English Final Essay

Essay #3 – Food for Thought

What’s in this document?

1. Research topic overview

2. Thinking about/ narrowing down your topic

3. Annotated bibliography requirements

4. Outline requirements

5. Essay #3 requirements

6. Grading standards for Essay #3

Research Topic Overview:

1. For this essay, we will be doing research in addition to our class readings. On Blackboard, you will find a list of readings surrounding certain food issues that we saw in the film Food, Inc., such as the decline of small farms, the rise of GMOs, poor animal welfare in food processing, poor treatment of food industry workers, increase in fast food and processed food consumption.

2. Read at least ONE article from EACH folder to familiarize yourself with some current food issues/problems.

3. After reading about each issue, choose ONE of the issues to be the foundation of your essay in which you will define a “food problem” that you are interested in researching.

4. Submit your topic via Essay #3 Pre-writing DB – see syllabus for due date

Thinking About/ Narrowing Down Your Topic:

Recently, we watched the documentary film Food, Inc. In this documentary, the filmmakers had one overarching argument: corporatization of the food industry has led to severe problems with our nation’s food supply, resulting in problems for human health, animal welfare, workers’ rights, and the environment. Once that initial argument is made, the filmmaker then embark on explaining the specific RESULTS (sub-topics) of this problem. In the film, we learn that the results from corporatization of the food industry are: poor treatment of animals used for food, food contamination, GMOs, decline of small farms, poor working conditions for employees in the food industry, damage to the environment, and the rise of fast food and/or processed food consumption. Any of these sub-topic issues could, in and of themselves, be considered food problems.

For your research essay, you will choose one of these sub-topics as the main problem for your research paper.

When you think about your topic, think first about the issue you're addressing (i.e. GMOs, decline of small farms, food contamination, impact on the environment, or animal welfare), and then ask yourself: "what ABOUT this topic?" What is the actual "problem" with GMOs, decline of small farms, food contamination, impact on the environment, or animal welfare?

Usually something is a problem because of the causes, the effects, the lack of information, or a combination of these things. So, your job is to figure out where you want to go with your problem. For example, you want to ask yourself: Is the main "problem" the CAUSES of your topic or the EFFECTS of your topic or the LACK OF INFORMATION/EDUCATION/LABELING/AWARENESS on your topic?

Naturally, the answer is ALL of the above. But, because we have limited time and resources, we should try to focus on ONE area. The answer to the "what ABOUT this topic?" question will be your thesis.

It’s fine to gather as much information as you can in the research phase, but when you get to the paper itself, you will not have an argument (thesis) if you simply state “foodborne illness is a problem.” This is not really an argument that we can debate or even really expand upon because everyone, in general, at least conceptually understands that it’s a problem to get sick from your food. You want to focus on a specific aspect of obesity that you can argue is particularly problematic.

Here are some examples:

Not a thesis: Foodborne illness is a major problem.

Thesis: While there are many causes of foodborne illness, the most problematic issue is the poor conditions in which food companies house and process livestock.

The second example is a thesis because I can actually ARGUE with this point. I might disagree that food processing is the problem. I might think the real issue is consumers’ inability to properly clean and cook their food. I could also argue that the problem is the mass distribution of meat. Essentially, I can disagree with the point and insert a different argument to take its place. I cannot do that with the first example because it’s pretty much a statement of fact. Basically, I can’t really argue with the first example (or, maybe I could, but it would be a silly fight).

Remember, you do not have to fit your intro/thesis into one opening paragraph. You might need to have a background paragraph before you get to your specific introduction of the topic/thesis. Then, your body paragraphs should focus on your data/research. The body is where you will specify the aspects of problem itself in detail and why this is, indeed, a problem. Then, you will attempt, to the best of your ability, to offer solutions. Finally, you will conclude the essay with a conclusion that explains the relevance and importance of this topic. Please see the OUTLINE I provided in the Unit 3 folder for additional structural guidance.

Annotated Bibliography Requirements:

1. Your Annotated Bibliography must contain at least FOUR total sources. And, your sources should be VARIED: class readings, newspaper articles, articles from academic journals, articles/essays from reputable websites, or even information from reputable documentaries.

