Reflective paper
English 102 Reflective Definition Argument Assignment Sheet—Final Project
General description. Stephen Wilhoit’s A Brief Guide to Writing Academic Arguments states, “Definition plays a central role in academic arguments. First, those involved in an academic argument must share common definitions of the terms and ideas under dispute or they will be talking at cross-purposes. In fact, sometimes how to define a term or idea is the argument. Still other times writers may argue that redefining a term or idea can help bring about needed change. As a first step in bringing about that change, they argue, key terms or ideas must be reconsidered and redefined. In a definition argument, you present your best case concerning the meaning of a particular word or idea.”
In other words, definition arguments establish a clear understanding of some key concept , which makes sure that everyone involved with the concept starts off on the same page. In other cases, definition arguments classify concepts we have previously encountered, suggesting that these concepts should now be understood in a new context.
In the case of our final semester project, you will be defining something personal . Because you will soon move on to a new class or work situation in which you will need to apply your current knowledge, our final project will require you to reflect on your work this semester and what you have learned about researched writing, about your work ethic, and about yourself. Our final project will be an essay in which you reflect on your positive and negative experiences as a freshman writer of research papers, concentrating on how you meet (or fail to meet) a definition of “a good college-level research writer.” As you do so, keep in mind the various lessons and techniques that we have used throughout the semester; any or all of them may come in handy.
To write this paper successfully, you must first establish a definition of “good college-level research writer.” You’ll need to come up with a few qualities that any such writer should have. Then you will need to discuss how well you meet those standards, citing as your evidence specific examples of what you did—or did not do—this semester as you attempted to complete our assignments . You will therefore need to list your various experiences, decide which ones best indicate your performance, determine which category of your definition those experiences would match, and explain HOW those experiences meet (or not) the standards you have set in your definition.
You will obviously not be able to discuss and narrate every event and assignment response. Make sure that the examples you select are specific enough to illustrate a point and that they truly fit one of your criteria for “a good college-level research writer.” You will also need to determine that your examples are honest and demonstrate self-awareness.
Purpose . Your main purpose is to define the broad category “good college-level research writer” and show how you do, or do not, fit the definition you establish. Your secondary purpose is to keep your audience interested.
Audience . For this paper only, I am your audience. You are writing to show me that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses as a research writer. Again, choose definition criteria that show you are aware of how we have defined a good research writer, and choose examples from your semester that truly represent your progress as a writer. Demonstrating your honesty and self-awareness is part of your ethos.
Stance, Organization, and Content . Your paper’s introductory section should begin with a strong hook and then generally lead in to your specific thesis. You might, for instance, discuss your preconceptions for how “good research writer” is defined and how this class has confirmed, challenged, or debunked your assumptions. This discussion should lead to a thesis. You should clearly and overtly state your claim; don’t simply imply it. Name the standards that any good research writer should meet, and tell us the extent to which you have met them.
In the body sections, you will organize your paper according to the outline I will provide you. First, you will explain and defend your definition; name your characteristics of a good research writer and explain thoroughly what your characteristics mean and why they are important. Then apply that definition to yourself, using specific examples from your experience to show how you do (or don’t) fit the characteristics you’ve established.
Research requirements. This paper is not a research project. All your ideas and evidence should come from your own experience this semester. But if, for some reason, you choose to use research of any kind, remember that EVERY USE OF SOURCE MATERIAL—SUMMARIES, PARAPHRASES, AND DIRECT QUOTES—MUST BE CORRECTLY CITED IN MLA FORMAT AND MUST FOLLOW MLA GUIDELINES FOR INCORPORATING SOURCES INTO A PAPER. THESE RULES APPLY TO ANY OUTSIDE SOURCE, INCLUDING WEB SOURCES, FIELD RESEARCH, AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS.
Media/Design . This paper should be 1,500 to 1,700 words long, not counting headings, title, and works cited page. Your paper should have 1” margins all around. It should be double-spaced and left-justified. Use Times New Roman 12-point font. Do not write less than 1,500 words, and do not write more than 1,700. Adhering to length requirements is covered on your grading rubric. The rest of your formatting guidelines can be found on your “Format and Writing Process for Major Papers” handout. Part of your grade depends on how well you follow these guidelines, so make sure you carefully read that handout.
The Writing Process . A description of our writing process can be found on your “Format and Writing Process for the Reflective Definition Paper” handout. Look to this handout for a description of how we will write this paper and how we will turn it in.
Evaluation . I will evaluate this paper based on how well it meets the guidelines described on this assignment sheet, in class, and in our grading rubric. Once the finals have been turned in, I will grade your papers and post grades as soon as I possibly can. Please do not write or call the office and ask if I have your grade. I will not give out grades over the phone or through email, and your queries will only slow me down. I will answer your questions up through the last day of class; feel free to seek feedback on your choices and your working organizational plan.
This paper is due through Canvas NO LATER THAN 5 pm on May 6th.