English English Comp Assignments
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Expectations.pdf
Assignment 1 – Rhetorical Analysis
Expectations As a foundational assignment, the rhetorical analysis will help you to:
• Identify and analyze the rhetorical elements of a piece of communication
• Assess the effectiveness of a speaker’s choices, in relation to the rhetorical situation
• Build a foundation for future argument writing based on the skills and strategies identified
and analyzed in this assignment
Requirements Length: There is a 1000 word-minimum. All elements noted below are to be included in the
analysis. See Assignment Organization.
Organization: Check out the table below for more information about the required content and
conditions of each component:
Component Content Conditions
Introduction(Description)
The intro is your first chance to
reach your reader, engage their
interest, and include all of the
forecasting for the rest of the
essay, such as the purpose of
the writing project, and the
parameters of your
investigation. Be sure to focus
on what the speaker is doing,
how, and why, using the
conditions as your guide.
Make sure that you clearly state
the speaker and the title of the
speech, along with any other
details that will help provide the
reader with context about your
analysis.
Place the speech in a broader
context.
Introduce the speech by
characterizing the speaker and
the occasion.
Identify the audience and
situation for which the speech is
intended.
Describe the speaker’s purpose.
THESIS/CLAIM: Identify the
rhetorical strategies that you
have decided to discuss and
indicate, in general terms, how
they function to promote the
author's purpose in relation to
the intended audience.
Body (Analysis)
The body will include
paragraphs that will have their
own topic sentences developed
with specifics from the speech.
You may want to focus each
paragraph on one rhetorical
strategy, or you may focuson
different parts of one strategy.
Defining the rhetorical
strategy(ies).
Quoting or paraphrasing
examples to illustrate the
writer's use of the strategy (two
or three examples generally
suffice).
Useful strategies for developing
paragraphs include:
Explaining how the example
illustrates the strategy and how
the strategy contributes to the
writer's purpose.
Conclusion(Evaluation)
The conclusion serves the
purpose of reiterating your
thesis, briefly summarizing the
main points of your analysis,
and explaining the significance
of your analysis. The
significance of your analysis
may be suggested by asking
questions such as these:
How do the rhetorical strategies
that you discussed explain the
effects the speaker achieved
with his or her audience?
Why were the strategies
effective or not effective with
the speaker’s core constituency
and with other audiences?
What do the rhetorical
strategies suggest about the
speaker’s agenda?
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date),
original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (double-spaced), 1”margins, and 12-point font
size, Times New Roman or sans-serif font. The thesis must be underlined.
Genre/Style: Formal analysis: thesis-driven and paragraph formatted
Speech Options Please rhetorically analyze ONE of the following speeches for this assignment. All speeches can be
found within the “Opposing Viewpoints” database connected to this course. See the “Banner” to
access the “Opposing Viewpoints” link.
• "I Co-Founded Facebook. It's Time to Break It Up." NYTimes.com Video Collection, 9
May 2019. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/CT585557102/OVIC?u=bal3345&sid=bookmark-
OVIC&xid=6cc2e568. Accessed 1 Sept. 2021.
• "Just Whom Is This Divorce 'Good For?'." Family in Society: Essential Primary
Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 74-78. Gale In Context:
Opposing Viewpoints,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2688300041/OVIC?u=bal3345&sid=bookmark-
OVIC&xid=d68cc44c. Accessed 1 Sept. 2021.
• Smith, Margaret Chase. "A Declaration of Conscience." Government, Politics, and
Protest: Essential Primary Sources, edited by K. Lee Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 181-
184. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2687500079/OVIC?u=bal3345&sid=bookmark-
OVIC&xid=24661ce7. Accessed 1 Sept. 2021.
• "To Every Englishman in India." Human and Civil Rights: Essential Primary Sources,
edited by Adrienne Wilmoth Lerner, et al., Gale, 2006, pp. 387-390. Gale In Context:
Opposing Viewpoints,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2560000142/OVIC?u=bal3345&sid=bookmark-
OVIC&xid=526cff51. Accessed 1 Sept. 2021.
Assignment 2 – Annotated Bibliography
Expectations The annotated bibliography is a very valuable first-step in the research writing process, since it helps
you:
• Collect and organize source material
• Practice MLA formatting
• Think carefully and critically about source content
• Evaluate source reliability and credibility
• Determine source usefulness
• Synthesize multiple sources
• Decide if you need more sources
• Develop a working thesis
Requirements Length/Sources:
This assignment requires 5 reliable and credible sources with annotations. The minimum word count
is 750 words total, with 150 words per source annotation. *If the minimum word count is not met,
your assignment will be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Organization Each of the five sources should include an annotation with the following four components: a citation,
a summary paragraph, an assessment paragraph, and a reflection paragraph.
