ESSAY 1 INSTRUCTIONS AND CHECKLIST
Narrative Argument about Education
In Module/Week 3, you will write a 1000-word (3–4-page) narrative essay in response to the following prompt: Use a personal narrative to state your views in response to 1 of the assigned readings on education.
Be sure to follow the writing processes guidelines: gather all of your information, plan the direction of your essay, and organize your ideas by developing a 1-page thesis statement and outline for your essay. Format the thesis statement and the outline into a single Word document using current MLA, APA, or Turabian style (whichever corresponds to your degree program). Submit the thesis and outline by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 2 for instructor feedback.
As you compose your essay, be sure to:
• Follow the appropriate formatting style for your degree program (MLA, APA, or Turabian).
• Use signal phrases and proper in-text citations; make sure you include a references or works cited page.
• Use the grading rubric, the Outline Suggestions document, and the proofreading checklist (provided below) to draft and revise your essay.
• Include your thesis statement and outline on a separate page at the end of the document.
• Type your degree program and which style of writing you are using (MLA, APA, or Turabian) on the title page of your assignment so that your instructor can grade your essay accordingly.
You may use 1 or more of the authors from the readings you have completed so far. Be sure to fully cite all quotations, summaries, and paraphrases used within your essay, or those excerpts will be regarded as plagiarism and will result in a “0” on your essay and possibly course failure.
This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 3 and must include a title page, the essay itself, a works cited/references page of any primary or secondary texts cited in the essay, and the thesis/outline page.Do not forget to write your degree program and whether you are using MLA, APA, or Turabian on the title page and in the “Submission Title” field when submitting your paper.
Proofreading Checklist
Part 1:
Read through your paper and check the appropriate boxes on the chart below. If any area of your paper needs revision, make sure you correct it before submitting your essay. One of the best ways to proofread your writing is to read it backward to forward, sentence-by-sentence. This helps you to see words and ideas that you may have missed. Another very successful tool for proofreading is to read your work out loud to someone else. Individuals often think that handing their paper to someone and asking them to read it is the same thing, but it is not. Instead, ask someone to listen while you read your own words. You will immediately hear what you missed or will want to improve in your writing.
Feature
(Instruction from Lessons 1-8) Successful Needs Revision
x
1. Clearly shows my opinion
2. Tells a story that reflects my opinion
3. Contains pathos (emotional) appeals
4. Contains ethos (values/belief) appeals
5. Contains logos (factual) appeals
6. Title reflects my issue and opinion.
7. Contains appropriate header for my discipline (MLA, APA, Turabian)
8. If using current APA format, contains properly formatted title and abstract pages
9. Double-spaced
10. Margins are 1-inch wide on all sides.
11. Font is 12-point Times New Roman.
12. References/Works cited page includes all sources used for this essay.
13. Checked the spelling
Part 2:
When you are satisfied with the quality of your essay, post it to Blackboard via the SafeAssign link for grading. Do not forget to write your degree program and whether you are using MLA, APA, or Turabian on the title page and in the “Submission Title” field when submitting your paper.
ESSAY 1 AND 2 GRADING RUBRIC
Essential requirements for grading:
1. The essay has been submitted to SafeAssign,
2. The essay addresses the writing prompt, and
3. The essay follows the assignment instructions (-5 points deduction for not submitting the Thesis/Outline assignment for feedback as stated in the instructions).
Criteria Levels of Achievement
Good/Excellent Fair/Competent Deficient Points Earned
Development 39 to 45 points
Major points are stated clearly and are well-supported. Content is persuasive and comprehensive. Content and purpose of the writing is clear. Thesis has a strong claim. The audience is clear and appropriate for the topic. Supportive information (if required) is strong and addresses writing focus. 31 to 38 points
Major points are addressed, but clarity or support is limited. Content is somewhat persuasive or comprehensive. Content is inconsistent (lack of clear purpose and/or clarity). The thesis could be stronger. Supportive information (if required) needs strengthening or does not address writing concepts. 0 to 30 points
Major points are unclear and/or insufficiently supported. The content is missing essentials. The content has unsatisfactory purpose, focus, and clarity. Supportive information (if required) is missing.
Organization and Structure 39 to 45 points
Writing is well-structured, clear, and easy-to-follow. Introduction compellingly forecasts the topic and thesis. Each paragraph is unified and has a clear central idea. Transitional wording is present throughout the writing. Conclusion is a logical end to the writing. 31 to 38 points
Adequately organized with some areas difficult to follow. Introduction needs to provide a stronger gateway into the writing. Some paragraphs lack unity. Better transitions are needed to provide fluency of ideas. Conclusion is trite or barely serves its purpose. 0 to 30 points
Organization and structure detract from the writer’s message. Introduction and/or conclusion are incomplete or missing. Paragraphs are not unified (more than 1 topic/missing or inadequate controlling and concluding sentences). Transitions are missing. Conclusion, if present, fails to serve its purpose.
Criteria Good/Excellent Fair/Competent Deficient Points Earned
Grammar and Diction 39 to 45 points
The writing reflects grammatical, punctuation, and spelling standards. Language is accurate, appropriate, and effective. Writing’s tone is appropriate and highly effective. 31 to 38 points
The writing contains some grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Language is unclear, awkward, or inappropriate in parts. The writing’s tone is generally appropriate and moderately effective. 0 to 30 points
The writing contains many grammatical, punctuation, and/or spelling errors. Language use is largely inaccurate or inappropriate. The writing’s tone is ineffective and/or inappropriate.
Format: Current MLA/APA/ Turabian Paper Requirements 11 to 15 points
Writing correctly follows formatting guidelines. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are used correctly and appropriately. 5 to 10 points
Writing follows most formatting guidelines, but some flaws are detected. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations are incorrectly formatted or used. 0 to 4 points
Writing lacks many elements of correct formatting. Parenthetical and bibliographical source citations and/or references are not provided.
Total
Instructor’s Comments:
