ENGL 152W Final Paper Prompt

 

For your final paper, you will write a thesis-driven comparative analysis paper on White Noise and Wall-e. In this paper, you will build on the skills you acquired in paper #2 (a comparative analysis) by incorporating secondary sources. In this essay you will make an argument concerning these texts that addresses ecological disaster/devastation and its relationship to consumption and/or capitalism. Even if you feel that these texts may contain similar “arguments,” be sure to consider how and why they are different.

Make sure your paper reflects your consideration of form. (This does not, however, need to appear in your thesis or topic sentences.) In your analysis of the novel, you should be attentive to language; in your analysis of the film, you should be attentive to images. (In other words, don’t just address the narratives themselves.)

Note: You will be provided with one secondary source on each text, which is all that you are required to use. You may, however, use additional sources; please just make sure you cite them.

Your paper should be 1350-1600 words (5-6 pages) written in Times New Roman 12 pt. font with 1” margins. You are required to upload an electronic copy of your essay in Blackboard by Monday, May 23^rd by 11:59 p.m.

 

You will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

*strength and effectiveness of the thesis statement (must go beyond stating that there are similarities and differences…)

 

*coherent and effective organization of ideas (within sentences, topic sentences, paragraphs, etc.)

 

* strong engagement with the texts and consideration of their formal elements

 

*substantiation of your argument with specific examples from the texts

 

* appropriate use of quotations—quotations are never to stand alone. They must be properly introduced, cited, and

explicated. Thus, a quotation should never be the last sentence of any paragraph.

 

*consideration of audience and context—this should be a formal, academic paper. No slang or clichés.

 

* effective incorporation of secondary sources

 

* proper use of MLA formatting (in-text citations and Works Cited page if using alternative editions or outside sources)

 

Don’t plagiarize! Plagiarism is the improper use of another’s thoughts, ideas, or words without proper citation. This includes copying from academic texts and assigned readings without quoting or citing the source, rewording ideas found on the internet without crediting the author, and having someone else write your paper for you. The Department’s policy on plagiarism states, “A student who has plagiarized will automatically fail the paper and possibly fail the class.” Please revisit the English Department’s handout on plagiarism for an extended definition of the offense. This handout is available as a PDF in Blackboard.

 

Timeline and Grade Breakdown:

5/9: Submit a detailed outline of your arguments concerning White Noise. This should include a thesis, topic sentence claims, specific examples/quotes with page numbers from the text, and notes regarding the significance of these quotes/examples. Upload a copy in Blackboard and bring a hard copy with you to class. (Completion credit: 10 pts to your hw grade; incomplete outlines will be given partial credit.)

5/16: Introduction and full outline is due. Please make sure you incorporate both texts and meet all the criteria listed above. (Must be posted to Blackboard by midnight for completion credit.)

5/18: Peer Review—first 4 pages of rough draft is due (Bring a hard copy to class and upload a copy in Blackboard. You will receive completion credit for your draft. 10 pts will also be awarded to everyone who participates fully in the peer review session.)

5/23: Paper #3 is due before midnight. (Worth 20% of final grade)

*Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for each day they are late.

**Requests for extensions must be made 24 hours (or more) in advance of the deadline.

 

A—paper (Excellent)

• paper contains an interesting, sophisticated, and nuanced thesis statement that fully responds to the paper prompt and demonstrates a high level of engagement with the texts
• the thesis statement is well substantiated throughout the paper; sufficient evidence has been provided to support the argument made
• effectively incorporates quotations from the text to demonstrate the paper’s argument (quotes are not too long; paper is not over-burdened with quotes; points from the texts are paraphrased when not critical to the paper’s argument); each quotation is introduced and fully discussed/explicated
• clear organization of ideas and paragraphs; strong, argument-driven topic sentences that address both texts; smooth and effective transitions; each paragraph adequately addresses both texts
• demonstrates how form and content are operating together in the texts
• effective incorporation of secondary sources; sources used to help substantiate the student’s argument
• paper uses proper formatting and in-text citations
• minimal grammatical errors

