argumentative essay instructions and rubric

8/4/2019 Argumentative Essay Instructions and Rubric

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Argumentative Essay INGL 3103

Instructor K. Long

Instructions

Students, the time has come to write your first major essay for this course. I am confident that you will

all do well because up until now, your work has been great. Please read this document in its entirety.

Remember: If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me [email protected]. I

usually answer emails in a timely matter.

Steps to Writing an Argumentative Essay:

1. You need to chose a topic and come up with a well defied claim for this topic.a.

Ex. Topic- Prostitution Claim- Prostitution should be legalized

2. Come up with good reasons that support your claim.a. Ex. Prostitution can help the economy. Prostitution can lower the spread of STDs.

3. Respond to opposing claims.a. Ex. Some people say that prostitution is immoral, but immorality is already a part of our culture.

4. Come up with vivid examples that prove your point and paint a memorable picture in the readers mindby using language strategically.

5. Use your book for more information. (Argument, Outline and Argument Examples section)Tips and Warnings:

1. DO NOT PLAGIARISE2. Make sure you integrate at least 2 scholarly articles. These articles do not come from WebPages,

newspapers, or magazines. They come from databases. I sent you the power point that was used in the

library orientation, please look it over. I am also available to help.

Specific Rules:

1. The essay should be between 2-3 pages. Please do not go over 3 pages.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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2. The paper must follow MLA format and include a works cited page.3. Argumentative essays will be evaluated according to the use of rhetoric and language within the

discussion and effective incorporation of textual evidence found from the scholarly journals and/or other

library sources.

Due Dates:

Rough Draft: Due on October 11, 2011 (Peer Review). This day bring you rough draft, the outline, andat least ONE (1) article that you will use for your essay. If you come unprepared for class, you will be

marked absent and lose points for the essay.

Final Draft: Due on October 17, 2011. Make sure you get to class on time and ready to hand in:o The final draft (Essay itself)o The final outlineo Brainstorming Techniqueo The first drafto Copies ofBoth articles that were used in the essay and any other sources that are used.o Rubric ( a MUST)

If you do not turn in your essay on the due date, you will lose 5 points each day.


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INGL 3103: Evaluation Sheet for Argumentative PapersInstructor K. Long

Excellent Good Fair Poor

Originality andCreativity

FIVE (5)Points

The title, topic, andintroductory sentencedemonstrate outstandingoriginality and creativity.(5 POINTS)

The title, topic, andintroductory sentencedemonstrate a salientdegree of originality.(4 - 3 POINTS)

The title, topic, andintroductory sentence arequite unoriginal anddemonstrate lack of depth.(2 - 1 POINTS)

The title, topic, andintroductory sentencedemonstrate a total lack oforiginality.(0 POINTS)

Main Idea or

InterpretationTEN (10)Points

The main idea or

interpretation of the paperis specific, precise, clear,and well-planned.(10 - 8 POINTS)

The main idea or

interpretation is somewhatclear, and it lacksspecificity andpreciseness.(7 - 5 POINTS)

The main idea or

interpretation is unclear,and/or it is too general andimprecise.(4 2 POINTS)

The paper lacks a main

idea or centralinterpretation. There is nopoint being made ordefended.(1 - 0 POINTS)

Content

Twenty-Five(25) Points

Ideas are clear andthoroughly explained.Provides a balancedamount of details andevidence. Demonstratesan arrayed use of Englishvocabulary.(25 - 20 POINTS)

Ideas are clear but lacksupporting evidence anddetails. Certain words arerepeated constantly.Provides a somewhatbalanced amount oftextual evidence anddetails.

(19

15 POINTS)

Ideas lack clarity andsupporting details. Ideasare disconnected from themain idea or interpretationof the short story.Vocabulary is too basicand lackluster. Providesweak evidence.

(14

10 POINTS)

Total lack of clarity. Lacksthe basic elements of aliterary analysis paper.Demonstrates a limiteduse of vocabulary andincorporation of ideas.Evidence is irrelevant.(9 0 POINTS)

Development

Twenty (20)Points

The paper follows anorganized structure andconnects ideas usingeffective rhetoricalstrategies. Theintroduction opens up thetopic appropriately, andthe conclusion providescomplete closure.(20 - 15 POINTS)

The paper lacks aneffective and organizedstructure. The introductionbriefly opens up the topic.The conclusion leavessome questions orsuggestions unanswered.Some ideas seemdisconnected and lackrhetorical strategies.(14 10 POINTS)

Essay jumps from oneidea to the next withoutcreating effectiveconnections. Theintroduction does notpresent any idea orcontext for the paper. Theconclusion does notprovide sufficient close,and leaves manyquestions unanswered.Unorganized.(9 - 5 POINTS)

Ideas and evidence arerandom and incoherent.The paper demonstrates acomplete lack ofthoughtfulness andorganization. Completelylacks the use of rhetoricalstrategies, and the readerconstantly feels lost.(4 - 0 POINTS)

Grammar andOrthography

Fifteen (15)Points

Demonstrates artfulcommand of intermediateEnglish vocabulary. Fewor no grammatical errors.(15 13 POINTS)

Demonstrates decentcommand of intermediateEnglish vocabulary. Someerrors distract the reader.(12 9 POINTS)

Demonstrates basicknowledge of Englishvocabulary. Thegrammaticalerrors confuse the reader.(8 5 POINTS)

The paper is unreadabledue to the vast amount ofgrammatical errorspresent within the paper.(4 - 0 POINTS)

General EssayRules

Fifteen (15)Points

Follows all of the rulesgiven for this essay (wordlimit, instructions, selectionof texts, outline, etc.).(15 13 POINTS)

Follows most of the rulesgiven for this essay (wordlimit, instructions, selectionof texts, etc.).(12 9 POINTS)

Follows a couple of therules given for this essay(word limit, instructions,selection of texts, etc.).(8 5 POINTS)

Follows few of the rulesgiven for this essay (wordlimit, instructions, selectionof texts, etc.). Or noprinted copies of thearticles used wereprovided.

(4

0 POINTS)MLA Format

Five (5) Points

Follows all of the standardMLA guidelines (quotes,Works Cited, spacing,etc.)(5 POINTS)

Follows most of thestandard MLA guidelines(quotes, Works Cited,spacing, etc.)(4 3 POINTS)

Follows some of thestandard MLA guidelines(quotes, paging,spacing...)(2 1 POINTS)

Follows few of thestandard MLA guidelines(quotes, page number,spacing, etc.)(0 POINTS)

Previous Draft

Five (5) Points

A previous complete draftreviewed by a classmatewas included with the finaldraft.(5 POINTS)

N/A A previous draft that wastoo incomplete or notreviewed was includedwith the final draft.(3 POINTS)

No previous draft wasincluded with the finaldraft.(0 POINTS)


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Student: ______________________________ Section: __________

Total Amount of Points: __________ Final Grade: __________

Additional Comments:__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Overriding Criterion (Originality and Authenticity): If it is determined that the academic paper was plagiarized,downloaded from a webpage, translated using an online computer program, written by another person,

originally written as a requisite for a previous class, or created/obtained in any manner that violates the

intellectual or academic integrity of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagez Campus, the student willautomatically receive a grade of F (0%) on this paper. Depending on the gravity of the situation, the student

might face being reported to the appropriate academic authorities.

argumentative essay instructions and rubric

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