English

EGL-1010/Snodgrass/F2020 DUE: See table of due dates

PAPER 3

Length: 500-550 Words (1.5-2 pages)

Format: Double-spaced

Value: Up to 100 possible points

Begin Here: Take a moment to reflect on everything that is happening in the United States right now. According to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, “80% [of voters] feel that the country is spiraling out of control (Bender). In a five-paragraph essay, agree or disagree with that statement. I am asking for your opinion. You essentially have three options: Agree with the statement, disagree with the statement, or concede that the statement is somewhat accurate.

How to focus your paper: After you have reached a decision as to how true the articulated statement is, find one aspect of the country that is, is not, or is somewhat out of control. For example, you might argue that we have officially entered a recession, or that 21 million people are unemployed, or that the Coronavirus has killed over 100,000 people in the United States to date. You do not need to choose a topic from these three; they are only examples. You may choose your own topic. Obviously, you could not easily discuss three topics in one five-paragraph paper, so be especially focused when you formulate a thesis statement, focusing on one topic instead. For example, you might just focus on the fact that we are in a recession and write your paper about that.

The Thesis: You will need a thesis. Write your thesis first, before starting the paper. It should have two main parts: first, it should agree, disagree, or somewhat agree with the prompt; second, the thesis should offer three reasons why that is so.

Here is a sample thesis:

The United States as a country is out of control because people are sick from COVID-19, dying from COVID-19, and there is not enough testing for the virus.

Here is how you would organize the five-paragraph paper:

I. Introduction/Thesis (It should be the last sentence of the introduction)

II. Main Body Paragraph 1/People are sick from COVID-19

III. Main Body Paragraph 2/People are dying from COVID-19

IV. Main Body Paragraph 3/There is not enough testing for the virus

V. Conclusion/Restate Thesis (It should be the first sentence of the conclusion)

Each main body paragraph (1-3) would deal specifically with one of the three main points in the thesis statement and only that point.

You may use research if you wish, but it is not required. You may simply assert your opinion. If you use research, please use MLA documentation style. To access information on MLA style or the research process, do one or both of the following:

(1.) Blackboard>Library Resources>English 1010-Composition I>Research Tutorial

(2.) Blackboard>Course Content>Textbook>Successful College Composition>Chapter/section 4.8

And while I am asking for your opinion in this paper, please do not use the first-person pronoun “I,” as in, “I think that COVID-19 is making far too many people sick.” If you must write “I think” to get the paper on a screen or paper, that is fine, but go back and delete/cross out the phrase when you polish the paper for submission (COVID-19 is making far too many people sick.).

Grading Criteria: I will grade your paper based on the following elements:

(1.) The presence of a controlling, focused, three-point thesis

(2.) How well you follow directions

(3.) The overall organization of your paper

(4.) The strength of your argument

(5.) The avoidance of the use of the first-person pronoun “I”

(6.) A relative freedom from errors in grammar, mechanics, and spelling

WORK CITED

Bender, Michael C. “Nation Deeply Worried, Poll Finds.” The Wall Street Journal. 8 June

2020. Print.