Signature Assignment ENGL 1301: Composition I

Examining a Social Issue

Course

Assignment Title

Assignment ID (to be assigned)

Outcomes/Rubrics to be Assessed by the Assignment

o Communicationo Critical Thinkingo Personal Responsibilityo

o Teamwork at end of document

Assignment Description

Write an essay of 600 – 750 words (2.5 – 3 pages) that examines a topic basedon one or more of our class readings. The essay must do the following:

o Provide background information (events, important persons,controversies etc.) so that an uninformed reader may understand thecontext of the issue/topic and your approach to it.

o Indicate clearly the purpose of the paper to persuade a reader thatyou have taken a sensible position on an issue.

o Include a clearly stated thesis sentence.o Support the thesis with clearly relevant content in the paper

paragraphs so that each includes more than one supporting idea andseveral specific examples and illustrations.

o Integrate relevant reference materials as summary, paraphrase, orquotations and include your interpretations of these references todemonstrate their relevance to the topic.

o Attribute and document accurately all information from sources.o Draw an informed conclusion based on the reading, your sources, and,

if appropriate, your own experience.o Include correct internal and ending reference information following

MLA format requirements.

Proofread your essay to identify and correct major grammar problems likesentence fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, etc.

Complete this essay in several stages (for example: pre-writing, drafting,revising/ editing a draft) and submit the work for each of those stages atposted deadlines

Write a 250+ word reflection addressing how your position and writing skillshave grown over the course of doing your assignment, how you dealt withchallenging concepts, and what you can do to further your knowledge in thefuture.

Assignment Design Worksheet: Written Communication

ENGL 1301

Examining a Social Issue

Course

Assignment Title

Assignment ID (to be assigned)

Criterion Design (How does the assignment ask students to perform in the manner expected by the criterion?)

Context of and Purpose for Writing

- Student must provide background information (events, importantpersons, controversies etc.) so that an uninformed reader mayunderstand the context of the issue/topic and your approach to it.

Content Development

- Students must indicate clearly the purpose of the paper to persuade areader that they have taken a sensible position on an issue.

- Students must include a clearly stated thesis sentence.- Students must support the thesis with clearly relevant content in the

paper paragraphs so that each includes more than one supporting ideaand several specific examples and illustrations.

- Students must draw an informed conclusion based on the reading, theirsources, and, if appropriate, their own experience.

- Students must complete this essay in several stages (for example: pre-writing, drafting, revising/ editing a draft) and submit the work for eachof those stages at posted deadlines

Genre and Disciplinary Conventions

- Students must include correct internal and ending referenceinformation following MLA format requirements.

Sources and Evidence

- Students must integrate relevant reference materials as summary,paraphrase, or quotations and include their interpretations of thesereferences to demonstrate their relevance to the topic.

- Students must attribute and document accurately all information fromsources.

Control of Syntax and Mechanics

- Students must proofread their essay to identify and correct majorgrammar problems like sentence fragments, run-on sentences, commasplices, etc.

Readability of Visual Elements

N/A

Relevance, Accuracy, and Integration of Visual Elements

N/A

Assignment Design Worksheet: Critical Thinking ENGL 1301

Examining a Social Issue

Course

Assignment Title

Assignment ID (to be assigned)

Criterion Design (How does the assignment ask students to perform in the manner expected by the criterion?)

Explanation of Issues

- Provide background information (events, important persons, controversiesetc.) so that an uninformed reader may understand the context of theissue/topic and your approach to it.

Evidence - Students must integrate relevant reference materials as summary,paraphrase, or quotations and include their interpretations of thesereferences to demonstrate their relevance to the topic.

- Students must attribute and document accurately all information fromsources.

Influence of Context and Assumptions

- Provide background information (events, important persons,controversies etc.) so that an uninformed reader may understand thecontext of the issue/topic and your approach to it.

Student’s Position - Indicate clearly the purpose of the paper to persuade a reader thatyou have taken a sensible position on an issue.

- Include a clearly stated thesis sentence.- Support the thesis with clearly relevant content in the paper

paragraphs so that each includes more than one supporting idea andseveral specific examples and illustrations.

Conclusions and Related Outcomes

- Draw an informed conclusion based on the reading, your sources, and,if appropriate, your own experience.

Assignment Design Worksheet: Personal Responsibility ENGL 1301

Examining a Social Issue

Course

Assignment Title

Assignment ID (to be assigned)

Criterion Design (How does the assignment ask students to perform in the manner expected by the criterion?)

Ethical Issue Recognition

- Provide background information (events, important persons,controversies etc.) so that an uninformed reader may understand thecontext of the issue/topic and your approach to it.

Curiosity - Write a 250+ word reflection addressing how your position and writingskills have grown over the course of doing your assignment, how youdealt with challenging concepts, and what you can do to further yourknowledge in the future.

Reflection and Self-Assessment

- Write a 250+ word reflection addressing how your position and writingskills have grown over the course of doing your assignment, how youdealt with challenging concepts, and what you can do to further yourknowledge in the future.

Solving Problems - Write a 250+ word reflection addressing how your position and writingskills have grown over the course of doing your assignment, how youdealt with challenging concepts, and what you can do to further yourknowledge in the future.

Evaluation of Different Ethical Perspectives or Concepts

- Provide background information (events, important persons,controversies etc.) so that an uninformed reader may understand thecontext of the issue/topic and your approach to it.

- Write a 250+ word reflection addressing how you dealt withchallenging concepts

Signature Assignment ENGL 1301

Examining a Social Issue

Course

Assignment Title

Assignment ID (to be assigned)

Outcomes/Rubrics to be Assessed by the Assignment

o Teamwork

Assignment Description

Work within a group of 3 or more students on some stage of creating theessay (for example: analyzing the reading, evaluating other sources, or revisinga draft), and submit an evaluation of how well your group worked together

Teamwork Reflection Prompt Questions

Directions: Reflect upon your teamwork skills by addressing the five questions below. Submit to Blackboard a typed document: a minimum of one page and a maximum of 2 pages.

Give specific examples and details in which you contributed to team meetings(online or face-to-face). What role did you play in team meetings ordiscussions (online or face-to-face)? What ideas or work did you contribute?Consider your verbal (vocal or written tone, etc.) and nonverbalcommunication (body language, facial expressions, etc.).

Give specific examples and details of how you encouraged others toparticipate. In what ways did you encourage or support participation by allteam members?

Give specific examples and details of how you contributed to the work

accomplished by the team. Explain the assignments and the completion of the

team’s responsibilities. Was your contribution to completing the project

thorough and on time?

Give specific examples and details of how well you worked with and related to

other team members. How did you help or motivate team members in a

positive and respectful way? What constructive feedback did you provide to

team members toward the completion of the project?

Remember, a conflict is not necessarily an argument or fight; it may be a

difference of opinion or a discussion with varying viewpoints that reaches a

specific conclusion. Give specific examples and details of how you contributed

to resolving conflicts within the team? How did the team discuss the issue or

come to a conclusion? What was your role in that process?