Check out the table below for more information about the required content and conditions of each
component:
Component Content Conditions
Reference Citation
Including a properly formatted
citation can help readers access
the same information you
accessed (e.g. author, title,
publishing date, etc.), if they are
interested in learning more
about the source and/or your
topic.
*Think of this as pointing
readers in the right direction.
Be sure to use MLA style for
your citations.
You’ll need to pay attention to
how you order the identifying
criteria and include a hanging
indent for any line after the first
line.
Summary
*Think of this as presenting
readers with “the big picture.”
In this paragraph, you will
provide a thorough overview of
the source, including the main
claim/thesis, the topics covered,
important supporting points,
and any other information
readers need to understand the
overall gist of the source.
Be sure to use summary here,
with no direct quotes.
You’ll want to stick to third-
person language in this section
(no “I, me, we, you, us, our”).
Assessment
*Think of this as providing
readers with proof that the
source is, or is not, useful.
In this paragraph, you will
evaluate the source, noting
whether it is useful, and why.
You can discuss reliability and
credibility, author expertise,
date of publication, bias or
objectivity, and intended
audience. You can also
compare/contrast this source
with other sources that you
have collected, if you find that
analysis helpful.
Be sure to use paraphrase here,
with no direct quotes.
You’ll want to stick to third-
person language in this section
(no “I, me, we, you, us, our”).
Reflection
*Think of this as presenting
readers with your perspective.
In this paragraph, you will share
how this source impacts your
writing process. Did this source
cause you to change your
stance? Did you learn anything
new or interesting about your
topic? How might you use this
source in your future essay?
You can feel free to use first-
person language here, since you
are sharing your own insights
about this source and its
relationship to your research
topic. Be sure to stick to “I, me”
language, though, as you don’t
want to make assumptions
about your readers.
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date),
original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (double-spaced), 1”margins, and 12-point font
size, Times New Roman or sans-serif font.
Genre/Style: Formal analysis following a guided format--see organization and example.
Source(s) Selection: While we encourage you to acquire sources from Gale’s Opposing
Viewpoints, you may access credible, scholarly sources from other resources. Tertiary sources,
such as online encyclopedias, dictionaries and Wikipedia, are not scholarly sources, and should not
be cited within your work; however, they may offer helpful foundational information as you develop
your understanding of an issue. For more information, please review Berkley University’s resource
on scholarly and popular sources: “Evaluating Resources.”
Assignment 3 – Research Proposal Expectations The research proposal aims to develop your ability to navigate a complex research and review
process. This assignment will help you to:
• Collect and organize source material
• Practice MLA formatting
• Organize your ideas coherently and concisely
• Synthesize your own ideas with the ideas from sources
• Practice presenting information to readers in manageable chunks
• Engage in self-reflection and planning processes
Requirements This assignment requires 7 fully developed and supported sections, as outlined in Organization. The
minimum word count is 650 words total. (Please note: there is an error in the instructional video--
only 7 sections are required.)
*If the above requirements are not met, your assignment may be returned with no grade and a
resubmission will be required.
Length/Sources: You should include the 5 sources that you collected for your annotated
bibliography and list them in section 6 of the research proposal. For this assignment only: you do not
need to worry about including a hanging indent for your reference citations. However, please plan to
use MLA formatting for the order and structure of the citations.
Organization: Your proposal should include the following 7 components, and should be presented
using the organizer required for this assignment. Check out the table below for important information
about the content and conditions of each component.
Component Content Conditions
Proposed Topic
In this section, you will describe
the topic that you want to
study, including any important
issues that you will address, in
regards to that topic.
Aim for 1-2 complete and
concise sentences. You want to
be very specific here, with a
nicely narrowed focus.
Question(s)
In this section, you will present
the question(s) that you are
using to investigate your topic
and discuss why these questions
are the ones that you have
decided to use to guide your
progress.
Aim for 4 complete and concise
questions. Taking on more than
that will broaden your scope
too much.
Rationale
In this paragraph, you will share
why this topic interests you, and
what led to you investigating it.
Aim for a fully developed and
supported paragraph, with at
least 4-5 sentences.
Summary
In this paragraph, you will share
some of the parameters for
your project: What are the
specific supporting points you
are considering, and why? Is
there anything you are not
planning on covering? Why/why
not?
Aim for a fully developed and
supported paragraph, with at
least 4-5 sentences.
Prediction
In this paragraph, you will
predict what you will learn from
your investigation of your
topic–what do you think you
will discover? Why do you think
this information will be
important? Do you expect to
find any gaps in information?
Aim for a fully developed and
supported paragraph, with at
least 4-5 sentences.
List of Reviewed Sources
In this section, you will include
the list of the 5 sources you
collected for your annotated
bibliography.
Be sure to use MLA formatting
for these reference citations.
However, you do not need to
worry about using the hanging
indent.
