e ASSIGNED TOMADAM PROFESSOR

WRIT 112, Summer 2017, Prof. Laurel DiGangi

UNIT 2, SUSTAINING OUR SURVIVAL Essay #2 – Persuasive essay In “The New Renaissance,” Daniel Quinn stated, “something extraordinary is going to happen in your lifetime,” claiming that “the people of our culture are going to figure out how to live sustainably on this planet—or they’re not.” Quinn also suggests that we are on the brink of a “new Renaissance” that will usher in radical cultural changes that hopefully will allow us to live sustainably. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not? Justify and prove your opinion by providing examples from Quinn and at least two other outside sources (see below). Feel free to focus on specific areas, including those related to your major or interests, that support your view. Try to explore this question through the “lens” of ideas that interest you, be they related to the environment, politics, artificial intelligence, etc. Your essay should demonstrate that you have a thorough understanding of Quinn’s ideas, and that you have thought deeply and critically about this topic. I don’t expect you to prove your claim beyond a reasonable doubt, or resolve all sustainability problems. Nobody can do that. But I do expect you to move beyond thoughts like, “green recycling arrows are seen everywhere, so the new Renaissance is here.” Most important is that you support your claim with strong evidence from your outside sources. You will need to incorporate properly cited quotes and/or paraphrases from the following, for a minimum of 4 sources:

 Daniel Quinn’s “The New Renaissance”

 At least one additional reading from our UNIT 2 readings or the Sustainability Reading List.

 At least two, outside reliable sources.

In order to earn a C or above, you must abide by the following criteria:

Length

 1,200 to 1,800 word minimum, which is 4-6 double-spaced pages. Please note, papers below 1,200 words will be downgraded!

APA

 an APA format cover page AND an APA reference page (not included in the page count above)

 proper APA in-text citations for all paraphrases and direct quotations

 no abstract is necessary for this essay

The important elements all your essays in this class must contain:

 an introduction that has a hook and introduces your audience to the topic. Remember, your audience has not read Quinn; thus, you will need to introduce him and the gist of his idea.

Daniel Quinn, author of

“The New Renaissance”

DiGangi / WRIT 112 / Summer 2015 2

 a thesis that makes a specific, debatable claim; your thesis for this essay must be the last sentence in your one-paragraph introduction.

 effectively organized paragraphs with strong topic sentences and transitions

 smoothly synthesized evidence that supports your thesis and is convincing and clear to the reader

 a conclusion that does not merely restate your thesis but that leaves the reader with further ‘food for thought’ A few more rules and tips

 As this is a short essay, please do not use any long block quotes.

 It’s okay to use the word “I” when using your own specific evidence. For example, if I write about my experiences at the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, I cannot do this without the word “I,” just as Louv does in his book. However, I do not need to say “I believe that the tourists should not have trampled the flowers.” I can simply say, “The tourists should not have trampled the flowers.” Please remove “I believe,” “I think,” “I feel,” and “in my opinion” from all academic essays.

 Do not use the word “you.” Yes, I’m using it here because this is an informal instruction sheet; I am telling you what to do. However, when you write for an audience of peers, you should use “we” instead, to include yourself with your readers. Doing so shows your readers that you don’t think you’re better than them. Only your professors can do that!

 Please, no “drop quotes”! Create a “quotation sandwich” for each quote by 1) creating context for your quote, 2) using a signal phrase before the quote, and 3) when possible, easing out of the quote by adding some analysis.

 Your language should be formal, but clear and direct. Avoid, inflated, pompous language, but also avoid slang and language that is too informal.

See the grading rubric on the next page to understand how I will grade this essay!

DiGangi / WRIT 112 / Summer 2015 3

WRIT 112 Grading Sheet Essay #2, Sustaining our survival Prof. Laurel DiGangi

Disclaimer: This grading sheet is a guide that I use for two purposes: 1) to help me grade your essay fairly, and 2) to help you learn

how to improve your essay. Please understand that this is not an exact system; your grade is based on my overall, final judgment

Superior best

possible

A

Good minor flaws

B

Passes but needs

major improve-

ments

C

No pass

D

Fails

F

Introduction

&

Thesis

10%

The introduction engages readers’ interest and introduces the topic clearly. It provides any background information

the readers might need to help them understand the rest of the essay. The essay has a main point (a debatable thesis)

that is clearly stated at the end of the introduction.

Support/

Content

30%

The paper’s body supports the thesis with clear, well-developed details. It does not repeat ideas and is clear and well-

focused. Student must incorporate quotes and paraphrases from a minimum of four sources that are defined on the

first page of this assignment sheet. No idea should not contradict the thesis (unless it is clearly a counterargument

which is rebutted). You must represent all your sources accurately.

Structure

10%

The paper is organized and seems to follow an outline. Paragraphs are presented in a logical order so the reader can

easily understand the writer’s meaning. Each paragraph is unified and sticks to one topic. Transitions create a clear

flow between sentences and paragraphs.

Overall

clarity/style

20%

The reader can understand all sentences clearly. No sentences are awkward or confusing. The writing is concise and

not too wordy or repetitious. The style is neither overly formal nor too casual. All quotes must be integrated properly.

NOT DROP QUOTES!

Grammar &

punctuation

20%

Essay contains no run-ons, comma splices, fragments, pronoun problems, capitalization, and other grammatical errors.

There are no misspelled words. Essay has been properly proofread.

APA Format

10%

Essay uses template on Moodle. Citations are correct and use proper APA style for both in-text citations and

References list at the end. Please note that this category is about citing properly. Failure to properly cite most sources

will result in a zero!

If box is checked, your paper has been downgraded because it does not meet the minimum page requirements on this assignment sheet.

If box is checked, I am requiring you to take a revised copy of this paper to the Writing Center for an in-person appointment. 1. Revise your paper according to my comments.2. Take this new, revised paper to the Writing Center, along with your revision. The tutor can help you make further revisions and polish your paper further. 3. Revise your paper again based on your meeting with the tutor, and turn in this polished paper to me.

If box is checked, I am not accepting your essay because you have not cited your sources, or it is plagiarized.

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