Essay 2 -- Text Analysis
- 1. ENG 101 – Bolton Essay Assignment 2: Text Analysis Important Dates and Requirements Pre-Writing Due: Thursday, October 4 (at class time) Outline Due: Tuesday, October 9 (at class time) Draft Due: Thursday, October 11 (at class time) Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: Friday, October 12 (by 11:59 p.m.) Peer Review Must be Completed By: Monday, October 15 (by 11:59 p.m.) Self-Editing Worksheet (and Draft) Due: Tuesday, October 16 (at class time) Proofreading Worksheet (and Draft) Due: Thursday, October 18 (with final copy of essay) Annotated Copies of Sources Due: Thursday, October 18 (with final copy of essay) Paper Due to Instructor: Thursday, October 18 (by 5:00 p.m.) Length: 900-1300 words* Outside Sources Required: Two—the text you are analyzing and one additional source from the library databases* Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn * Essays that are too short, too long, or don’t meet the source requirements (see “Research Component” below for information on the additional source) will receive half credit. Note: You will also be required to turn in additional work that you complete as part of the writing process—see next page for details. Your second essay assignment will be a text analysis. Please follow these guidelines when constructing your essay, and refer to the appropriate chapters in your textbook(s) for additional suggestions and guidelines: • Choose ONE of the following texts to analyze/respond to (some are in your Norton Field Guide and some are on D2L (under “Content” – “Writing a Text Analysis” – “Additional Essay Options”); – any essay written on a text that is not on this list will receive a zero): o “What’s the Matter with Kids Today?” – Amy Goldwasser (NFG, pgs. 666-669) o “Whodunit – The Media?” – Maggie Cutler (NFG, pgs. 684-690) o “Some Like It Hot” – Lawrence Lessing (NFG, pgs. 88-92) o “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted” – Malcolm Gladwell (D2L, pgs. 312-328) o “Reforming Egypt in 140 Characters?” – Dennis Baron (D2L, pgs. 329-334) o “2b or Not 2b?” – David Crystal (D2L, pgs. 335-346) • Include an interesting, engaging title for your essay • In your introduction, include an appropriate summary of the text for your readers and identify the text’s main argument • Respond to the text’s argument (this will be your thesis statement) • Quote (cite) from the text at least once in your essay (if you don’t, essay will receive half credit) • Offer reasons for your response—the body of your essay should refer back to the essay and offer your own ideas on the essay’s argument (sample essay available on D2L) • Follow MLA Format (which means you will have a Works Cited page that includes the correct entry for the text as well as an entry for your additional source!) o Hint: #7 on pg. 443 of your Norton Field Guide will help you cite the essay itself! • Proofread carefully for grammatical, technical, and mechanical errors
- 2. Research Component: • Find at least one article that has to do with the issue being discussed o Article MUST come from Academic Search Premier OR SIRS Issue Researcher—these are databases available on the HGTC library page and on your LibGuide o You must cite from article (directly quote) at least once in your essay (in proper MLA format) o Article (and quote in essay) needs to be relevant and appropriate for the discussion—this is practice for your research paper, so take your time and get to know the databases well! Additional Assignments Required: Due dates for these assignments are listed above and on the course syllabus. Remember, they are due in class on the date listed and are accepted via hard (printed) copy only; the only exception is if you are absent, and you then have 24 hours to turn it in or turn it in with the final copy of your essay for half credit. For each item not submitted on the due date (or completed as requested), your essay grade will be penalized up to 20 points. Pre-writing: On D2L, there is a “Pre-writing Worksheet” for this (Essay 2) assignment. Print and complete this worksheet, answering all questions. (You may handwrite your answers.) Outline: On D2L, there is an “Outline: Worksheet” for this (Essay 2) assignment. Print and complete this worksheet, answering all questions. (You may handwrite your answers.) Draft (first/plain): Submit a draft of your essay that meets all length and source requirements for the essay assignment (including in-text citations!). This draft must be typed (and printed) and submitted to the instructor via hard copy (not electronically). Though it must meet the length/source requirements, it certainly doesn’t have to be completely “polished” as it is just a draft. PeerMark: Peer Review will be completed through Turnitin.com. You must submit a draft that meets all requirements for the essay and offer thorough and helpful feedback to the two essays assigned to you. Self-Editing Worksheet (with Draft): On D2L, there is a “Self-Editing Worksheet” for this (Essay 2) assignment. You will need to print a draft of your essay (you can use the same one turned into the instructor) and complete all steps on the worksheet—you’ll need to mark on the draft (as required by the worksheet) as well. Proofreading Worksheet (with Draft): On D2L, there is a “Proofreading Worksheet” for this (Essay 2) assignment. You will need to print a new/clean draft of your essay (that has hopefully been revised and is essentially your final draft) and complete all steps on the worksheet—you’ll need to mark on the draft (as required by the worksheet) as well. Annotated Copies of Sources: We discussed and practiced annotating in class, and there is a description (and example) of it in your textbook as well. You need to annotate both the text you are analyzing as well as the additional source (from the library database) you are using. For the text, you can copy it from your textbook or find the full text online; as long as it’s the same article, the page numbers and format do not have to match (but make sure you cite from the textbook version in your actual essay!) The article can simply be printed from the database. In terms of annotating, there is no “length requirement” or “required number of annotations” as long as it’s evident that you have carefully considered the text and your response(s) to it.
- 3. Student Name: _________________________ Essay 2: Text Analysis (150 points) Scale: 15 = perfect/excellent, 12 = good, 9 = fair, 0 = poor or missing 15 12 9 0 Introduction effectively and objectively summarizes text, states text’s argument, and provides necessary background information Thesis statement is clear and well-developed, states a logical response to the text’s claim, and is the last sentence of the introduction Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that outlines that paragraph and connects to the thesis Body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and well-developed; reasons for agreeing/disagreeing are clearly stated and logical In-text citations are formatted correctly, properly framed (introduced and discussed), and effective in supporting thesis Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and adequately summarizes essay Transitions effectively enhance essay’s “flow” by guiding reader Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct and appropriate Note: You should avoid second-person (“you”)!! Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use of Standard Edited American English MLA Format is followed throughout essay (including Works Cited page) * Please consult your essay for details; if you do not understand a comment I made, please don’t hesitate to come see me during office hours to discuss your essay. Checklist: Subtotal: _____ All of the following items are due along with the hard copy of your essay (NO later); put everything in your folder. For each of these Checklist: - _____ items missing, your essay will be penalized up to 20 points. □ copy of this assignment sheet and rubric—all 3 pages (print Grade: _____/150 and turn in) □ copy of text analyzed (copy or find online) that has been thoroughly annotated □ all items turned in as part of process (listed on first page of this assignment sheet, details on second page) – if not turned back in with final copy, credit may not be given! □ copy of article about issue that has been annotated □ PeerMark (complete in Turnitin—nothing to turn in physically) Don’t forget that you also have to submit your final copy to Turnitin.com as well!