2. Your TYPES of sources must meet the following requirements:

a. You must include a MINIMUM of FOUR (4) sources in your AB. See below for rules on these required sources:

i. ONE (1) source must be a news source like a newspaper or magazine article. News sources can be located online, through Google Scholar, or through the MCCC library’s databases.

ii. ONE (1) source must be academic journal article (i.e. Journal of Healthcare Quality, Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Advanced Nursing). See library tutorial in Unit 3 folder for information on searching for journal articles using the MCCC databases and/or Google Scholar.

iii. ONE (1) source may be a non-news website, but that website must be a credible and reliable internet source. You may only use government websites, such as the CDC or WHO, or websites ending in .org or .edu. You may not use Wikipedia, WebMD, Medline, PETA or any other biased and/or “pop science/pseudoscience” websites.

iv. You may use ONE (1) source from one of the Unit 3 readings. You do not have to, but, if you do, you can only use ONE.

v. You may use ONE (1) food-related documentary in addition to Food, Inc. Examples include Supersize Me, What the Health?, or King Corn.

3. Before writing the essay, you will complete and turn in an Annotated Bibliography (directions can be found in the Essay #3 folder) that:

a. Explains what TYPE of source it is (newspaper article, book, journal article, website, documentary, encyclopedia entry)

b. Cites each source that you’ve found in MLA format

c. Summarizes the main ideas of each source (including the class readings)

d. Explains the relevance (or not) of this source to your overall topic (explain whether or not you will use that source in your essay and where it would go in the essay should you choose to use it)

4. Submit AB via Google Docs - see syllabus for due date.

Essay #3 Outline Requirements:

1. Before submitting a draft of your paper, you will submit a preliminary outline that gives an overview of the direction of your paper. Your outline will include an overview of what will be in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

2. Within each section of the paper, indicate where you will include research.

3. Make sure to include a Works Cited page at the end of the outline so that we can check your formatting and citations.

4. Look over the sample Essay #3 outline in the Essay #3 folder. This is just a suggested template, but feel free to use it if it works for you.

5. Submit outline via Google Docs - see syllabus for due date.

Essay #3 Requirements (READ CAREFULLY!!!):

1. Your essay will begin with an introduction that gives any necessary background needed to understand the problem or a quick summary of the issue, and a thesis that defines the problem and poses a potential solution for the problem.

2. The first few body paragraphs of the essay will introduce and define the problem. When you are defining a problem, you must not only address the problem itself but also the problem’s EFFECTS. Think about it: in order for something to be a problem, it has to have effects/consequences. You MUST use and cite sources to explain the problem. Use direct quotations only when absolutely necessary (if the author has said something in a way that you find particularly meaningful). Otherwise, summarize and paraphrase the sources, and make sure to cite those paraphrases in-text and in the Works Cited page. Remember, ANY use of source material – whether it’s in your own words or not – NEEDS TO BE CITED!

3. The last few body paragraphs of the essay will pose a solution. When you are posing a solution, you must not only explain the solution but must also explain the EFFECTS of the solution. Think about it: in order for someone to take a solution seriously, they have to see what the effects will/might be. You may use sources for this section if appropriate. Otherwise, this part may be your own ideas, and you should use your own logic to support your solutions.

4. The essay will end with a conclusion that summarizes the important points of your essay and leaves the reader with something to think about in terms of your selected food issue. Consider why this problem is a problem and what it says about us and our society.

5. NOTE: This essay is not a PERSONAL essay. It is an academic research paper. All personal words (I, Me, My, Mine, You, Your) are NOT ACCEPTABLE in this type of assignment. You must maintain an objective and academic tone (not personal or conversational) throughout the essay.

6. The essay will include a Works Cited page that uses proper MLA format to write the citations for all sources used in the essay. You must use and cite at least FOUR sources in your final essay. The number and type of sources is listed above in the AB section of this document.

7. The essay must be 5-6 pages in length, not including the Works Cited page.

8. This essay must be written in proper MLA format.

9. This essay must be an original work of your own and not plagiarized in any way.

10. The essay must include BOTH in-text citations and a Works Cited page. Any essay submitted without in-text citations and/or a Works Cited page will earn a failing grade.

11. Make sure to look over the Essay #3 Grading Standards found on the next page.

12. Submit essay via Google Docs - see syllabus for due date.

Grading Standards for Essay #3:

A-Range Essays:

· Follow ALL instructions as outlined on the Essay #3 instruction document, including formatting the essay in proper MLA format, meeting page length requirement, using source material and citations, and adequately addressing the essay prompt; no (0) missed instructions

· Have an introduction/thesis that clearly and effectively addresses the Essay#3 problem/solution prompt; intro contains detailed, varied (not repetitive), logical, organized, focused, and interesting sentences

· Have paragraphs that are clearly written with topic sentences that explain the TOPIC of the paragraph (DO NOT start with research; start with a POINT); no (0) paragraphs are missing topic sentences.

