Problem Statement, Thesis, Annotated Works Cited due ______________________ (2 points possible)
Essay Outline due ______________________ (1 point possible)
Abstract plus Final paper due ______________________ (6 points possible)
If preliminary work is not turned in until the Final paper due date, the preliminary work will receive no points
No late or emailed papers accepted
Assignment must be completed in order to pass the class
Required Contents:
• Research describing a current problematic issue of significance, with an argumentative thesis recommending a specific
solution or course of action. You may choose between the three issues included in THINK Chapters 1, 11, or 12: the
problems and implications of affirmative action in college admissions, of internet plagiarism among college students, or
the teaching of intelligent design in public schools.
• Use of credible sources from multiple viewpoints; analyze all of the essays in your chapter in addition to outside sources.
• Identification and analysis of argumentation and reasoning techniques (including definition, analogy, cause and effect,
and statistics) used in your reading sources.
• Use of at least 5 sources in addition to those in THiNK. Use the articles in your text to identify the basic premises on
your issue, but go beyond them to add support for your argument and find a reasonable solution proposed by credible
sources.
o Your sources must be peer-reviewed journals, government sources, or other articles from EVC’s library or electronic
databases (these will give you in-depth material and often present information from multiple viewpoints), preferably
no more than ten years old
Required Format:
Neatly staple or paper clip the following (no folders, please):
1. 100 word abstract (summary of your problem and why it’s important to us, your paper’s key points, and your
solution/conclusion)
2. 7-8 page final draft, not counting abstract, outline, and works cited pages (8-10 page final draft for students with
Honors contracts)
3. Works cited page
4. Thesis, Annotated Works Cited, Outline (copies that were scored by instructor)
Assignment:
In Essay 6 you’re moving up in critical thinking skills to evaluation. Here you’ll be analyzing several authors’ arguments
about one problem, synthesizing and evaluating their premises and conclusions, and developing your own argument for a
solution. You may be using premises and research from multiple sources, but your thesis should be your own argument for a
solution to the controversy you’re studying. Refer to the Forms of Writing sections of the Course Reader on Rogerian and
Toulmin models of argumentation.
Consider all of the articles included in the chapter on your topic. Discuss the multiple points of view presented in the
assigned readings and your five academic sources, and then develop a cogent argument for your particular solution which is
supported by outside sources. The outside sources must represent multiple points of view on the issue, not only your own.
Be sure to read Boss’s introduction to your chosen essays, which will explain why the controversy is important and what effect
particular solutions might have. Look beyond the surface arguments.
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F19Hahn1CReader.doc
Preliminary Assignments:
1. Decide on your thesis or stance on this issue. Draft, and then revise your thesis statement until it is a clear and
complete argumentative solution. Take an emphatic, strong position.
2. The preliminary work is designed for me to give you feedback on your paper (see Assignment List for due dates of each
stage). Refer to the Forms of Writing sections of the Course Reader on abstracts, annotated works cited, and outlines
for more information on how to structure these assignments.
a. Write a problem statement paragraph that includes background on your problem (including the key arguments
on both sides), why it’s important, and your own argumentative thesis statement for a solution.
b. Below the problem statement paragraph, write an annotated works cited list which includes a cohesive 75-100
word summary (abstract) for each THiNK article and each of the 5 primary outside sources, beginning with a full
citation of the source in correct MLA format. Then briefly summarize which material in the source will be useful
to you and how you will use it to explain a particular idea, supply particular needed facts, offer a possible
solution, etc. Each primary source should be from an academic (not Google searched) source, no older than ten
years before this semester’s date. Together the sources must represent multiple viewpoints in addition to the
THiNK articles.
c. For your next assignment due date, prepare a formal outline of your essay’s contents with an updated works
cited list, without annotations, in alphabetical order.
Drafting the Paper:
3. Set up your introduction to explain why the issue is important and a give a summary of the key arguments on both
sides. Add your revised, clear, complete thesis.
4. In your body paragraphs of the first half of the paper, analyze the premises and conclusions in the THiNK and other
source articles on your topic. Use the strong premises to support your stance and point out the weaknesses in the
opposing premises. Cover both sides of the issue—be fair and balanced. Concede points to the opposing side when you
cannot rebut them.
5. In the second half of the paper, explain your argument, or what you consider to be the best argumentative solution for
the problem which has been proposed by expert sources. Support your argument with additional premises from your
sources. Cite the source of every idea, fact, statistic, quote, and paraphrase that is not your own. Be sure to set up and
then comment on each quote or paraphrase. Then explain how research has developed/reshaped your thinking about
this issue. If you’re having trouble with this, think about your own preferences and reasoning/evidence in regard to this
issue, and whether or not that has changed. Explain where the issue stands today, including pending court cases or
legislation, and what action you recommend.
6. Remember to use topic sentences related to your premises to introduce your paragraphs and tie to your paper’s thesis.
Don’t simply organize your paper by writing a paragraph about each source, as though you’d simply strung several
annotated works cited entries together. Use your sources to support your premises, not provide your premises.
