Academic Giant

ENG 123 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric: Research Essay Outline This course focuses on the process of conducting valid research to advance knowledge for various purposes. By this point, you have selected and narrowed a topic for research and developed an annotated bibliography. In this assignment, you will organize your research under the major points that you plan to make in your paper. Outlines are a valuable tool because they will propel you into the drafting of your essay. Your outline may change or morph as you develop your rough draft. For this assignment, you will create an outline that follows the structure of the example found in section 4.13 of your interactive eLearning material. Make sure to review this example before drafting your outline. Make sure to address the following in your outline:

 Introduction o Complete thesis statement. This should be a finalized version of the thesis statement which incorporates the feedback received from the

annotated bibliography.

 Break down the thesis statement into at least three main points o Main Point #1

 Create a body paragraph topic sentence.  Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point).  Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement

o Main Point #2  Create a body paragraph topic sentence.  Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point).  Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement

o Main Point #3  Create a body paragraph topic sentence.  Include supporting evidence (in other words, include at least one academic resource to support the main point).  Summary sentence of the first body paragraph, which ties the main point back to the thesis statement

o Conclusion  Draft a summary statement that includes the thesis and main points of the paper.

o Reference Page  Include a reference citation for each source mentioned in your outline.  Format the page using either MLA or APA style.

Guidelines for Submission: The sources and citations within the outline should adhere to all APA or MLA standards of formatting using at least three resources from those qualified in the annotated bibliography. Instructor Feedback: This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions.

Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Introduction Develops a complete thesis that makes an arguable claim about a chosen topic that is appropriate for the requirements of the essay

Develops a complete thesis, but it does not make an arguable claim about a chosen topic OR it is not appropriate for the requirements of the essay

Does not develop a complete thesis

15

Main Point #1 Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, includes supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, and provides a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph and supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, but does not provide a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, but does not include supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence

20

Main Point #2 Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, includes supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, and provides a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph and supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, but does not provide a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, but does not include supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence

20

Main Point #3 Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, includes supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, and provides a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph and supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence, but does not provide a summary sentence

Includes a topic sentence for the body paragraph, but does not include supporting evidence that relates to the topic sentence

20

Conclusion Drafts a summary statement that includes the main points and thesis statement

Drafts a statement for the conclusion, but it does not summarize the main points and thesis statement

Does not draft a statement for the conclusion

10

References Includes a citation for each source used in the outline and uses proper MLA or APA formatting

Includes a citation for each source used in the outline, but there are some errors in the MLA or APA formatting

Does not include a citation for each source used in the outline OR there are major errors in the MLA or APA formatting

10

Control of Syntax and Mechanics

Adheres to the conventions of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and usage with minor errors that do not impact readability

Adheres to the conventions of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and usage with minor errors that impact readability

Does not adhere throughout to the conventions of grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and usage, hindering readability throughout

5

Earned Total 100%