Explanation
In this paragraph, you will
describe why readers should
care about your topic. What
makes your topic important?
Why is this an issue that
everyone needs to know about?
Aim for a fully developed and
supported paragraph, with at
least 4-5 sentences.
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date),
original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (single or double-spaced), 1” margins, 12-point
font size, and Times New Roman or other sans-serif font.
Genre/Style: Formal analysis using a 7-section graphic organizer. Although this is a multimodal
assignment, your writing should be in complete sentences and include academic tone and structure.
Organizer
Please copy and paste this organizer into a Word document and fill out each row on the right with
information specific to your topic and research project. The requirements for the content of each
section are outlined in the Research Proposal Prompt.
You should still plan to use formal MLA style for this assignment, including a MLA title page and
header.
Proposed Topic
Question(s)
Rationale
Summary
Prediction
List of Reviewed Sources
Explanation
Assignment 4 – Research Outline
Expectations
By providing a blueprint for your future essay, the research outline helps you to:
• Build an organizational strategy for your essay
• Reinforce connections between the central claim, reasons, warrants, counter argument, and
evidence
• Determine what elements of the essay may require revision
• Make structural, content, and organizational changes, in a manageable format
Requirements Length/Development:
The outline must be written in complete sentences. *There is a 300 word-minimum requirement
for this assignment. If the word-minimum is not met, your assignment may be returned with
no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Organization:
The outline must include: a central claim, three reasons, warrants, and paired evidence. The outline
should also include at least one counterargument and one rebuttal. Without all of these components
included, your work may be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
*You can add more categories, as you need them (but never less). For example, you may have 4
reasons, warrants, and supportive data for your claim, rather than the minimum of 3.
Component Content Conditions
Intro Main Claim/Thesis
Statement
Top Tip: Use these three Strategies for ThesisStructure:
Simple, Straightforward, and Strong.
Body
1. Reason 1
1.1 Warrant 1
1.1.1 Evidence
1.1.2
Counterargument&
Rebuttal (optional)
Top Tip: Think about transitions and other stylistic
elements, as you build each element.
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed.
Writers may choose where to place this.)
Body
2. Reason 2
2.1 Warrant 2
2.1.1. Evidence
2.1.2.
Counterargument&
Rebuttal (optional)
Top Tip: Consider the order you will use for these
reasons/warrants. Are you going to start with your
strongest point (reason 1), or end with it (reason 3)?
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed.
Writers may choose where to place this.)
Body
3. Reason 3
3.1 Warrant 3
3.1.1. Evidence
Top Tip: Don’t forget to directly address the
counterargument with a rebuttal. This is an essential
element of argument writing.
(Only one counterargument and rebuttal is needed.
Writers may choose where to place this. Note: The last
3.1.2
Counterargument&
Rebuttal (Required)
"body" paragraph is a suggestion.)
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date),
original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (single or double-spaced), 1”margins, and 12-
point font size, Times New Roman or sans-serif font.
Genre/Style: Formal, numbered outline written using academic language. All ideas should be
shared in complete sentences. See organization and example.
Sources: None formally needed for the purpose of documentation; however, you may want to note
from “where” you found your evidence. See example.
Assignment 5 - Researched Argument
Expectations The researched argument is your chance to showcase all of your hard work, as you demonstrate:
• The ability to take a position in a persuasive, logic-driven manner.
• The art of crafting a debatable claim and supporting it with logic-driven evidence
• The skill of building a solid structure and foundation in support of the debatable claim
• Consideration of the counterclaim, and a well-informed rebuttal
• The skill of source support via valid points and credible evidence
Requirements Length: a minimum of 1500 words are required for this assignment. *If the minimum word count is
not met, your assignment will be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Sources: An MLA formatted Works Cited page and in-text (parenthetical) citations are
required for this assignment. The Works Cited page should include at least 6 cited sources. As
a reminder, sources cited on your “Works Cited” page must also be cited within your essay as in-text
citations. You may use all, some or none of the sources you originally read to prepare for all of the
other assignments in this course; however you must include evidence from 6 read and reviewed
scholarly sources for this assignment. *If the minimum source count (6) is not met, your
assignment will be returned with no grade and a resubmission will be required.
Organization The researched argument should include the following four components: Topic Introduction, Body,
Conclusion, and Works Cited Page with at least 6 sources.
Check out the table below for more information about the required content and conditions of each
component:
Component Content Conditions
Topic Introduction
In drafting the introduction,
consider including the following
elements:
Start with an attention grabber
or hook: an extremely poignant
but simple-to-the-point story,
an example, statistic, or
historical context that
introduces the essay’s topic.
Then, give an overview of any
issues involved with the subject.
Define any key terminology
needed to understand the topic.
Quote or paraphrase sources
revealing the controversial
nature of the subject. Highlight
background information on the
Top Tip: Aim for at least six to
eight sentences here, to allow
for full forecasting of the rest of
the essay.
