Short Essay

REL 2300 Walters

  Short Writing Assignment #2

  Please answer the following question with in a one-page essay. Describe what you have learned about a religion that you were exposed to for the first time this semester.

  Format

  Your response must include these elements:

  Topic Sentence: Give a direct and precise answer to the question. State clearly your

position on the question so there is no doubt in the readers’ mind where you stand.

  Definition: Explain how you are using the main terms included in the topic sentence.

  Context: Explain where the example to be used comes from and the circumstances

surrounding its relevance.  

Example(s) Cite a specific example.  

Interpretation: In the case of a quotation taken from the text, interpret it fully. In the case of a painting describe it completely.

  Relationship: Explain the relationship between the example and the position you have

taken on the subject.            

Grading Rubric    

IIndnd ii caca tt oo rr ss LL ee vv ee ll ss ofof

AA chch ii ee vv ee mmentent

BB ee gg ii nnnn ii ngng (( 0)0) DD ee vv elel opop ii ngng (( 1)1) CC oo mmpp etet entent (( 33 )) AA ccocco mmpp lisl is hedhed (( 55 ))    

Meaning and Development: ideas, examples, reasons and

evidence, point of view

  Inappropriate

No viable point of view; little or no evidence; weak critical

thinking; providing insufficient reasons or other

support

  Appropriate Develops a point of view; demonstrating some critical thinking; may have some inadequate examples,

reasons and other evidence of support

Effective Develops a point of view and

demonstrates competent critical thinking; enough

supporting detail to accomplish the purpose of the

question

  Insightful

Ideas are fresh, mature and extensively developed;

insightfully develops a point of view and demonstrates

outstanding critical thinking

   

Conventions: grammar. punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, format

Distracting Errors interfere with writer’s

ability to consistently communicate purpose;

pervasive mechanical errors obscure meaning;

inappropriate format

  Fundamental

Errors interfere with writer’s ability to communicate

purpose; contains an accumulation of errors; some

weakness in format

  Controlled Occasional errors do not interfere with writer’s

ability to communicate purpose; generally appropriate format

Polished Control of conventions contribute to

the writer’s ability to communicate purpose;

free of most mechanical errors; appropriate format