7. When your draft is complete, write a 75-100 word abstract which summarizes your problem statement and your thesis
for recommended solution. Place it at the beginning of your paper. Unlike your paper’s introduction, the abstract does
not contain information on the sources you used or opposing arguments. It focuses on defining the problem, who is
affected by it, why it’s important to solve, and your thesis.
8. Use MLA format for all works cited and in-text citations. Proofread carefully. Revise your paper to meet the
organization and mechanics requirements on the grading sheet.
Essay 6 Final Draft Rubric
Essay 6 Final Draft Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTimely Submission
1. You have turned in a problem statement, thesis, and annotated works cited of 2 THiNK sources and 5 academic or peer-reviewed sources representing multiple viewpoints on time.
2. You have turned in an academic, detailed outline of the paper on time.
15 pts
Full Marks
9 pts
Almost There
Your submission does show late and/or incomplete materials such as the annotated works cited missing
0 pts
No Marks
Your submission is not accepted.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAbstract
3. You have summarized the problem statement and your solution in a 75-100 word abstract.
15 pts
Full Marks
9 pts
Almost There
Your abstract either exceed or did not meet the stated word count. Moreover, your abstract is not an effective summary.
0 pts
No Marks
There is no abstract.
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe Introduction of the essay
4. The introduction of the essay clearly identifies the issue and sources being analyzed. It also contains a brief synopsis of the content of the paper as well as your thesis, or argument for a solution on the issue discussed.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay’s introduction lacks a combination of what’s stated.
0 pts
No Marks
Your essay’s introduction is not accepted because it has serious errors and/or flaws.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe Major Premises of 2 THiNK Sources
5. The major premises of your 2 THiNK sources (and others, which offer evidence to support your conclusions as well as opposing views) are accurately and adequately identified (with citations where needed).
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay shows inadequate identifications of the major premises in both essays. Moreover, these identifications are not accurate.
0 pts
No Marks
There is no identification of the major premises, or you’ve only identified these premises in one article, not both.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeYour Own Argument
6. You spend the second half of the paper to clearly state your own argument for a solution to the problem and provide specific, supporting evidence from the assigned essays and 5 additional academic or peer-reviewed sources representing multiple points of view on the issue.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay shows a few issues with your own argument, especially when you attempted to integrate at least five academic (scholarly) sources but have done so inadequately or incorrectly.
0 pts
No Marks
You have integrated too few sources into your own argument, or your argument is inadequate or underdeveloped.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDevices of Argument
7. The sources’ use of devices of argument are labeled accurately (applying the terms, such as premise, conclusion, inference, evidence, analogy, biased language, logical fallacy, warranted or unwarranted assumption). Each argument’s strengths and weaknesses are identified and explained.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay shows inadequate use of devices of argument and does not identify both strengths and weaknesses for each argument.
0 pts
No Marks
Your essay does not attempt to accurately label, analyze, and discuss the devices of arguments in each article.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussion of Impact of your Analysis
8. At the end of the analysis, you discuss the impact this analysis has had on you or the importance of your argument and reiterate your thesis or stance.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost there
Your discussion is either inadequate or underdeveloped. There is no unity, coherence, or re-emphasis of your stance.
0 pts
No Marks
There is little to no discussion of the impact of your analysis.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThe Organization of Your Essay
9. The organization of the essay flows smoothly, organized around your own arguments, not merely a string of information from sources. Each paragraph’s topic sentence relates to the thesis and adequately develops your own arguments with supporting evidence such as quotes and examples from sources. You have transitions between your main points, between your examples, and between ideas. Each sentence is clearly related to the sentence that precedes it and to the sentence that follows.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay’s organization can use more improvements in terms of paragraph structure, topic sentence, transitions, and/or thesis support.
0 pts
No Marks
There is no discernible structure to your essay.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSentences and Wording
10. The sentences and wording of the essay show correct college level usage of English; you have used exact language, concrete nouns, active verbs, and correct word endings, and have avoided wordiness, clichés, and pretentious language. Your sentences have logical predication, logical connectors, and correct punctuation.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
Your essay has more than seven types of errors in sentences and wording.
0 pts
No Marks
Your essay is seriously marred by errors in sentences and wording.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA Guidelines
11. You have followed MLA guidelines and have provided a works cited sheet: entries in alphabetical order, not numbered, indented AFTER the first line. For direct quotations, you set up and explain the quote beforehand and analyze its importance afterward. You have used in-text citations tied to the first element in the works cited entry to document quotations, paraphrases, facts, and statistics, and included page numbers when available.
20 pts
Full Marks
12 pts
Almost There
You attempted to format your essay and the works cited page using MLA guidelines, yet there are still rooms for improvement.
0 pts
No Marks
Your essay does not show MLA format, done correctly, or it has serious errors in MLA formatting.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePacket Completion
12. The packet is complete: the final essay on top, works cited page, and outline.
10 to >0.0 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
