Deliverable Requirements
Compose an essay that synthesizes at least five sources your class covered this semester. The essay should be a minimum of 750 words, not counting the works cited page or supporting visuals. Create your paper using a word processing program using a serif font.
Your instructor will assess and grade this assignment using the following criteria:
A: Completed all tasks with excellence, to or beyond specified requirements
B: Completed all tasks to specified requirements; one or two small details may be missing, or there may be minor errors in spelling or grammar
C: Completed most tasks to specified requirements
D: Did not complete most tasks as specified
F: Failed to turn in the assignment, failed proficiency, or Plagiarized
The Grading Rubric
Integration and Synthesis of Source Material
The writer integrates and synthesizes source material. The writer uses ideas, quotations, and other items from at least five of the required readings, or the writer paraphrases source material to support their thesis. The writer does more than merely mention the source; the writer uses the source to argue a position or support a claim. The writer synthesizes ideas from at least five sources and demonstrates relationships between the sources to make a new coherent whole. The writer says something new or finds a new way of looking at something old. The essay has a title that informs the reader of its purpose and tone. The writer provides concluding remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas.
45 points
Thesis Statement
The writer’s thesis is narrow enough for the scope of the essay. It provides direction, either by statement of a position or hypothesis. The thesis statement addresses a specific issue or topic. The thesis statement gives the reader a preview of how the writer will build their case. The thesis statement is specific. The thesis statement is debatable. The thesis statement is arguable.
15 points
Citations
The writer cites all data obtained from sources, using MLA citations in both text and Works Cited.
10 points
Multi-Modal Component
The writer uses at least three static images, one audio clip, or one visual clip.
Static images include drawings, art, cartoons, graphs, charts, photographs, text-box inserts, etc.
10 points
Depth of Discussion
The essay is at least 750 words long. The writer discusses topics in depth, making it far from ‘raw.’ The writer does more than merely quote from a source using one statement; the source is truly integrated into the content.
5 points
Cohesiveness and Structure
Organization is coherent and supports the essay’s purpose. The paper has an introduction. The writer introduces the topic’s exigency. The introduction provides background. The introduction presents an urgent problem or an issue that must be solved or addressed, or the introduction presents a question that must be answered or a mystery that must be solved. The writer ties together information from all sources. Ideas flow from one to the next. The writer connects sources in a meaningful, clear way. Transitions from one sentence to another are logical and smooth. Key terms or words appear throughout the essay and help to connect the essay’s parts.
5 Points
Spelling, Grammar, and Mechanics
The essay is error-free. The language is specific and clear. The writer uses proper nouns. The writer uses concrete nouns. The writer uses power verbs. The essay is free of spelling errors. The essay is free of mechanical errors. The essay is free of grammatical errors. The writer uses U.S. punctuation instead of British.
5 points
Formal Diction and Style
The writer writes actively (fewer than twenty-four passive constructions), uses a high percentage of proper nouns, avoids overused synonyms such as ‘large’ or ‘huge,’ avoids overusing clauses and phrases, and keeps the text easy to understand. The essay does not contain needless repetition or needless metacommentary (I think, I feel, in my opinion, I believe, etc.).
5 points
