Essay #2

Option #1: Examine a policy with which you completely disagree. You will need to explain the reasons that the policy is in place, including the assumptions made by those who agree the policy should stay as is. You will need to explain the reasons that these ideas are invalid either because they are inaccurate, logically inconsistent, irrelevant, or out of date. In other words, you are for changing or discarding the policy. As a result, you will need to propose an alternative.

Option #2: Examine a policy that is either in the works (currently proposed but not yet passed) or under review (passed but contested). You will need to explain the reasons that the policy is on hold or under review, including assumptions made by those who agree the policy should change. You will need to explain the reasons that these ideas are invalid either because they are inaccurate, logically inconsistent, irrelevant, or out of touch with current circumstances/events. In other words, you are for the policy and are responsible for finding a common ground if needed.

Audience: Your audience is composed of the other students in your class. Keep in mind that your classmates may have perspectives that are very different from your own. Try to provide adequate explanation and support so that they can understand your perspective.

Goals:

· Demonstrate understanding and analysis of policy position

· Demonstrate understanding and application of objective reasoning to personal position

· Demonstrate objective analysis of opposing views

· Understand and apply requirements of assignment, including use of MLA or APA format

· Apply MLA or APA guidelines in in-text citation and documentation

· Apply rules of standard English

Requirements:

Length – 5-7 pages

Sources – 5-6 approved academic sources

Format – MLA or APA

Due dates – announced in class

Organization:

I. In your introduction, discuss the current policy, its history, and reasons it was established.

II. In the second part of your paper, explain the invalidity of the reasons presented by your opposition. This is a refutation section. You must support your statements with objective evidence from your sources. Be sure to use in-text citation any time you use words or ideas from any of your sources.

III. In the third part of your paper, explain the validity of the reasons presented by you and other proponents. You must support your statements with objective evidence from your sources. Be sure to use in-text citation any time you use words or ideas from any of your sources.

IV. In your conclusion, re-state your position. This is your last opportunity to convince readers that the policy needs change.

Grading Rubric:

Documentation (35%) The student has

1. Chosen appropriate source incorporations from 5-6 sources (excluding dictionaries or encyclopedias)

2. Illustrated the effective use of parenthetical references

3. Illustrated the effective integration of quotations

4. Illustrated the effective use of summary / paraphrase skills

5. Applied MLA or APA style concepts in a Works Cited or References page

Content and Organization (40%) The student has

6. Demonstrate understanding and analysis of position. The writer will demonstrate understanding & analysis of selected position or cause in the introduction. The thesis statement will reflect the writer’s goal in a clear & coherent manner.

7. Demonstrate objective analysis of opposing views. The writer will present & analyze opposing views in a clear and objective manner.

8. Demonstrate understanding and application of objective reasoning to personal position. The writer will justify her/his position with objective evidence from approved academic sources. The writer will demonstrate understanding of objective reasoning in commentary.

9. Organized sufficient detail in a coherent manner providing the audience with effective transitions

10. Synthesized source information to demonstrate an understanding of the selected topic

11. Applied effective strategies for argumentative summation without introducing new material in the conclusion

Style and Mechanics (25%) The student has

12. Applied college-level word choices (diction)

13. Applied standard sentence structure using clear, concise Standard English, avoiding comma spliced or run-on sentences and sentence fragments

14. Recalled basic grammar rules, especially in verb forms

15. Applied standard rules for punctuation

16. Applied standard rules for capitalization, spelling, typing