writing assignment

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General (Turnitin) Written Assignment Instructions Revised Summer 2016

1. Format

a. Use Microsoft Word, 12 point font, single spacing.

b. Use the format demonstrated in the sample paper called “Excerpts from A papers ..” provided under Writing Resources in Blackboard for Assignments 2 through 4. This format incorporates the use of headers that distinguish the different areas of thought within the memo. Additionally, for Assignments 1 you may incorporate headers if necessary to more effectively convey your ideas.

c. Where using headers in Assignments 2 through 4, you must include these:

1. Facts 2. Issue 3. Analysis (note- this is where you may want to use additional headers to further

organize your thoughts) 4. Recommendation

d. Suggested Paper Length – these are ranges, not absolutes

1. Assignment 1 should be between 500 and 600 words; 2. Assignments 2 and 3 should be between 750 and 1000 words; 3. Assignment 4 should be between 1400 and 2000 words.

e. The purpose of the guide is to help you understand whether you have thought deeply

enough about the topic. Your grade does not depend on the number of words written. However, your grade will be affected by whether or not you have fully analyzed the issue and fully supported your conclusion/decision. If you find that you are significantly over this range of words, you should edit your paper so that your ideas and words are conveyed in the most concise manner. This does not mean eliminating key arguments. It just means editing your wording so that it is more concisely written.

f. Inside your document – DO NOT include any personal information inside your

document (such as name, CougarNet ID, etc). We will not remove this information before submitting it for assessment.

2. Submitting your assignment into the link in BB

a. Upload your Word document into the Turnitin link provided in Blackboard. b. You will be asked to provide a name for your document. You can use any name, but it

may be a good idea to use the same assignment title as your Word file name so you don’t get confused. This is not critical and no points will be deducted for using some other name here.

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All assignments must be submitted using the assigned link in Blackboard. We will not accept papers sent via email or delivered by hand. It is your responsibility to ensure that your paper has been submitted properly AND on time. When you properly submit your paper, you will receive an email confirmation from Turnitin confirming your submission. If you don’t get this you haven’t completed the submission process and you will not receive credit for your work.

3. Feedback and grades

All grades are issued by Daniel Currie, your professor though the papers are graded with the help of TA’s. You may access your feedback via Blackboard 10-12 days after the due date. Your grade will be posted into the grade book thereafter. Your grade on your paper and in the grade book may differ. You should check both. Your paper with feedback will be returned to you in the same Weekly Folder where you submitted your paper.

4. Academic honesty (discussing the papers, cheating, and plagiarism)

All assignments, including this one, are individual assignments. This means that you are prohibited from discussing any part of the assignment with other people. Your analysis and work must be original. This means that you must use proper citations (and quotations, where necessary) throughout your paper and may not submit a paper that you used in a prior class.

We will analyze your papers using www.turnitin.com. This website checks your paper to determine the similarity of your paper to other students’ papers, internet or book resources, and papers found commercially on the internet. If your paper is sufficiently similar to another student's paper or other resource, you will be reported for violating the academic honesty code. This may result in earning an F in the class or expulsion from the university.

Citations MUST BE provided for any information used or relied upon that is not your original idea. There are plagiarism presentations posted on the course website. It is your responsibility to review this to be sure you fully understand what constitutes plagiarism, how to properly paraphrase and cite, and when to use quotations. If this information is not sufficient for you to understand how to provide a proper citation, you may want to visit the following website: http://www.uh.edu/writecen/Resources/GrammarAndDocumentation.php.

You may use MLA or APA or any other format as long as (1) you clearly identify that the work is attributable to another source, AND (2) we can easily locate the original source.

5. Grading rubric/chart

Assignments are worth either 50 (Assignment 1,2, and 3) or 100 points (Assignment 4.) Please review each assignment’s grading rubric as each assignment may be different.

