Essay

The W1, W2, and W3 assignments are on the same topic:

Should employers be able to fire or discipline employees for what they say or do online? Why or why not?

· W1 -- Three sentences: one thesis sentence and two topic or reason sentences. You will not include any quotations in these three statements. 

· W2 -- Two body paragraphs: each body paragraph will begin with one of the topic sentences you identified in W1. The paragraph that follows the topic sentence will provide support for the statement. 

· W3 -- A complete four-paragraph essay: an introductory paragraph, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.  

W1 Assignment

1. Read a few online articles on the assignment topic. 

2. Take a stand:  Employers (should/should not) be able to fire or discipline their employees for what they do or say online.  Keep your thesis simple.

3. Decide on two clear reasons to support your thesis. Write your reasons as complete sentences, not as phrases and not as questions. (These reasons will become the topic sentences for your W2 paper.) 

4. Write your thesis and topic sentences, and label them as such. (See attached W1 template.)

· Thesis sentence: (Do not include any reasons in this statement.Simply state your position.)

· Topic/Reasons sentence one: (Write your first topic/reason sentence)

· Topic/Reason sentence two: (Write your second topic/reason sentence)

Grading guidelines for W1

Grading Criteria Possible Points

· Formatting--document looks like the attached template for W1--1 point

· Thesis sentence 1

· Topic sentence one 1.5

· Topic sentence two 1.5

· Total possible--5 points

W2 Assignment:

Do not submit this assignment until you have received your graded W1 assignment and read my comments.

1. Write two paragraphs that support the thesis you submitted in the W1 assignment. If you want or need to change or edit your thesis or topic sentences after reviewing the feedback you were given on your W1 assignment, you may do so.

2. Begin each body paragraph with an underlined topic sentence. The topic sentence is a clearly stated reason in support of your thesis. It cannot be a question or a quotation. Reminder: A topic/reason sentence has two jobs: to serve as a reason in support of your thesis, and to announce which reason will be discussed and supported in the body paragraph that follows. Again, each topic sentence should be a reason in support of your thesis, not simply an introduction to the paragraph. 

3. Following the topic sentence, provide support from your readings on the topic: you must use and cite at least two sources in W2, at least one source in each paragraph.*

4. Cite your sources using either MLA style. Consult your course textbook or the online Purdue Owl if you need help citing and referencing a source in an academic paper. Please remember that the MLA Style Guide has been recently updated, and the examples in older editions of the LBB textbook do not include the most recent changes.

5. Include a Works Cited (MLA) list after the second body paragraph.

W3 Assignment:

1. Read the Writing and Formatting Your Essay document attached to this folder. If you do not follow these guidelines, you will not receive a passing grade.

2. Read the Essay Grading Guidelines document attached to this folder.

3. Write a four paragraph essay based on the thesis and topic sentences you submitted for the W1 and W2 assignments. If you want or need to change your thesis or topic sentence after reviewing the feedback you were given on your W2 assignment, you may do so. However, you must write on the assigned topic.

4. Include the following:

· Title for the essay

· Introductory paragraph that ends in an underlined thesis statement

· Two body paragraphs that each begin with an underlined topic sentence.

· A conclusion

· A Works Cited list.*

* References note:

Use a minimum of 2 authoritative, credible online sources to support your argument, at least 1 source in each body paragraph. Each quote should be introduced in the text with a signal phrase: let the reader know in advance whom you are quoting and the context of the source. All sources should be correctly cited in the text using parenthetical citations where needed, and each source is included in a Works Cited section at the end of the document, following MLA style guidelines (see course textbook) consistently. Do not cite sources in the body of the essay with Internet addresses (URLs), nor only use a URL for the reference at the end of the document.