 

B—paper (Good)

• paper has a clear, relevant thesis statement, but the claim may be too broad or too obvious
• evidence is provided to support the argument, but more examples or further elaboration is needed
• good analysis of the texts, but some key points (in relation to the argument) are missing
• important quotes are used, but not always adequately explained; quotation usage might be excessive; quotes are generally, but not always, well integrated
• organization is generally effective; topic sentences address both texts, but may be too general; each paragraph, however, still addresses both texts
• an attempt to consider both form and content has been made, but could be improved
• secondary sources have been used, but may not help the student’s argument or may be used in place of the student’s argument
• an attempt made at uniform formatting and citation with the occasional error
• some grammatical and proofreading errors

 

C—paper (Satisfactory)

• thesis statement or the line of argumentation is too general, under-developed, or unclear
• paper may include more summary than analysis
• claims made by the paper are inaccurate, unclear, or underdeveloped
• there is some evidence to support the thesis statement, but not enough, or the evidence is not effectively argued as evidence
• quotations are used (possibly excessively), but their significance is not properly explained; or no quotations are used at all
• paper fails to adequately address either the appropriate form or content
• paper may incorporate the secondary sources, but not effectively; paper may be overwhelmed with those quotes
• paper may be poorly organized
• paper may not have reached the minimum page requirement
• consistent problems with grammar or proofreading

 

D—paper (Unsatisfactory)

• Paper has minimal analysis if there is any at all
• the thesis statement is erroneous or unsubstantiated
• if quotations are used, their significance is not properly explained; there may be more quotations than original thought in the paper
• insufficient treatment of the appropriate texts
• failure to fulfill major requirements of the assignment
• extensive grammatical, proofreading, and/or factual errors

 

F—paper (Not passing)

• Did not complete assignment or did not address the paper requirements; paper may be plagiarized

ENGL 152W Final Paper Prompt

 

For your final paper, you will write a thesis-driven comparative analysis paper on White Noise and Wall-e. In this paper, you will build on the skills you acquired in paper #2 (a comparative analysis) by incorporating secondary sources. In this essay you will make an argument concerning these texts that addresses ecological disaster/devastation and its relationship to consumption and/or capitalism. Even if you feel that these texts may contain similar “arguments,” be sure to consider how and why they are different.

Make sure your paper reflects your consideration of form. (This does not, however, need to appear in your thesis or topic sentences.) In your analysis of the novel, you should be attentive to language; in your analysis of the film, you should be attentive to images. (In other words, don’t just address the narratives themselves.)

Note: You will be provided with one secondary source on each text, which is all that you are required to use. You may, however, use additional sources; please just make sure you cite them.

Your paper should be 1350-1600 words (5-6 pages) written in Times New Roman 12 pt. font with 1” margins. You are required to upload an electronic copy of your essay in Blackboard by Monday, May 23^rd by 11:59 p.m.

 

You will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:

*strength and effectiveness of the thesis statement (must go beyond stating that there are similarities and differences…)

 

*coherent and effective organization of ideas (within sentences, topic sentences, paragraphs, etc.)

 

* strong engagement with the texts and consideration of their formal elements

 

*substantiation of your argument with specific examples from the texts

 

* appropriate use of quotations—quotations are never to stand alone. They must be properly introduced, cited, and

explicated. Thus, a quotation should never be the last sentence of any paragraph.

 

*consideration of audience and context—this should be a formal, academic paper. No slang or clichés.

 

* effective incorporation of secondary sources

 

* proper use of MLA formatting (in-text citations and Works Cited page if using alternative editions or outside sources)

 

Don’t plagiarize! Plagiarism is the improper use of another’s thoughts, ideas, or words without proper citation. This includes copying from academic texts and assigned readings without quoting or citing the source, rewording ideas found on the internet without crediting the author, and having someone else write your paper for you. The Department’s policy on plagiarism states, “A student who has plagiarized will automatically fail the paper and possibly fail the class.” Please revisit the English Department’s handout on plagiarism for an extended definition of the offense. This handout is available as a PDF in Blackboard.

