Critical Response Essay Assignment
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2020Module13InstructionsGradingRubricsReviewofwritingskillsin-textcitationCriticalResp1.pptxAgenda
-How to write the Critical Response Assignment:
the Introduction
3 body paragraphs
Conclusion
-Review In text citation & the Reference Page
-Review of Academic Writing skills
-Grading Rubrics
- important REMINDERS about:
Critical Response Assignment (20%)- due in week 14
Critical Thinking Quiz (5%)- due in week 12
(extended by a few days!)
IMPORTANT
This Critical Response essay is not research-based persuasive essay writing.
No other research is allowed or required.
There should be no in-text citation or reference other than the article given.
Copy & paste the reference citation from the bottom of the article to the end of your essay on a new page:
References
Wente, M. (2011, Mar 19). A small tumour, a giant time bomb. The Globe and Mail.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.gbcprx01.georgebrown.ca/docview/857693301 /fulltext/C24F526BBAB74C2EPQ/14?accountid=27351
All the in-text citations in your essay will be ONLY from the article:
For Paraphrase - (Wente, 2011)
For Quotations- (Wente, 2011, para. ?)
Zero marks
NO REFERENCE of the article given = 0 marks for the whole essay
NO in-text citations from the article= 0 marks for the whole essay
This essay replaces the usual exam essay so it has to be marked strictly!
IMPORTANT
This Critical Response essay is not argumentative writing.
No research is allowed or required.
WARNING : if you look for critical response type articles on the Internet and use that, you will be penalised.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO WRITE THIS ESSAY, WE HAVE DISCUSSED DURING WEEK 12 LESSON USING THEE OULTINE.
Click on the THE RECORDING LINK in week 12 to review and take notes.
Quick review of instructions
How to write the Introduction paragraph of the Critical Response The Introduction paragraph must have:
-Give the writer’s full name, the title of the article (year) and the writer’s main idea/ proposal .
This is brief. Just one or 2 sentences will do.
-The 3 problems/ flaws/ errors in the article:-your 3 areas of criticisms on the article:
problem with logic (mandatory),
problem with evidence (mandatory)
Problem with ethics/ practicality (choose 1 or mix)
This whole paragraph is brief. 3 or 4 sentences maximum.
Sample Introduction from the essay
Laura Helmuth’s article, “Why New Zealand is right to consider banning cats” (2013 ) makes a controversial proposal to eliminate domesticated cats because of their negative impact on the bird population. However, her ideas are not convincing because her claims lack evidence and logic. Moreover, her proposal is not practical.
Structure of the 3 BODY paragraphs
Follow the PEER structure ( or the marks you get for organization will be seriously affected- see Grading Rubrics)
Format of the 3 critical response BODY paragraphs
Point: Topic sentence of your point /criticism
Evidence 1(evidence/quote)& explanation of your criticism
Evidence 2(evidence/quote ) & explanation of your criticism
Evidence 3(evidence /quote ) & explanation of your criticism(3rd one is optional)
Reiteration -restate your point /criticism
Refer to the paragraphs in “SAMPLE Critical Response Assignment” in last week’s module (Module 11) and use the “OUTLINE for the Critical Response” you prepared for discussion today to keep you focused and on the right track.
Every BODY paragraph must have 2 correct APA in-text citations referring to the article
Essays with no in-text citations will be given a zero
Review in-text citation:
Paraphrase - (Wente, 2011)
Quotations- (Wente, 2011, para. ?)
This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing APA in-text citations if you do this wrong.
2 ways to cite quotes from the article
Wente (2011) claims that the free-for-all Canadian healthcare system is a “vampire that will suck your children dry” (para. 7).
Or
The writer claims that the free-for-all Canadian healthcare system is a “vampire that will suck your children dry” (Wente, 2011, para. 7).
2 ways to cite paraphrasing / summarising from the article
Wente (2011) argues that the healthcare system in Canada is flawed because too much of the young tax payers’ money goes to the healthcare of the elderly.
The writer argues that the healthcare system in Canada is flawed because too much of the young taxpayers’ money goes to the healthcare of the elderly (Wente, 2011).
signal phrases
For the Critical Response Assignment, don’t forget the signal phrases to show your disagreement with the writer:
The writer claims, argues, contends, asserts, believes, feels, justifies, insists, points out that, declares, portrays, presents etc
DO NOT USE : The writer says/ is saying
This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing academic essay writing standards/ conventions if you do this.
Conclusion paragraph
Paraphrase the writer’s thesis and your 3 areas of criticism and restate your conclusion.
Conclusion paragraph From the Sample essay
In conclusion, Helmuth’s claims that cats should be controlled in New Zealand are impractical and illogical, and her ideas are not convincing as she provides evidence that is questionable. Therefore, cats should not be outlawed in New Zealand as suggested in the article.
Suggestions for your conclusion
…..the arguments to privatise Canada’s healthcare system are unconvincing.
…. her proposal to revise Canada’s public healthcare system cannot be supported.
….her proposal to change Canada’s free-for-all healthcare system is invalid.
…her claims that the Canadian healthcare system needs to be reformed are questionable.
Essay :
Number of words: around 800 words
Use : Times New Roman, 12 font , DOUBLE SPACING
This is APA format for academic essays!
Warning: this is your final essay, if you don’t follow this instruction, MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED
At the end of the Critical Response Essay
Reference page is required!
Copy the heading & reference from the article:
References
Wente, M. (2011, Mar 19). A small tumour, a giant time bomb. The Globe and Mail.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.gbcprx01.georgebrown.ca/docview/857693301 /fulltext/C24F526BBAB74C2EPQ/14?accountid=27351
REVIEW :Important skills for good writing especially in Formal, Academic Writing
The Critical response requires not just good ideas but good writing skills – it is, after all, an assessment of FORMAL Academic writing skills.
