Essay assingment
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instructions.docxEssay 3: Responding to an Academic Article in Your Major
ENGL-KE3 MWF Spring 2015
Due Dates:
3/25 – Summary #2 Due in D2L by 11:30 p.m.
4/6 – Group C Peer Review
4/8 – Group A Peer Review
4/10 – Group B Peer Review
4/13 – Final Draft Due in D2L by 11:30 p.m.
Description and Goals: For this informative essay, you will acquaint yourself with writing from your major or career of choice. Like the opinion essay, you will start with a summary to ensure that you understand the topic addressed in your article. You will then examine the topic from the perspective of a student who is new to the discipline. Did you expect to be studying this particular topic when you chose this major, or is it a surprise for you? Does the article illuminate problems within the discipline that are giving you second thoughts? What things can you expect in this career field that you weren’t aware of before? What writing conventions will you have to learn? What would you tell freshmen entering this major to help prepare them for what’s next? Your essay should answer these sorts of questions for your audience as well as give them helpful advice. You may also seek further information from faculty in the discipline, juniors and seniors within the major, or professionals in the field by conducting interviews.
Process: We will begin by learning about the databases available through the James E. Walker Library. Then, you will find an article in your major and complete the Summary #2 assignment in D2L. Summary Instructions are in D2L under Content. You may choose to do optional interviews, but please keep the research limited to the article you are responding to. Bring a rough draft to the workshop for comments, and leave workshop feedback in the Discussions tab in D2L. The final draft should be 800-1200 words and written in MLA format. Cite the original article and your interviews.
Grading: This essay is worth 20% of your final grade and will be graded according to the rubric we will revise in class – this rubric will be posted to D2L under Content.
Tips for Success:
1. Start early!
2. Look at more than one article – the first article you find may not be the best one to work with.
3. Use your resources! In this case, the librarians are invaluable. Ask them lots of questions!
4. Talk to people! The interviews are optional, but may provide you with valuable contacts and information for your future.
5. Consider your audience! You will be writing for freshmen who are considering your major.