· Have paragraphs that contain focused sentences (addressing only one topic/issue at a time) that support the main idea of the essay; no (0) paragraphs are unfocused or off topic of the main idea

· Have paragraphs that contain well-organized sentences written with clear connections and transitions (sentence-to-sentence AND paragraph-to-paragraph); no (0) paragraphs are disorganized or lack clear connections between sentences or between paragraphs

· Have paragraphs that are well-developed with specific (not vague), relevant (to the main idea), important (no “fluff” or unnecessary words/phrases), and varied (not repetitive) research/details/quotations; no (0) paragraphs lack details/quotations

· Have paragraphs that end with concluding sentences that offer insightful analysis of the details as well as transition to the next paragraph smoothly (DO NOT end with research; analyze your evidence); no (0) paragraphs are missing concluding sentences

· Follow perfectly the introduce it + use it + cite it + explain it method of incorporating source material; no (0) dropped quotations.

· Have perfectly written in-text citations using proper MLA format; no (0) incorrect citations.

· Have perfectly written Works Cited (WC) pages written in proper MLA format; no (0) major MLA formatting errors on the WC page

· Have an thoughtful, organized, detailed, and focused conclusion that brings the essay to a rational and complete end and gives some insight into the food problem and its consequences

· Use the appropriate tone and point of view for the purpose of the paper and the intended audience, including no slang unless appropriate for the assignment, no “conversational” words/sentences unless appropriate for the assignment, and the proper point of view (third person point – no personal language)

· Have very few grammatical, mechanical, and/or spelling errors. If there are errors, they DO NOT AT ALL impede the meaning or understanding of the essay.

· Use more than the required number and type of sources

B/C-Range Essays:

· Follow most of the instructions as outlined on the Essay #3 directions document; somewhat meets proper MLA format, closely meets page length requirement (within a ½ page), and closely addresses the essay prompt; no more than one (1) missed instruction

· Have an introduction/thesis that somewhat address Essay#3 problem/solution prompt; intro is fairly organized, focused, interesting, novel, and detailed

· Have paragraphs that are fairly clearly written with topic sentences that explain the TOPIC of the paragraph; no more than two (2) paragraphs lack a topic sentence

· Have paragraphs that are fairly focused and support the thesis; no more than two (2) paragraphs lack focus and/or fail to support the thesis

· Have paragraphs that are fairly organized; no more than two (2) paragraphs lack organization, transitions, or flow between sentences and between paragraphs

· Have paragraphs that are fairly developed with specific, varied, and relevant research/details/quotations; no more than two (2) paragraphs that lack specific, varied, and relevant research/details/quotations

· Have paragraphs that end with a basic or general concluding sentence that lacks in-depth analysis of the details; concluding sentence fairly transitions to the next paragraph; no more than two (2) paragraphs lacks an analytical and connecting concluding sentence

· Sometimes/somewhat follow the introduce it + use it + cite it + explain it method of incorporating source material; no more than two (2) dropped quotations

· Have fairly written in-text citations; no more than two (2) different kinds of in-text citation errors

· Have fairly well-written Works Cited pages written in proper MLA format; no more than two (2) different kinds of errors

· Have a fairly thoughtful conclusion that may somewhat bring the essay to a rational and complete end; conclusion may lack some analysis, organization, focus, or interesting information

· Have some grammatical, mechanical, and/or spelling errors; the errors may impede some of the meaning or understanding of parts of the essay

· Meet the required number and type of sources.

D/F-Range Essays:

· Have not followed most or all of instructions as outlined on the Essay #3 instruction document; two (2) or more missed instructions

· Missing introduction, thesis, or both; or intro is confusing, lacks a main idea, or is generally poorly written (organization, focus, details)

· Have more than two (2) body paragraphs that lack topic sentences

· Have more than two (2) body paragraphs that lack focus

· Have more than two (2) body paragraphs that lack organization

· Have more than two (2) body paragraphs that lack not developed with specific, relevant, and varied research/details/quotations

· Have more than two (2) body paragraphs that lack a concluding sentence

· Have more than two (2) dropped quotations

· Fail to cite one or more sources using in-text citations within the paper (plagiarism) or lack sources altogether; more than two (2) different kinds of citation errors

· Have missing Works Cited page or completely poorly/incorrectly written Works Cited; more than two (2) different kinds of citation errors

· Are missing a conclusion altogether or is off topic or have a conclusion that is unrelated to the main idea, boring, repetitive, not at all insightful, or generally poorly written

· Have many grammatical, mechanical, and/or spelling errors; these errors impede the meaning or understanding in many parts of the essay

· Do not have the required number or type of sources

· Are plagiarized

· Are missing in-text citations and/or a Works Cited page