Southern New Hampshire University
PHL-111 Module Two Journal Guidelines and Rubric
Overview: For the final project in this course, you will write a critical essay in which you use
critical thinking skills to examine an argument. You will choose an article from the three options
presented in the Final Project Topics and Resources module. For this journal assignment, review
the Final Project Guidelines and Rubric to see the requirements of the critical essay. Select the
topic that you will focus on and explain why you chose that topic.
Prompt: Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in your journal
assignment:
Which topic do you plan to focus on? Describe your chosen topic for your instructor and
include any background relevant to your topic.
Describe any personal connection you have to the topic. Why is the topic of particular
interest to you?
Grading Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Submit assignment as a Word document with double spacing, 12-
point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. Your journal assignment should be 1 to 2
paragraphs in length.
Critical
Elements
Proficient
(100%)
Needs
Improvement
(75%)
Not evident
(0%)
Value
Topic Describes the
chosen topic
Describes the
chosen topic but
the description
lacks detail or is
unclear
Does not
describe the
chosen topic
45
Introduction:
Personal
Connection
Describes
personal
connection to the
chosen topic
Describes
personal
connection to the
chosen topic but
the description
Does not
describe
personal
connection to the
chosen topic
45
lacks detail or is
unclear
Articulation of
Response
Submission has
no major errors
related to
citations,
grammar,
spelling, syntax,
or organization
Submission has
major errors
related to
citations,
grammar,
spelling, syntax,
or organization
that negatively
impact
readability and
articulation of
main ideas
Submission has
critical errors
related to
citations,
grammar,
spelling, syntax,
or organization
that prevent
understanding of
ideas
10
Total 100%
