Unit 4 Assignment - Pros and Cons of an Issue (ENG110 - College Writing)

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ENG110 – College Writing

Unit 4 Assignment: Pro and Con of an Issue

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday, of Unit 4 Points: 100

Overview:

This assignment requires you to write two paragraphs. The first paragraph will be the

“pro” in support of your issue. The second paragraph will be the “con” of your issue.

Each paragraph will have a paraphrased or summarized example.

Instructions: 1. Select ONE of these issues:

a. Wage Standards

b. Screen Time for Children

c. Jury Duty

2. Go to the Library database and search for one “pro” article and one “con” article on the issue.

3. Read the article and underline important support that you will want to include in your paragraphs.

4. Create your pro paragraph using your pro article; include a paraphrase or a summary of the evidence from your article. Be sure to include an in-text citation: (author’s last name, year of publication).

5. Create your con paragraph using your con article; include a paraphrase or a summary of the evidence from your article. Be sure to include an in-text citation: (author’s last name, year of publication).

6. Make sure you create a reference page for the two articles you use in your paragraphs.

Requirements:

• Submit a Word document or PDF.

• Include an APA formatted title page and proper APA style formatting on the document

(Times New Roman, 12-point font suggested), with 1-inch margins and double- spaced.

• Each paragraph should be 7–9 sentences.

• Use evidence from an academic and reliable library resource that is either paraphrased or summarized. Make sure to include that evidence in your essay with a parenthetical citation and a references page. Follow proper APA format when including that evidence.

• Use objective third-person language: “he,” “she,” “it,” “him,” “her,”

“himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “they,” “them,” “their,” “themselves.” (Avoid

subjective language, such as “I,” “me,” “you,” “we,” “us,” etc.)

Evaluation Rubric for Pro and Con of an Issue

CRITERIA Novice Emerging Competent Exemplary

Paraphrase/ Summary

(0–14 Points) (15–19 Points) (20–22 Points) (23–25 Points)

Paraphrase/summary is not incorporated in the paragraphs or does not relate to the topic of the paragraph(s). No in- text citations are used.

Paraphrase/summary is attempted but is not incorporated in the paragraph(s) correctly. In-text citations may not be included or may not be properly formatted.

Paraphrase/summary is present in the paragraph and offers basic support to the topic of the paragraph. In-text citations include very few errors.

Paraphrase/summary is present and incorporated properly and supports the topic of the paragraph. In-text citations are included and properly formatted.

Paragraph Structure

No topic sentence is used to focus the paragraph(s), and the overall paragraph(s) does not have a clear topic related to a pro/con of the issue. The paragraph is not formatted correctly and includes no supporting sentences.

A topic sentence is attempted to focus the paragraph(s) but is, at times, either too general or too specific to show the pro/con of the issue. The paragraph itself sometimes gets off- topic and/or includes supporting sentences that do not relate to the pro/con topic.

A topic sentence is attempted to focus the paragraph(s) and is generally well crafted to show the pro/con of the issue. The paragraph itself generally stays on- topic and includes some supporting sentences that relate better to the pro/con topics.

A topic sentence is attempted that effectively focuses the paragraph(s) to show the pro/con of the issue. The paragraph itself stays consistently on-topic and includes supporting sentences that relate well to the topic.

Objective Voice

(0–11 Points) (12–15 Points) (16–17 Points) (18–20 Points)

The writer’s voice is not objective. First- and second- person are used consistently.

The writer’s voice is not always objective. Third-person is used incorrectly, and first/second person is often used.

The writer’s voice is mostly objective, using third-person and only occasionally slipping into first- or second-person.

The writer’s voice remains objective, using third person without slipping into first- or second- person.

Paragraph Length

(0–5 Points) (6–7 Points) (8 Points) (9–10 Points)

Paragraph is only one sentence.

Paragraph is between 2 and 4 sentences.

Paragraph is between 5 and 6 sentences.

Paragraph is at least 7 sentences in length.

APA Format APA format is not followed.

APA format is sometimes followed.

APA format is mostly followed.

APA format is followed.

CRITERIA Novice Emerging Competent Exemplary

Grammar and Mechanics

Writing is hard to understand because of errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Word choice is inappropriate for an academic setting. Sentence structure is often unclear.

Writing is sometimes difficult to understand because of several errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Word choice is sometimes inappropriate for an academic setting. Sentence structure is sometimes unclear.

Writing is easy to understand despite minor errors in punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Appropriate word choice is used for an academic setting. Sentence structure is mostly clear.

Writing is free of almost all punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors. Appropriate word choice is used for an academic setting. Sentence structure is clear.