So how to do it well?
Review
Academic essay conventions – which you learned when we did the Writing skills of the Research-based Persuasive Essay
When referring to the author/ writer
In the first paragraph you must write the author’s full name (Margaret Wente).
After that in the rest of the essay, you must ONLY refer to the author by her LAST NAME (Wente)! This is to establish a formal tone.
Do not refer to her as Margaret unless you are talking to her and she is your friend! This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing academic essay writing standards/ conventions if you do this.
Formal tone: Do not use “I”
Avoid personal references such as
“I think…”, “I believe…”, “In this essay I will…”
Instead of :
“I think this proposal is unfair because it will affect the low -income community”
Simply state:
“This proposal is unfair because it will affect the low -income community”
This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing academic essay writing standards/ conventions if you do this.
Use : signal phrases
The writer / Wente (2011):
claims that
states that
argues that
believes that
points out that
declares that
insists that
DO NOT USE : The writer says/ is saying
This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing academic essay writing standards/ conventions if you do this.
Review : signal phrases
The writer / Wente (2011):
claims that
states that
argues that
believes that
points out that
declares that
insists that
DO NOT USE : The writer says/ is saying
This is your final essay on a course on academic writing. You will be penalized for not knowing academic essay writing standards/ conventions if you do this.
Academic writing convention: always use the simple present tense
The writer argues (not argued):
Helmuth (2009) claims that cats are a “globally invasive species” (para.2) because cats eat young birds in some countries.
Wente (2011) claims that the free-for-all Canadian healthcare system is a “vampire that will suck your children dry” (para. 7).
The text is alive even if the author is dead!
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare portrays (not portrayed) the innocence of Juliet ….
Formal Tone
All academic writing is incisive; it is sharp analysis but not personal attack.
Avoid terms like “stupid”, “crazy”; instead, point out that it is “illogical”, “racist” or “biased”
Do not criticise the writer; evaluate the claims/ideas.
Ensure cohesion between paragraphs- use transitions
Cohesion is linking one paragraph to another to make a logical, smooth flow of ideas, using transition words (connectives ).
For eg: Furthermore, also, In addition, Moreover
Use transitions with the P (the Point at the beginning of each paragraph)
a) Firstly, X’s idea to ____________cannot be implemented as her claims lack evidence.
b)First of all, although X makes some good points about ___________________, her argument suffers from evidentiary problems .
c)Moreover, X’s proposal to ____________cannot be implemented because her claims have serious logical flaws.
d)In addition, while X has raised some important points about ______________, her claims have too many evidentiary issues.
e)Furthermore, X’s concerns are praiseworthy but her proposal on how to deal with ______________ is largely impractical.
f)Lastly, X’s proposal to_________cannot be justified because it will leave out low income people.
g)Finally, X’s proposal to ___________will run into ethical problems.
Which of the above belong to paragraph 1?
Which of the above belong to paragraph 2?
Which of the above belong to paragraph 3?
How can you tell?
NOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF transitions! (Firstly, Moreover, In addition, Lastly, Finally)
Ensure Cohesion within a paragraph- use transitions
Cohesion is also linking ideas within a paragraph using transition words (connectives).
Since every paragraph of criticism requires you to give 2 or 3 examples/ evidence from the article, you should link them with connectives:
Firstly, secondly, finally, moreover, furthermore, also, In addition, thus, for example, the fact is, in fact, indeed etc
Refer to the Sample Critical Response Assignment
Circle all the transitions used at the beginning of each paragraph.
Circle all the transitions used within each paragraph.
Don’t forget the Punctuation:
There is a comma after:
Furthermore, she ....
In addition, the writer....
The fact is, there is...
Seek help for grammar / citation / organisation :
The preparation for this assignment was spread out over 3 weeks for planning your outline, writing a draft and now editing /revising and seeking help! There is no excuse for rushed work.
Final reminder : Self-help with grammar – Download into computer free basic version of “GRAMMARLY” programme in Google Chrome. You were told about this in week 1 and many times since then.
Final reminder : Make appointment – this week to see a tutor online from the Tutoring and Learning Centre to help you with editing / citing/ organising your assignment. You paid for this service –its part of your fees!
Note the requirements & purpose of the writing/ assignment
Even if you strongly DISAGREE with the writer, you must NOT launch into your own counter-arguments against the writer’s arguments.
Even if you AGREE with the writer, you must critically evaluate using the types of criticism taught in this course.
This essay is not argumentative writing.
(No research is allowed or required).
You are required to ONLY critically evaluate the validity of the arguments using 3 of the 4 techniques of critical thinking taught. Look at the Instructions and Grading Rubrics- Work smart ! Play by the rules of THIS game!
A note about plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offence.
Students who copy from the Internet or submit another person’s work as your own, will receive a zero.
In addition to the zero, a note about the act of plagiarism will be entered into the GBC system.
Questions?
Critical Response Assignment due in week 14 on the day of your lesson by 11.59pm
Write the Critical response Essay based on the discussion in class.
Make sure you use the PEER format to organise your Body paragraphs.
Check that you used the academic language / tone/ skills we learned in class.
No extensions
Critical Response Assignment due in week 14 on the day of your lesson by 11.59pm
No extensions can be given – tight timeline to finish marking and 5 classes of essays (120 ) to mark.
If you have a medical reason or serious personal reason please email me. A medical letter will be required for an extension.
Thank you and good luck!
Let’s take a quick look at the Grading Rubrics before we say goodbye!
