ESSAY HOMEWORK 1

Essay 1 Assignment Instructions

(See below for Essay 1 Reflection Instructions)

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” ― Socrates

Some people believe that students are predisposed to achieve academically, but what is it that

enables them to be successful? What ultimately determines one’s success in academic

endeavors? Is it solely intelligence? Or are there other factors at play? Angela Duckworth’s

TED Talk, Carol Dweck’s article on mindset, and the “old” and the “new” Marshmallow Tests

all present ideas about what contributes to academic success. In a well-written essay, propose to

an educated audience the three most important factors in a student’s success in college.

Instructions: For this paper, you must use one of the thesis structures below:

• The three most important factors that contribute to a student’s success in college are ____________, _____________, and _____________.

• ______________, _______________, and ______________ are the three most important factors that contribute to a student’s success in college.

Regardless of whether you choose statement one or two, your choice will become your thesis.

Organize your paper as follows:

I. Introduction/Thesis

(See content notes about the “funnel-shaped” thesis.) Your thesis, as constructed above, will be

the last sentence of this paragraph.

II. Main Body Paragraph 1: Factor 1 + support

Your first factor should be identified at the beginning of this paragraph, and then use YOUR

ideas supported by a paraphrase or quote by at least one but no more than two of the

videos/readings. Be sure to connect ideas and details to your thesis.

III. Main Body paragraph 2: Factor 2 + support

Your second factor should be identified at the beginning of this paragraph, and then use YOUR

ideas supported by a paraphrase or quote by at least one but no more than two of the

videos/readings. Be sure to connect ideas and details to your thesis.

IV. Main Body Paragraph 3: Factor 3 + support

Your third factor should be identified at the beginning of this paragraph, and then use YOUR

ideas supported by a paraphrase or quote by at least one but no more than two of the

videos/readings. Be sure to connect ideas and details to your thesis.

V. Conclusion (Be sure to summarize your points and then address the “so what?” question. DO NOT simply reword your thesis!)

Please note: I am asking for your opinion, but please do not use “I think” or “I believe” (or

similar language) anywhere in the paper.

Grading Criteria:

You will be graded on your ability to include the guidelines below and use them to create a well-

written, college-level essay. Please see “Explanation of Essay Grading” below for details. The

essay is worth 135 points and the reflection is worth 15 points for a total of 150 total points

for the assignment.

Basic Requirements:

• 3-4 pages (or approximately 600-700 words) in length

• MLA style format overall (including 1” margins, double spacing, and 12pt. font size)

• 1st and 2nd person POV are NOT allowed.

• No contractions (didn’t, can’t, etc.)

• Tone should be suitable for a college-educated audience.

• You must include an MLA works cited page. Failure to do so will result in an automatic failing grade.

• A relative freedom from errors in grammar, mechanics, and spelling

• A Reflection MUST be submitted with your essay.

Explanation of essay grading in this course:

Essays which are completed and turned in on time are assumed to have earned a grade of ‘C’. If

an essay, by its merits (depth, clarity, organization, thoroughness etc.), exceeds the minimal

requirements of the assignment, it will rise above ‘C’ level to either a ‘B’ or an ‘A’ accordingly.

If the essay is lacking in any way, it will fall below ‘C’ level to a ‘D’ or even to an ‘F’.

I realize that many students believe that they submit “perfect” papers from which instructors

“deduct” points. However, it is important that you realize that your grade reflects both the

attention you have paid to the rubric and standards for the essay as well as the content and

complexity of your thought.

Strategies to consider when writing this essay:

The following approach might be helpful for you when you write this assignment:

1. Read each article or watch each video, noting key points and main ideas through annotation or

notes.

2. Summarize in your own words what the single main idea or ideas of the articles/videos. This

will aid in thesis construction and in presenting these ideas to your audience.

3. Paraphrase three to five (or more) important supporting points for the main idea that come up

in the articles/videos.

4. Underline any words, phrases, or brief passages you believe should be quoted directly because

the particular way they are worded contributes to the meaning.

5. Construct a “working” introduction with the thesis at the end. If you are not “inspired” to

come up with something you love or even just something adequate, move on to writing some

other part of your essay. There is no law that says the introduction must be completed first.

6. Write topic sentences for the body paragraphs that relate to the thesis and incorporate the

important supporting points.

7. Develop the content of each body paragraph by adding paraphrases and/or direct quotes. Be

sure that you utilize a lead-in for direct quotes and be sure that each quote is explained and not

just “dropped in.” (I call these quotes “orphans” since they seem to be all alone—without lead

in or explanation.)

8. Write a final draft, editing for smooth transitions as well as sentence level and grammatical

correctness.

9. Remember not to “over-quote”—meaning that your entire submission is just direct quote after

direct quote. Be selective and choose direct quotes that you feel best suit the essay and are

unique to the author.

Incorporating Source Material into your essay:

Here are some hypothetical examples from a random article that exemplify the format you should use to

create for the articles you’ve been assigned:

Zinsser asserts that, “a boy or girl who leaves college is branded a failure---and the right to fail is one of

the few freedoms that this country does not grant its citizens” (601).

Notes: Here, the writer gives a signal phrase or “lead-in” to the direct quote and smoothly integrates

it into the sentence. The page number is listed in the parentheses and the period occurs outside it.

Electronic or video sources will NOT have page numbers, so it is crucial to name the author.

Another way to present a direct quote is to introduce it with a full signal sentence followed by a

colon.

Zinsser is one of the few scholars who believe that failure is not a derogatory concept: “A boy or girl who

leaves college is branded a failure---and the right to fail is one of the few freedoms that this country does

not grant its citizens” (601).

Note: Here the direct quote is introduced by a full signal sentence, followed by a colon.

Here’s an example of a paraphrase:

Zinsser counters the belief that students who drop out of college are deemed unsuccessful. He asserts that

being able to fail should be an option given by our country (600).

Note: Here, the writer captures the main idea of the quote but puts it in his/her own words. A valid

paraphrase needs to not veer from the central idea and the language used should not mirror the

original. Although not directly quoted, paraphrases still need to be documented/credited to the

original author as it is his/her own ideas.

Essay 1 Reflection

This portion of the assignment should be on a separate sheet and included at the end of

your essay labeled with the title “Essay 1 Reflection.”

Instructions: In one or two paragraphs (double spaced, in an appropriate font and font size),

respond to the following:

• Describe your process for completing this assignment. What was easy for you? What was

difficult? Describe any obstacles you encountered and how you approached and

overcame them.

• What do you think is the strongest part of your essay? What do you think is the weakest

part?

• Did you take any risks in either your approach to this assignment? If so, what were they?

If not, why not?

• What is one thing you need to work on for the next assignment? Is there anything you

will do differently for the next assignment? What/How?

• Feel free to add any other insights you gained in the writing of this essay. These could be

about your process, the content that you read, or the assignment itself.