 

Timeline and Grade Breakdown:

5/9: Submit a detailed outline of your arguments concerning White Noise. This should include a thesis, topic sentence claims, specific examples/quotes with page numbers from the text, and notes regarding the significance of these quotes/examples. Upload a copy in Blackboard and bring a hard copy with you to class. (Completion credit: 10 pts to your hw grade; incomplete outlines will be given partial credit.)

5/16: Introduction and full outline is due. Please make sure you incorporate both texts and meet all the criteria listed above. (Must be posted to Blackboard by midnight for completion credit.)

5/18: Peer Review—first 4 pages of rough draft is due (Bring a hard copy to class and upload a copy in Blackboard. You will receive completion credit for your draft. 10 pts will also be awarded to everyone who participates fully in the peer review session.)

5/23: Paper #3 is due before midnight. (Worth 20% of final grade)

*Late papers will be penalized one letter grade for each day they are late.

**Requests for extensions must be made 24 hours (or more) in advance of the deadline.

 

A—paper (Excellent)

• paper contains an interesting, sophisticated, and nuanced thesis statement that fully responds to the paper prompt and demonstrates a high level of engagement with the texts
• the thesis statement is well substantiated throughout the paper; sufficient evidence has been provided to support the argument made
• effectively incorporates quotations from the text to demonstrate the paper’s argument (quotes are not too long; paper is not over-burdened with quotes; points from the texts are paraphrased when not critical to the paper’s argument); each quotation is introduced and fully discussed/explicated
• clear organization of ideas and paragraphs; strong, argument-driven topic sentences that address both texts; smooth and effective transitions; each paragraph adequately addresses both texts
• demonstrates how form and content are operating together in the texts
• effective incorporation of secondary sources; sources used to help substantiate the student’s argument
• paper uses proper formatting and in-text citations
• minimal grammatical errors

 

B—paper (Good)

• paper has a clear, relevant thesis statement, but the claim may be too broad or too obvious
• evidence is provided to support the argument, but more examples or further elaboration is needed
• good analysis of the texts, but some key points (in relation to the argument) are missing
• important quotes are used, but not always adequately explained; quotation usage might be excessive; quotes are generally, but not always, well integrated
• organization is generally effective; topic sentences address both texts, but may be too general; each paragraph, however, still addresses both texts
• an attempt to consider both form and content has been made, but could be improved
• secondary sources have been used, but may not help the student’s argument or may be used in place of the student’s argument
• an attempt made at uniform formatting and citation with the occasional error
• some grammatical and proofreading errors

 

C—paper (Satisfactory)

• thesis statement or the line of argumentation is too general, under-developed, or unclear
• paper may include more summary than analysis
• claims made by the paper are inaccurate, unclear, or underdeveloped
• there is some evidence to support the thesis statement, but not enough, or the evidence is not effectively argued as evidence
• quotations are used (possibly excessively), but their significance is not properly explained; or no quotations are used at all
• paper fails to adequately address either the appropriate form or content
• paper may incorporate the secondary sources, but not effectively; paper may be overwhelmed with those quotes
• paper may be poorly organized
• paper may not have reached the minimum page requirement
• consistent problems with grammar or proofreading

 

D—paper (Unsatisfactory)

• Paper has minimal analysis if there is any at all
• the thesis statement is erroneous or unsubstantiated
• if quotations are used, their significance is not properly explained; there may be more quotations than original thought in the paper
• insufficient treatment of the appropriate texts
• failure to fulfill major requirements of the assignment
• extensive grammatical, proofreading, and/or factual errors

 

F—paper (Not passing)

• Did not complete assignment or did not address the paper requirements; paper may be plagiarized