Author: chris

hat is the nature of human beings?

We have to write a paper over one of the philosophers we were given. It has to be 6 pages in length not including the cover and bibliography. It is based off the 5 questions 1. What is his universal reality? which is “the good” and/or forms 2. what is the nature of the world? chaotic 3.what is the nature of human beings? body and soul, mind is good body is bad 4. What is the source of the problem or problems human beings face? ignorance/opinion 5.what is the solution to the problem/problems human beings face? education

Determine the ratio between argument and evidence.

English  290.950:  Intermediate  Analytical  Writing

Writing Assignment:

 

Submit a 12 page research essay formatted in your

discipline’s style with bibliography, 10 sources.

 

You  will  begin writing  your  annotated  bibliographies  now,  but  you  should  also  start  to  write  this research  paper  alongside  the  bibliographic  work.  At  this  point  you  are  jotting  down  notes  about  what  you  need  to  do  to  communicate  your  line  of  inquiry,  or  what  needs  more  context  and  support.  I  think  you  should  have  some  overall  sketch  or  outline  with  which  to  work  at  this  stage

as  well.  This  may  change,  and  dramatically.  The  point,  though,  is  get  your  best  ideas  to  date  on  paper.  Start  composing,  a  little  at  a  time.  A  good  goal  right  now  is  a  paragraph  a  day.

  1.  Annotation  review.  Please  click  the  link  to  Cal  Poly’s  Kennedy  Library  tutorial  about  the  annotated  bibliography.  I  like  this  site  because  it  is  geared  to  the  undergraduate  researcher  and  is  written  in  simple,  clear  prose  (my  favorite  kind).  Think  of  the  annotated  bibliography  as  a  field  guide  for  a  future  researcher;  you  are  helping  him  or  her  navigate  the  available  scholarship  by

describing  the  way  in  which  an  article,  book,  documentary  or  survey  is  useful  in  contributing  to  one’s  knowledge  of  the  topic.  An  annotation  will  alert  a  fe

llow  researcher  to  useful  special  features,  like  data  or  graphs.  An  annotation  might  speak  to  the  source’s  credibility.  There  is  also  a  solid  citation  guideline  page  on  Cal  Poly’s  library  website  (link).  Please  review  (or

stick  with  OWL  Purdue)  if  you  are somewhat  new  to  your  discipline’s  style.  Note  that  the  page  has  live  links  to  various  styles’  home  pages;  I  urge  you  to  click  and  learn.

  1.  Unit  3: Annotated  Bibliography  and  Proposal
  2.  Unit  4:  Extended  Definition  of  Key  Term

Note  that  there  are  particularly  important  terms  that  reappear  consistently  in  the

discourse.  You  will  have  to  engage  with  that  term  when  you  write  this  paper  and,  as  such, you  should  unpack  that  category

–both  for  yourself  and  for  your  readers.  Identify  one  specialized  term  you  will  be  using  in  your  Unit  5  Discipline

-­‐Specific  Scholarly  Article.  Write  a  twopage  paper  that  defines

that  term  (not  a  dictionary  definition  –your  definition)  and  how  it  is  used  in  the  scholarship.  An  extended  definition  provides  a  larger  context  (historical,  sociological,  political,  biological)  for  understanding  that  term.  This  assignment  helps  you  to  engage  actively  with  the  language  of  your  field  (i.e.  discourse)  rather  than  parrot  it.

  1.  Start  writing  your  introduction (you  will  submit  the  first  two  pages next  week

for  me  to review).  The  key  here  is  to  make  sure  your  first  few  sentences

do  work.  They  must  contribute  to  the  overall  project  somehow:  perhaps  they  describe  something,  or  tell  an  anecdote.  Perhaps these  sentences  ask  a  key  question.  Each  sentence  has  to  have  a  purpose.  It  can  only  do  so

much  work,  but  it  has  to  do  something.  Let’s  face  it:  a  dictionary  definition  is  useless at  this  level.  It  also  drowns  your  voice  before  you  have  established  it.  So,  look  at  your  first  sentence.  If  it doesn’t  immediately  set  your  reader

along  or  towards  your  line  of  inquiry,  then  start  again.  Crisp,

clear,  purposeful  and  yours.  Each  sentencehas  a  purpose,  and

each  paragraph  has  a  purpose.  It  can  be  a  fairly  complex  one,  but  each  paragraph  performs  one  function.  Each  sentence  in  the paragraph  reasonably  and  logically  connects  to  the  one  before  it  and  the  one  after  it;  they  all

combine  as  one  unit  with  one  purpose.  That  is paragraph  unity

.  You  should  be  able  to  read  your  paragraph  and  know  what  its  purpose  is  (Description?  Claim?  Analysis  of  data?  Challenge  to  one

