Here are some details of the work they are expected to do this semester in ESL 114 to realize this goal:
- 2-4 page Revision of the Diagnostic Essay
- 2-4 page Compare/Contrast OR Cause/Effect Essay
- 2-4 page Argumentative Essay
- 5-7 page Mini-Research Paper (expansion of the Argumentative Essay),
- 5-7 minute Oral Presentation of the Research Paper
ESSAY 1: Diagnostic Revision
This exercise fulfills several purposes. The first is to give the instructor a place to start the course. The instructor will assess your organization, logical flow of ideas, clarity of explanations, grammar, vocabulary and style in order to get to know the students' writing and learn how best to help them this semester. The second, but perhaps primary purpose is to give STUDENTS a starting point for evaluating and improving their own writing performance. The initial, timed draft will not be given extensive comments.
During the first few weeks of class, this class will cover a five-paragraph essay structure along with other elements of organizing writing.
Rubric for Diagnostic Essay
ESSAY 3: Argumentative Paper
Essay Topic:
Write an argument that answers this question --Is online social networking beneficial or harmful to society? Rubric for Diagnostic Essay
ESSAY 3: Argumentative Paper
Outline & Thesis: Oct 30
Rough Draft: Nov. 4
Edited Draft: Nov. 9
Final Draft: Nov. 18
ESSAY 4: Research Paper (Expanded Argumentative Paper)
Outline of additional paragraph, list of additional sources: due by conference
Draft of expansion: Nov 28
Last day to send drafts for teacher comments: Dec 2
- The third major essay in ESL114 is a source-based, argumentative paper. You will be graded on both the organization of your essay and the quality of your support. In your essay, you will be asked to support a thesis statement on a debateable topic; this essay cannot be simply descriptive.
- Your introductions should include background information that helps the reader understand your topic, a discussion why the topic is important, and clearly sets up the topic as debateable. You should also try to include a hook at the beginning of the essay that grabs the attention of the reader.
- Each body paragraph should include a topic sentence that describes an idea that is connected and unified to the thesis statement. In other words, the relationship between the body paragraphs and thesis statement should be explicitly described.
- You must included at least 2-3 supporting details for each body paragraph that a coherently connected to each other. Each paragraph should include at least one cited source used as support, and should end with a closing sentence related to the main idea. You should not use personal examples as your support for this essay.
- The opposing argument(s) must be included in the essay, either as a full paragraph or included in each paragraph (see example outlines). You should effectively problematize and rebut the opposing argument.
- Your conclusion should start with a brief summary and flow into a broader discussion of the importance of the topic in general or a discussion of the future connection. You should not include new arguments here.
- You are required to use at least four outside sources as support. Each source should be indicated with an APA style in-text citation and be included in the essay’s reference list. Quotes and paraphrases should be introduced with signal phrases and there should be no plagiarism.
- Essays should be written in a formal, academic tone with appropriate hedging. Hasty generalizations should be avoided. The formatting example provided should be followed.