The thesis / main claim should
be underlined.
Top Tip: The thesis is the main
claim!
topic needed to understand the
direction of the paper
Your main claim, and in brief,
the reasons supporting the
claim. (1-2 sentences)
Body
Clearly present the reasons in
the order as listed with the
main claim in paragraph 1.
Provide warrants to connect
each reason; then, explore the
reason with evidence.
You will want to bring up a
counterargument and rebuttal
with each noted reason.
Top Tip: Make sure to use
strong transitions to help
readers move more easily with
you, from one idea (and one
paragraph) to the next.
Conclusion
Restate your claim. Attempt to
not copy verbatim from the
introduction.
Briefly summarize each
“reason” found in the body of
the paper.
End with a strong clincher
statement: an appropriate,
meaningful final sentence that
ties the whole point of the
essay together (you may want
to refer back to the attention
grabber or hook noted in
paragraph 1)
Top Tip: You should plan to
really grab the readers’
attention one last time here–to
leave them with some final food
for thought.
Works Cited
Plan to include 6 sources here
(and each source should also be
cited directly in the essay, as in-
text citations).
Top Tip: As a reminder, sources
cited on your “Works Cited”
page should also be cited within
your essay. You may use all,
some or none of the sources
you originally read to prepare
for all of the other assignments
in this course. Use sources that
best help you to prove your
thesis; this may mean choosing
new, or some new, articles.
Note: 6 sources minimum.
Document Format: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date), original
title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (double-spaced), 1” margins, 12-point font size, and
Times New Roman or other sans-serif font. Includes properly formatting in-text citations and the
Works Cited page. (6 sources minimum.) The thesis should be underlined.
Genre/Style: Formal, academic essay. Underline the thesis/main claim.
Assignment 6 – Research Story
Expectations This assignment allows you to reflect upon and narrate the experience and the value of the research
process. It is open form, and as such, the expectations for how to approach the topic itself is largely
dependent on your own personal experience. The thesis, or conclusion, you have made about the
research process can be featured as a sentence in the introduction or it can be delayed until the last
paragraph where you discuss the larger implications of your experience.
Requirements Length: a minimum of 750 words
Document Formatting: MLA formatting: Heading (name, assignment name, course name, date),
original title, header (page numbers), line-spacing (double-spaced), 1”margins, and 12-point font
size, Times New Roman or sans-serif font. Underlined thesis statement.
Include a subheading for each section of this story: (1) Introduction (2) Research Process (3)
Journey
Genre/Style: Reflection, exploratory, and narrative. This is a genre of writing that is hybrid and
borrows from several genres listed above. Tone can be informal or formal with a focuson being
reflective, introspective, and thoughtful. There should be an introduction to the background of what
led you to the project, a body that maps your experiences, and a discussion that suggests the
importance of the journey to you and others. You may use "I" or a first-person pronoun.
Sources: No sources are required; however, if part of your narration reflects upon how one piece of
research changed your initial opinion, that source should be mentioned in text and cited properly at
the end of the assignment. MLA formatting is required if any source is introduced.
Organization
Your paper should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
You may find it easy to start with giving some background on why you chose your research question,
moving to the experience you had, and ending with a discussion of the importance of your
experience for yourself and others. Consider following the template below:
Your Research Story will be divided into three sections—each with a noted heading.
1. The Introduction (one or two paragraphs):
This is where you introduce your reader to the context of your inquiry. Begin with a “hook” to invest
your readers in your story. In this section, you will discuss what led you to the topic, any experience
or background you feel your readers need to understand your journey, which research question
guided your inquiry, and possibly a conclusion you have drawn from the research process. That
conclusion (thesis) can be explicitly stated in the introduction or delayed until the final discussion
section.
2. The Research Process (the body of the essay consisting of multiple paragraphs, one
paragraph per episode or event):
This is where you take the audience on a narrative journey sharing with them “the story” of your
research process. You may choose to follow how you tried to answer your research question, or how
your initial opinion was challenged after coming into contact with a source, or how you struggled to
navigate digital information. The focus is up to you However, there should be a focus. We don’t need
to know everything. Choose something you feel is important and select the experiences that led to
that illumination. Consider narrating the twists and turns of your journey and aligning the narrative
events with the conclusion you have drawn from the research process. Be descriptive, exploratory,
and detailed.
3. The Discussion (one to two paragraphs):
This section asks you to process and analyze the experience you had while researching. The
discussion is the place to make the conclusion you have drawn about your research journey crystal
clear. If you didn’t mention that statement in the introduction, it must be mentioned here. The
discussion allows you to share with your audience what you learned (or didn’t learn) from conducting
the research or what was important about having a particular experience while researching. You
could also discuss the relevance of your paper to yourself or to an audience.
