Small placement essay

CPS Entrance Essay Writing Sample Instructions

NOTE: Please take this entrance essay requirement seriously and submit your

very best writing. An essay evaluation score of 1 or 2.5 requires you to take an

English writing class, even if you have previously taken a college level writing

course. The English course requirement based on the essay score does not

replace any core requirements needed for degree completion.

There is not an option to rewrite the essay or appeal the results. Please refer

to the Purdue Online Writing Lab (Purdue OWL) for information about

developing an essay and grammatical rules expected for the essay.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

1. Place your full name and middle initial at the top left corner of each page of the

essay.

2. Compose an essay addressing one of the following topics:

 Define the concept of “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) and explain three ways the concept is or could be practiced in your company or organization.

 Discuss three ways that technological innovation has worked to the detriment of organizational dynamics in your work place (not in society).

 Discuss three reasons why corporate special interest groups influence has worked to enhance (or not enhance) the American political process.

 Discuss three reasons why employees in your organization are motivated to do their jobs or are not motivated to do their jobs (choose one view or the other).

3. Your essay must be structured as follows:

 Use a title that restates the essence of the question.

 Use a minimum of five paragraphs and no more than a maximum of eight, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Quality, substantive essays are usually longer than

shorter.

 Type the essay double spaced using Times New Roman 12 font.

 Compose the essay in the third person plural (singular where appropriate) form avoiding first person shifts to pronouns like I, my, me, and mine, or second person shifts to you,

your, we, our, us. Also, avoid using he/she or him/her gender delineations.

 Avoid quotes unless they have specific relevance to justify a conclusion.

 Paragraphs should range from about five to six sentences for introductions, and six to eight sentences in the body of the essay incorporating examples, explanations,

definitions, and data where appropriate. Avoid making general statements without

providing information to enhance and explain each point.

 Avoid giving generic personal opinions; instead base the discussion on researched conclusions that provide depth and breadth of insight into the topic. Reference and cite

information in the body of the essay from sources that indicate conclusions (facts, data)

based on research. Use two to three sources. Be sure to indicate where the information

comes from using an acceptable documentation/footnote style (e.g. MLA or Chicago,

preferably APA).

 Pay particular attention to the following grammatical points: subject-verb agreement, pronoun antecedent agreement and pronoun reference, singular shifts to plural form and

vice versa, and transitional words and expressions that effectively transfer ideas from one

paragraph to another or between ideas within paragraphs. Avoid using one word

transitions to introduce paragraphs and pronouns such as it to begin sentences.

 Avoid bullet point lists.

4. Your essay will be evaluated for the following criteria (review these factors before

submitting your final essay):

 The overall essay structure which includes (a) a sound introduction that establishes the thesis/purpose for the essay; (b) organized body addressing three points substantiating the

essay’s purpose; and (c) a conclusion that is more than a summary but also makes a

prediction, shows a connection to a relevant point, or provides a direction as to what

needs to be done to address the next stage of the essay’s discussion.

 Paragraph organization which includes a sufficient number of sentences (typically five to eight) that develop an idea supported by explanations and specific examples.

 Content which includes definitions, examples, data, and explanations, when appropriate, that enhance the understanding of what is written. In addition, the context for statements

in the essay must agree to the referenced place, person, time, event, or idea (avoid

beginning sentences with pronouns or expletives like it, there, and this unless the context

is clear).

 Grammar which includes proper sentence structure and syntax, correct verb and pronoun agreement, appropriate grammatical number and person, and consistent number and

person.

 Punctuation which includes special attention to the proper use of commas, colons, semi- colons, apostrophes, italics, and quotes.

 Style which includes sentences that correctly and effectively incorporate strong and appropriate word use; diction; tone; and transitional words and expressions between

paragraphs and between sentences to ensure clarity, reference, context, and readability.

5. Essay Assessment Results

 Based on the scoring results of the individual essay, students will be required or recommended to take an English course appropriate to their skill level.

Score of 0-2: EN 200 – Essentials of Effective Writing REQUIRED

Score of 2-2.5: EN 203 – Intermediate Composition REQUIRED (a writing course must

be completed during the first three terms of enrollment in the College of Professional

Studies as determined from the transfer credit evaluation.)

Score of 2.5-2.9: EN 203 Recommended or student should arrange to either meet with or

submit initial course assignments to a Regis Writing Consultant for review and guidance.

Score of 3-4: No specific writing course is required.

9/14/2011