Essay

After reading about how to join academic conversations, it is now your turn to report what they say and add your I say. For this first paper, you will not be conducting your own research, but instead using the information you take from the readings at the back of the textbook. This is a 3-5 page essay that you will later expand upon and revise for your final essay, so make sure you choose a topic that interests you. And remember, this is not a simple report of what other scholars have thought, but your opportunity to contribute your own ideas.

To complete this assignment, do the following:

• Select a topic that interests you from the list:
  • How can we bridge the differences that divide us?
  • Is college the best option?
  • Are we in a race against the machine?
  • What’s gender got to do with it?
  • What’s there to eat?
• Read at least four of the offered readings (hint: try to read articles on both the positive and negative side).
• Based on the readings, consider if you agree, disagree, or a bit of both for your preferred question. For example, if you choose, Are we in a race against the machine? Then your essay will address whether or not you think machines are problematic for modern society.
• Reporting what they say you’ll demonstrate how you can enter an academic conversation and insert your own I say ideas supported by information from the articles.

Requirements

• MLA citation format
• 3-5 pages in length
• Addresses the question and adds to the academic conversation (as described in the rubric)
• Integrated in-text citations with corresponding works cited page

Essay 1 Rubric

Essay 1 Rubric

CriteriaRatingsPts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClaim and Main PointsHow well did integrate what they say and add your own I say?

20.0 to >18.0 ptsExcellent
Writer summarizes and explains the arguments presented by the articles without error or confusion; makes a well-supported opinion on the topic; supports their opinion very well with source material

18.0 to >16.0 ptsProficient
Writer summarizes and explains articles’ argument well; states their opinion; supports their opinion with source material but source information is sometimes disconnected or inadequately explained

16.0 to >14.0 ptsSatisfactory
Writer summarizes and explains the articles with some confusion; opinion is somewhat unclear or indistinct; little to no support for claim and/or may not be researched support

14.0 to >12.0 ptsNeeds Improvement
Writer mentions argument from the articles without summary or explanation; opinion is either missing or incomprehensible; support for claim is either disconnected, unresearched, or confusing

12.0 to >0 ptsNot Evident
Writer fails to mention the argument presented in articles; fails to make an opinion on the topic; essay is disconnected and/or does not address the prompt

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization

20.0 to >18.0 ptsExcellent
Logical, compelling progression of ideas in essay; clear structure; organization flows so smoothly the reader hardly thinks about it; effective, mature, graceful transitions

18.0 to >16.0 ptsProficient
Overall, the paper is logically developed; progression of ideas in essay makes sense and moves the reader easily through the text; transitions exist throughout and add to the essay’s coherence

16.0 to >14.0 ptsSatisfactory
Progression of ideas is awkward yet moves the reader through the text without too much confusion; the writer sometimes lunges ahead too quickly or spends too much time on details that do not matter; transitions appear sporadically

14.0 to >12.0 ptsNeeds Improvement
Some sense of organization but ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; lots of repetition and/or tangents; very few transitions used

12.0 to >0 ptsNot Evident
Arrangement is unclear and illogical; lacks a clear sense of direction; there is no identifiable internal structure; readers have trouble following the writer’s line of thought; no transitions present

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSource Material and Citations (in-text and works cited)“collaborate in communication of readers and writers”

20.0 to >18.0 ptsExcellent
Source material is smoothly integrated into the text. All sources are accurately documented in the correct MLA format both in the text and on the Works Cited page.

18.0 to >16.0 ptsProficient
Source material is used. All sources are documented, but some are not in the correct MLA format. Some sources lack credibility.

16.0 to >14.0 ptsSatisfactory
Source material is used, but integration may be awkward. All sources are accurately documented, but many are not in the correct MLA format or lack credibility.

14.0 to >12.0 ptsNeeds Improvement
Lacks sources and/or sources are not accurately documented. Format is incorrect for all sources.

12.0 to >0 ptsNot Evident
No source information is used.

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGrammar & Mechanics“increase your control of situation-appropriate conventions in writing”

20.0 to >18.0 ptsExcellent
Demonstrates a high level of proficiency in grammar and mechanics; mostly error-free

18.0 to >16.0 ptsProficient
Demonstrates proficiency in grammar and mechanics; some errors but they do not affect comprehension

16.0 to >14.0 ptsSatisfactory
Usually demonstrates proficiency in grammar and mechanics; some errors may affect comprehension

14.0 to >12.0 ptsNeeds Improvement
Inconsistently demonstrates proficiency in grammar and mechanics; errors affect comprehension

12.0 to >0 ptsNot Evident
Grammar and mechanics are deficient – errors greatly affect comprehension

20.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAssignment Requirements

20.0 to >18.0 ptsExcellent
3-5 pages in length; utilized source material from the articles; addressed one of the prompts from the readings; correctly formatted MLA academic header

18.0 to >16.0 ptsProficient
One requirement not met: 3-5 pages in length; utilized source material from the articles; addressed one of the prompts from the readings; correctly formatted MLA academic header

16.0 to >14.0 ptsSatisfactory
Two requirements not met: 3-5 pages in length; utilized source material from the articles; addressed one of the prompts from the readings; correctly formatted MLA academic header

14.0 to >12.0 ptsNeeds Improvement
Three requirements not met: 3-5 pages in length; utilized source material from the articles; addressed one of the prompts from the readings; correctly formatted MLA academic header

12.0 to >0 ptsNot Evident
No requirements met

20.0 pts

Total Points: 100.0