question

 Essay Assignment: Your definition essay will be based on the following prompt: “What makes a good controversy?” What is another perspective to understanding a good controversy? And, so what? What counts as a “good” controversy? Why is it important to be aware of this definition? The purpose of this assignment is to articulate and develop an argument that defines what constitutes a good controversy based on your understanding, analysis, and conception of the term. While you will draw from the readings, keep in mind that you are not limited to the readings in making your argument.

Word count: 400+ words

Complete after participating in the peer review session with classmates

Submit via Canvas Assignments

 

Draft of Major Assignment #2 - Research Narrative & Annotated Bibliography

 

Using complete sentences, respond to the following questions based on your participation during the peer review/workshop session:

·         Indicate name(s) of student whose draft you reviewed.

·         Include title of student’s essay.

 

Research Narrative portion (200+ words)

·         Summarize the main idea of the essay draft briefly in your own words.

·         Does the opening establish a clear starting point for the paper (a thesis, or at least a focused topic)? Would some other part of the draft make a better introduction?

·         Does the paper conclude with a whimper or a shout? Is the conclusion merely repetitive, or does it synthesize ideas, suggest new directions of thought, re-evaluate the introductory statements?

·         Are there paragraphs that seem less coherent or less convincing than others? If so, choose one and explain how it might be clarified and/or better supported.

·         Note (don’t correct) problems with sentence structure, grammar, word choice, and other mechanical issues.

·         Select the best phrases, paragraphs, and/or ideas in the paper. Can they be elaborated on more thoroughly? How?

 

Annotated Bibliography portion (200+ words)

·         Are the source entries in MLA format? (Y/N, for this question)

·         For each source entry, does the annotation include BOTH a brief description of the main argument of the source and a concise evaluation of the resource as it pertains to the topic? 

·         Do you understand the annotation? Putting someone else’s argument into your own words can be a challenge–has the writer clearly paraphrased the argument? Is there anything that confuses you? (If necessary, annotations can include brief quotes–no more than one line of text).

·         Overall, is the bibliography cohesive? Do each of the sources work together as a body of research that helps answer the research question, or do the sources seems scattered and disconnected? Are there any sources that the writer should reconsider?

·         Note (don’t correct) problems with sentence structure, grammar, word choice, and other mechanical issues.