIn-text citations: at least 5 in-text citations (quotes and at least one paraphrase), with quote sandwich used each time	10.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSources – 5 total minimum with at least 2 scholarly, and all must also be credible	10.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization and structure: transitions used between paragraphs and ideas	2.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	2.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: grammar and editing is correct and clean including few to no errorsspelling, punctuation, and other mechanics	5.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA format: the essay adheres closely to MLA formatting standards, including in-text citations and works cited page	5.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLate penaltySubmitted up to one full day late, -10, up to 2 full days late, -20, up to three full days late, -30. Zero points earned if turned in after three full days have passed the due date and time.	0.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	0.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLengthWord count must be included at end of submission. -10 points if word count NOT included. Essay penalized by -5 points per 100 words under 1000 word minimum. If less than 500 words, essay automatically fails and earns zero points.	0.0 pts Full Marks 0.0 pts No Marks	0.0 pts