of  the  source’s  premise?).  You  should  be  able,  in  a  word  or  two,  describe

what  it  does  in  your  paper.  Your  paragraphs  are  the  stepping  stones  of  your  line  of  inquiry.  You  are  trying  to  communicate  a  path  to  your  reader,  one  stepping  stone  at  a  time.  But  now  you  need  to  connect

those  units  of  thought.  Write  strong  transitions  to connect  paragraphs.  You  should  know  the  logical  relationship  between  those  proximal  paragraphs;  if  you  don’t,  perhaps  they  ought  not  to be  next  to  each  other.  A  strong  transition  is  a  structural  move,  signaling  to  your  reader  that  you are  carrying  over  th

e  material  from  earlier  paragraph  in  order  to  do  something  with  it  in  the  new

paragraph.  If  you  don’t  know  what  the  relationship  is  between  two  paragraphs,  that  should  tell you  that  you  are  not  establishing  a  strong  line  of  inquiry.

In  a  short  paper  like this,  you  should  establish  what  your  thesis  somewhere  in  the  first  two  pages.

 

  1.  Determine  the  ratio  between argument and evidence.

You  want  a  nice  balance  between  your  claims  and  your  support.  This  isn’t  to  say  that  all  papers  ought  to  be  50/50.  Depending  on  the

nature  of  your  paper,  you  may  want  a  bit  more  evidence  than  argument (or  vice  versa). However,  there  should  be  a  balance.  If  your  paper  is  70%  argument  and  30%  evidence,  then  you need  more  support.  If  you  have  30%  argument  and  70%  evidence,  then  shore  up  your  claims throughout  paper.

  1.  Make  global  (“macro”)  revisions:  What  are  the  glaring  weaknesses?  Could  anyone  reading  this paper  know  what  this  paper  is  about  and  what  it  is  trying  to  achieve?  Are  there  sections  where  it is  hard  to  tell  what  the  overall  line  of  inquiry  is?
  2.  Make  local  (“micro”)  revisions:  Write  simple,  direct,  clear  sentences.  The  best  writers  write simply

–they  are  confident  in  their  ideas,  so  they  want  to  communicate  them  clearly.  Don’t  be afraid  to  be  simple,  which  is  different  from  simple-­minded.

 

 

 

Possible other paper:

Identify one specialized term you will be using in your Unit 5 Discipline

–

Specific Scholarly Article. Write a two page paper that defines that term (not a dictionary definition your definition) and how it is used in

the scholarship. An extended definition provides a larger context (historical, sociological, political, biological) for understanding that term.

 

 

Is the American Dream dead?

 

 

 

 

                                Topic:

Is the American Dream dead? ―It is a central premise of the American Dream: If one is willing

to work hard, he will be able to make a living and build a better life for self, family, children, etc.

But what if working hard isn’t enough to ensure success—or even the basics of daily life? In

most ways, the American Dream has always been an unattainable façade, a cultural myth to

keep the masses dreaming, but most importantly, keep the wheels of capitalism turning.

Choose a side and argue pro or con.

I’m going Con!


 

North Lake College

ENGL 1302-Composition 2 Essay 1 – the Rogerian Argument

DIRECTIONS:

This essay must adhere to the following guidelines:

*Eight-paragraphs ONLY + a Works Cited page (* = 2-introduction para., 4-body para.,

1-refutation para., and 1-conclusion para)

Use MLA formatting and rules of citation (Arial 12-point font ONLY; review other rules in folder

on Blackboard: MLA Formatting and Citation Rules and Guidelines)

Use a minimum of 4-cited sources from research (no information from a .com website is

allowable unless you approve it with me; quotes from Wikipedia is never acceptable)

Provide one-piece of evidence in each body paragraph, ONLY!

Evidence is

o a quote,

o paraphrased information,

o a concise (2-to-3 sentence) explanation of personal experience, only allowed in one

body paragraph

o statistics,

o historical or scientific fact,

o credible common-knowledge information from popular culture,

o etc. (If you are unsure whether or not some information or a source you want to use is

credible, discuss it with me before using it.)

Thesis statement must be underlined and placed as the last sentence of the 2

introduction

paragraph If it isn’t, I will assume you didn’t create it and 20-points will be deducted.

Essay must have an original title

No title page; use the MLA formatted required heading

Must create a Works Cited page

Grading Rubric

Thesis statement 20%

Topic sentences 10%

Critical analysis of evidence 30%

Grammar and mechanics 10%

MLA formatting 10%

In-text citation/parenthetical citation 10%

Works Cited page 10%

 

 

 

 

The Rogerian Argument

must be organized according to this outline.

