Research essay

ENG130 – Literature and Composition

Research Essay Assignment

Essay for ENG 130 Research Essay

Assigned: Unit 4 Draft Due: 11:59 PM EST Sunday of Unit 6. Final Due: 11:59 PM EST Sunday of Unit 7. Length and format: 4-5 pages. The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the 4-5 page length of the essay. It should also be double spaced, written in Times New Roman, and in 12 point font. Essay should conform to APA formatting and citation style. Please note that the Draft should be between four and five pages in length. Instructions: Thus far in the course, we have looked at a variety of different forms of literature. Now, we will explore the role you think literature has on society at large. Create a thesis statement that answers the following question: How can literature act to bring about changes to modern society? You should use at least three pieces of literature that we have read in the class to act as examples to support your position. You will also need to find at least three academic and scholarly sources from the library databases to support your argument, such as academic journal articles. The final version of your research essay will be due in Unit 7. The final version is your chance to revise the rough draft to present a clearer and more organized finished product. The rough draft and the final version should not be exact replicas of each other. You should take the notes and comments you received on the rough draft and apply them to the final product. The requirements for Research Essay are:

• Create an effective and clear argument o Make sure the argument identifies the role literature has to change the modern world o Support your argument with specific topics

• Select at least three works of literature to support your topics o Describe in what ways those works support your position o Analyze specific examples from those works

• Locate and utilize specific academic sources o Find at least three academic and reliable sources to support your argument o Use examples from those sources to discuss in your essay

• Include an APA title page • Use the objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc. • Use APA format when offering textual evidence by properly setting up the in-text citations and

the corresponding References page

Students: Be sure to read the criteria, by which your paper/project will be evaluated,

before you write, and again after you write.

Research Essay Rubric

0-4 5-10 11-15 16-20 Meets Assignment Requirements

Few assignment requirements are met.

Some assignment requirements are met.

Most assignment requirements are met.

Many to all assignment requirements are fully met.

Thesis Statement (Controlling Idea)

Thesis is confusing, vague or unclear. Thesis is loosely related to the paper or not present.

Thesis is attempted with little relation to the overall topic. Some supporting details missing.

Thesis is present and relates to the majority of the paper.

Thesis is organized and focused on the paper. It includes all main points and uses active voice to state the position.

Introduction Background details are a random collection of information, unclear, or not related to the topic. There may be no clear introduction and background details.

Introduction attempted explains the background, but may lack detail.

Introduction explains the background, including an overview of the essay’s main points.

Introduction uses interesting anecdotes, questions, or other information to build interest. Many to all main points are logically related and developed.

Conclusion Conclusion is unclear or only loosely related to content. May not summarize main points.

Conclusion is recognizable and re-states the thesis and main points.

Conclusion is clear and flows from the body of the paper and the thesis statement. Effectively re- states thesis and main points and may move toward potential, related concepts.

Conclusion is effective, clear, and organized. Draws information presented in the body and presents a new perspective, or potential solutions to the problems being discussed.

Organization, Structure, and Transitions

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. The writing is weak or inconsistent. Transitions between sentences or paragraphs may be missing or unclear.

Writing may have some discernable organization, but may lack transitions between sentences or paragraphs. Some details are not in a logical or expected order.

Writing is organized. Details are placed in a logical order, and some transitions are present at both sentence and paragraph levels.

Writing is effective, purposeful, and well-organized. Main points are covered in detail. Many to all transitions are designed to move the paper forward from thesis to conclusion.

Content, Argument, Research, and Purpose

The argument is not presented and/or the argument is not supported with evidence from the text and scholarly sources.

The argument is presented with some evidence to support it, but parts of the argument still need to be clarified or evidence could be better utilized from the text and scholarly sources.

The argument in the essay is clear and well presented with minor need for clarification. Most evidence is properly used in the essay from the text and scholarly sources.

The argument in the essay is clear, organized, and features effective evidence from the text and scholarly sources.

Textual Support and Integration of Information

Very little textual support is given and integrated properly. Textual support may not relate to the thesis statement.

Some textual support is given and integrated properly. Topics are somewhat related to the thesis statement, but may lack evidence to support them.

At least three main points are present, although may not always relate to the thesis. Some integration of information is present.

Main points are well-developed, detailed, and directly related to the thesis. Thoroughly integrated information with a logical and consistent flow between ideas.

APA Format

Few APA conventions are followed, and may be incorrectly formatted.

Some APA conventions are followed, although not always correctly.

APA conventions followed with some errors evident throughout.

Free of many to all errors in APA conventions.

Grammar and Mechanics

Grammar, spelling,

Several errors in grammar,

Some spelling, grammar,

Free of punctuation,

punctuation, and mechanics errors occur throughout document. Word choices are seldom academic. Sentence structure may be illogical or unclear.

punctuation, spelling and mechanics present. Word choice reveals some understanding of academic language requirements. Many sentence structure issues exist.

punctuation and mechanical errors are evident. Academic language is upheld. The sentence structure is often logical and clear so that relationships among ideas are established.

spelling, grammar, and other mechanical errors. Consistent use of academic word choices. Sentence structure is mostly logical and clear.

Tone, Point of View, and Audience

Writing does not address the appropriate audience, may contain clichés, tense issues, or inconsistencies in tone and/or point of view.

Writing may be inconsistent in tone, tense, and point of view. Paper makes some attempts to address appropriate audience.

Writing shows some understanding of tone, tense, point of view. Audience is usually appropriately addressed.

The writing demonstrates a command of tone, tense, and point of view. Appropriate audience is addressed.

*A zero can be earned if the above criteria are not met. *Plagiarism will result in a zero.