Written communication 50% Critical thinking and knowledge application 50%

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A

B

C

D

F

Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication Written communication

Clearly arranged and organized;

Professional tone (i.e., appropriate choice of words for business writing);

Sentences are easily understood, concise, direct, and effective;

No noticeable editing errors; AND

Paper follows required format.

For the most part…

Clearly arranged and organized;

Professional tone;

Sentences are functional; AND/OR

Very few editing errors.

In many places…

Confusing due to unclear sentences or paragraphs, and/or lack of organization;

Many sentences are overly simple or needlessly complicated; AND/OR

Several editing errors.

In most places…

Confusing due to unclear sentences or paragraphs, and/or lack of organization;

Most sentences are overly simple or needlessly complicated; AND/OR

So many editing errors that paper is difficult to read.

Wholly ignores assignment instructions;

Sentences are incoherent or nonsensical; AND/OR

Paper is difficult to read, careless, irresponsible.

Critical thinking and knowledge application

Critical thinking and knowledge application

Critical thinking and knowledge application

Critical thinking and knowledge application

Critical thinking and knowledge application

Event discussed represents most pressing ethical issue;

Full understanding of the ethical theories discussed (including appropriate discussion of criticisms or disadvantages of each ethical lens applied);

Full consideration of the issues and application of the facts to the theories;

Arguments and sentences are well- supported and rational;

Logical flow of

For the most part…

Full understanding of the ethical theories discussed;

Full consideration of the issues;

Demonstrates a full understanding of the ethical theories applied;

Arguments and sentences are well- supported and rational;

Logical flow of arguments;

Conclusion follows rationally from the

In many places… Lacks full understanding of the ethical theories discussed; Lacks full consideration of the issues; Arguments and sentences are not rational or well-supported;

Arguments may not be presented in a logical order;

Conclusion may not follow rationally from the arguments presented; AND/OR

Paper has little original thought because most of

In most places…

Lacks full understanding of the ethical theories discussed;

Lacks full consideration of the issues;

Arguments or sentences are not rational or well- supported;

Arguments may not be presented in a logical order;

Conclusion may not follow rationally from the arguments

Most of the paper remains unfinished;

Rambles incoherently; AND/OR;

Paper has very little original thought because most of the analysis is from quoted sources.

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8. Rubric interpretation

a. Most pressing ethical issue – You must describe the issue in 1-2 succinct sentences, and then explain what makes the issue an ethical one. In other words, what makes the issue an ethical one (as opposed to just a regular business decision)? Considering this will help you determine the most pressing ethical issue to be discussed (and provide a context for your arguments).

b. Arguments are well-supported and rational – You should fully define the ethical lens/theory used, discuss it, tell how it will apply in the case, then apply the facts to the lens/theory. Definition and introductory discussion of the theories should be brief (approximately ¼ of your paper).

1. Application of the facts to the theories – This is the most critical part of your paper and should consist of approximately ¾ of your paper. You must consider criticisms to applying the theories. For example, what is a disadvantage to using theory “x”? This is where making an outline can really help to organize your thoughts and ensure you cover all of the topics necessary.

2. You should include a brief conclusion after each lens/theory analysis. This will provide the reader closure on your analysis for each lens.

c. Writing directly and concisely – If you feel that you are well over the suggested number of words, eliminate what is not necessary to argue your points. Most papers can cut out at least 100 words by eliminating unnecessary words/phrases/sentence and still retain all of the arguments required to support your conclusion.

d. Conclusion – This should directly answer the question you asked AND make sense given your analysis. You should not restate any arguments here. This is where you tell us your final conclusion, after considering the different lenses.

arguments;

Conclusion follows rationally from the arguments presented; AND

Paper presents mostly original thought (with use of occasional quotes, if appropriate).

arguments presented;

Paper presents mostly original thought (with use of occasional quotes, if appropriate).

the analysis is from quoted sources.

presented; AND/OR

Paper has very little original thought because most of the analysis is from quoted sources.