  1. 1st Introductory Paragraph

Provide background information on debate

Don’t assume that the audience is as familiar with this subject and debate as the author

Provide the audience with basic, necessary information to understand this subject

No quotes allowed in this paragraph

  1. 2nd Introductory Paragraph (moves the audience towards your position in a debate)

Sets the context for your position.

No quotes allowed in this paragraph

Thesis Statement (must be the underlined last sentence of intro. Para. 2): States the position

being argued.

III. Four Body Paragraphs w/one piece of evidence in each

Topic sentence

Sub-topic sentence

Evidence = quote/example/statistic/historical fact/personal experience, etc.

(Evidence supports the position being argued. Without it, you do not have an argument but

just your opinion, which is unacceptable.)

Critical Analysis = the explanation of “how” and/or “why” this evidence supports your position

Transition sentence to next paragraph

  1. Refutation Paragraph – Objections to your position

Mentions positions opposed to the one being argued.

Provide at least 3-reasons against your position.

Create two-concise sentences for each reason, and do not counter-argue these reasons.

No quotes allowed in this paragraph

Refutation must be presented in a separate paragraph, just before the conclusion paragraph or

immediately after the 2

nd

introduction paragraph

  1. Conclusion Paragraph

 

Do not start this paragraph with the phrase “In conclusion”

It must bring the essay to an end that flows logically and gracefully from the rest of the essay.

No quotes allowed in this paragraph

Now, you can provide your opinion using first person (“I think; I believe; I know; etc.).

 

  • This is the only place in this essay where you are allowed to use first person.

 

Sidney Chavez

Professor Bush

English 1302-71428

September 14, 2015

Essay 1- Paper Proposal

  1. Thesis Statement: The American Dream is dead because people that are currently coming to this country are not successful.
  2. Reasons for my position
  • Immigrants that come to the United States more than likely don’t have their documentation papers to be able to get a job or driver’s license it’s a lot harder to make a living in order to live the American Dream.
  • Education is not recognized coming from another country in that case they have to start all over to get their college degrees.
  • Immigrants that come too this country can’t always stay in the US legally they have to return to their Native country before realizing their American Dream.
  • Without a family connection or friends in the US it’s hard to get established.

 


 

·         USE THIS CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU SUBMIT ESSAY 1

Use this list to check-off the following items before you submit Essay 1 – Rogerian Argument:

  • Did I correctly format my essay?
    • header
    • heading
    • margins
    • font size & type (Arial 12-points ONLY)

    • title is centered
    • text is left aligned

    • paragraph indentation is one tab

    • line spacing is double throughout entire paper

    • page break at end of essay
    • Works Cited page is a separate page from the essay

        • has hanging indentation
        • sources are alphabetized
        • I did not add the URL to this document
  • Did I use the correct voice in my essay?
    • first person is only allowed in the paragraph in which you use personal experience as evidence
    • use third person–objective voice throughout the essay
    • never use second person–the indefinite “you”
    • never use ambiguous pronouns–first person plural (we, us, our, ours, us as Americans, etc.)
  • Did I edit for grammatical errors?
    • faulty syntax: confusing sentence structure; imprecise ideas

    • misspelled words
    • incorrect word choice: their vs. there
    • run-on sentences/fused sentences

    • comma splices
    • sentence fragments
  • Did I edit for mechanics errors?
    • My thesis statement is underlined and the last sentence of the 2nd-introduction paragraph

    • the refutation paragraph is immediately after the second introduction paragraph; OR, it is immediately before the conclusion paragraph

    • italicize brand name products, titles of films, books, songs, TV shows, etc.

    • add the appropriate punctuation where necessary
    • every piece of evidence in body paragraphs that needs citation is accurate

    • a quote longer than 3-lines, is set apart from the left margin 2-tab spaces

  • Did I correctly organize my body paragraphs?
    • every body paragraph has a topic sentence

    • there is ONE piece of evidence/quote in every body paragraph
    • the evidence has been explained and linked to the ideas in my thesis statement
  • All of the information in essay, excepted for quoted and paraphrased evidence, are solely my ideas–I didn’t copy/plagiarize this information from anywhere

Use this check-list accordingly.  However, you are also held accountable to the assignment directions, requirements, guidelines on the official assignment document, as well as information provided in attached lectures, emails, and meetings with me.

The final draft of this assignment is due Wednesday, September 30, by 11:59 PM.

 

Do not start this paragraph with the phrase “In conclusion”

It must bring the essay to an end that flows logically and gracefully from the rest of the essay.

No quotes allowed in this paragraph

Now, you can provide your opinion using first person (“I think; I believe; I know; etc.).

What causes poverty in your country?

What causes poverty in your country? OR News reports are often full of coverage on natural disasters, wars, terrorist strikes, sexual predators, and other fearful situations. What effect does watching such reports have on children or adults?