English 101

Essay #1—Checklist for Completion Max Points: 5 Prompt: For each section, please indicate it has been completed and/or considered before the Final Draft of Essay #1 is submitted. Simply indicate this in the text-box, file, or comment box that EACH sections (and sub-points) have been considered and/or completed. Final Draft Checklist Minimum Page Requirement: Are there at least 4-6 full pages of final draft writing? The minimum amount is 4 pages for the final draft. The average length for this final Essay #1 will be approximately 4-6 pages. Sources: You must have a minimum of 3 sources. One should be the TED Talk you chose and you can include as many additional sources as needed. MLA formatting for academic essay (see MLA example essay in The Little Seagull Handbook): MLA Heading/Essay Format: Heading Info. (upper left hand side) includes: Full Name, Instructor, Class Title, Assignment Title, and Date Header (upper right hand side) includes pagination: Last Name on every page and page number Margins: one-inch side/top/bottom margins Centered title focused on the overall theme of the essay Font Type/Size: Times New Roman & no larger than 12 point font Spacing: double spaced through essay with no extra spacing between paragraphs Block quotation formatting for direct quotes over 3 or 4 lines (See example) MLA Works Cited Page: Title: Is the title centered and reads Works Cited? Is there MLA Works Cited citation information for each In-Text source used? Essentially does the quoted material correspond to the Works Cited page? Alphabetical Order: Are the Works Cited sources alphabetized? Hanging Indentations: Are there proper hanging indentations for each source? Are the main sources italicized, but articles/journals/essays in quotation marks? Are "Accessed dates" for websites and presentations included? Period: Is a period included at the end of each citation? Be sure to check the citation formatting against The Little Seagull Handbook. Introduction: Includes a “hook” or a couple of introductory lines to draw the reader into the topic. How does the writer draw the audience into the essay in a thought-provoking/interesting way? Includes an introduction to the speaker or the source material. Includes a clear thesis (arguable statement based on the TED Talk speaker's argument) AND at least general reasons for a sustainable-focused argument. To help with the thesis consider asking yourself: "What are three or four topics/themes/or solutions that the presenter is arguing? Writer does not include "I" statements in the introductory paragraph or thesis. First person narration may be utilized in the "Personal Evaluation" Paragraph. Writer stays general and keeps specific details (statistical information and specific evidence) out of the introduction. Contextual Paragraph (s): Grounds the reader with the topic to provide context. Ask: “What does my audience need to know FIRST before presenting the arguments and/or solutions?" A topic sentence is included to transition the reader into background information. Consider what type of contextual information you are offering your audience. Is it historical information to understand the topic? Is it definition or terminology? Are you setting the foundation of the problem or issue first before you offer the speaker's solutions? Are you offering information on the speaker's background (establishing ethos--credibility)? Will you be offering multiple contextual paragraphs to understand the topic? Perhaps one or two contextual paragraphs are needed in order to ground the reader in the overall theme/argument of the TED Talk. Body Paragraphs (average of 3-5 Body paragraphs) Includes clear topic sentences to begin each paragraph. Ask: “Do I stay focused in the paragraph from start to finish in the paragraph?” OR "Have I transitioned into a body paragraph with a clear focus sentence to help guide the reader?" Check to see if the three or four reasons presented in the thesis correspond directly to the overall topic sentences in the body paragraphs. This is essential to clear organization and flow of ideas. Important Note: You may have more than one body paragraph to explain/support EACH thesis reason. This is the same for the contextual paragraph. Sometimes it takes more than one paragraph to delve deeply into the corresponding reasons. Every paragraph includes "Signal Phrases" or transitions words/phrases: a logical and clear flow to the movement of thought from one point to the next. Integration of quotation includes a "sandwiching" of ideas: introduce author/source and presentation of evidence. Analysis: there is clear "interaction" or "dialogue" with evidence or examples Ask: “Where have I included evidence of this dialogue? Where is my voice and opinion concerning this topic?” It's important you expand and make connections for your reader audience after you introduce examples and/or direct quotation evidence. Synthesis/Connection: Writer draws connections back to thesis (the overall argument). Ask: “What connections can be made with the evidence back to the thesis?” Or “What inferences and conclusions are made at the close of each body paragraph?” Check for proper MLA In-Text citation information for each source that is introduced Objective Evaluation Paragraph(s): Essay includes an objective evaluation of the speaker's argument or how well the documentary addressed the theme/topic. At an appropriate point in the essay a shift should be made toward evaluation. One way in which to approach an "evaluation" of the speaker's argument is to examine it through the lens of Aristotle's "Three Appeals." Personal Evaluation Paragraph(s): The Writer includes a personal connection to the topic that can be utilized to add Pathos or evidence of a more personal nature. The "I" point of view/narration can be used in this instance. OR perhaps the writing includes a story or an example to help illustrate points made in the TED Talk. Be sure to use the first-person narrative sparingly. Also, try and eliminate second-person "you" reference in which you address the audience directly and move toward a more academic voice/tone/presentation. Concluding Paragraph (s): Includes a closing that reiterates theme and thesis (argument). Writer stays general and keeps specific details (statistical information and specific evidence) out of the conclusion. Includes writing/thoughts that brings the topic beyond the overall theme and offers reference to how the topic relates to a greater awareness of an issue either socially, environmentally, politically, economically, etc. Ask: “What greater meaning or connection can be made after analyzing and evaluating a speaker's presentation?” Grammar and Vocabulary: Proofread Essay #1 by reading the writing out loud. This only takes a few minutes, but it is an excellent way of catching mistakes when reading it out loud as opposed to in your mind. Even better--have someone else read your essay out loud and pause in areas where you would like to note places for improvement. This will also help you to hear if the essay flows well. Check for capitalization where needed. Include active and strong verb use! Check for appropriate and varying vocabulary Eliminate repetition https://www(dot)ted(dot)com/talks/alexis_krauss_the_transformative_power_of_nature_connection?language=en