Lesson 5: Defining and Analyzing

Lesson 5: Defining and Analyzing
Examination Number: 050416

Preparation for Examination 5
Defining and Analyzing
1. Review Chapter 14, “Definition: Explanation What You Mean” (pages 463-503).
2. Review the tips for integrating cause and effect into an essay (pages 520-522).
3. Review “Integrating Information from Sources” (pages 716-733).
Examination

Whichever method you use in submitting your exam answers to the school, you must use the number above.
Objective
Write an extended definition essay of 700-1,000 words that incorporates cause and effect.
Topic
The topic is failure.
You're competing this exam because, you earned a failing grade in your first attempt at English Composition. In this case, failure refers to you not meeting a particular set of criteria. Other types of failure may include not paying a bill on time or missing out on an opportunity.
Based on your experiences, define failure in your own words. Using a dictionary and information found at http:/ / www.etymonline.coom/, include references to the root and etymology of the word “failure.” Also provide a brief analysis of the causes and effects of failure in various areas of your life, including not earning a passing grade at your first attempt in this required course.
Patterns of Development
Use definition and causal analysis.
Purpose
The purpose is to inform readers about your definition of failure, as well as its primary cause and effects.
Audience
Your audience is fellow Penn Foster College students who are currently taking English Composition for the first time.
Process
1. Work from “Discovering Causes and Effect” through “Identifying Primary Causes and Effects,” (pages 524-527).
2. Turn to page 478 and work from “Generating Ideas” up to “Developing Your Thesis,” applying suggestions 2, 4, 5 and 6 from page 480. For steps 4, use only your own dictionary and http:/ /www.etymonline.com/. Continue with “Developing Your Thesis: on page 480 and narrow your focus properly for the assigned length. Then work through the rest of the “Guided Writing Assignment” to the middle of page 488.
3. To support your definition, incorporate information from your own dictionary and the given Web site using MLA attributions. You must causal analysis but may also use strategies from any other patterns of development as appropriate.
4. As part of the revising and editing analysis, make any necessary changes to your work to meet the assigned requirements, including the essay evaluation information. See the Appendix.
5. Provide a Works Cited page at the end of your assignment for your two sources. See page 725 for how you should cite your dictionary. Use the following example when listing the Web site. Citations aren't include in the required word count.
Harper, Douglas. “Failure.” Nov. 2001. Online Etymology Dictionary. 20 Dec. 2008. http:/ /www,etymonline.com/index.php?search=failure&searchmode=none.
6. Submit the final draft essay with the word cited page to the school by mail or by electronic submission in the required format. See Course Procedures.
Notice: Begin working on your next exam but don't submit the final draft until you receive the evaluation for this essay. Remember your goal is to improve as a writer over the course of each assignment.