ASSIGNMENT 1.<\/p>\n
For Touchstone 1, you will be writing two separate, distinct paragraphs. You will write one paragraph in the informative mode and one paragraph in the descriptive mode.
\nThe informative paragraph must be written in a non-biased tone and explain, teach, or inform. The descriptive paragraph must use sensory details to describe a person, place or object.
\nChoosing a Topic
\nFor the informative paragraph, be creative and\u00a0choose a topic that you already know something about. (You do not need to conduct any research for this paragraph.)\u00a0Be sure to write in an objective and non-biased manner with your intended audience and purpose in mind. You may write about any topic you wish that you know something about, however; below are some sample topics that may help you get started.
\nThe background, history, or rules of a particular game or sport
\nThe materials, tools, background or approach for a hobby you enjoy
\nThe action\/process for an activity such as driving, planting a garden, grilling a steak, etc.
\nThe history of a place that you know a lot about (a city, state, natural attraction, etc.)
\nA scientific process or concept that you are very familiar with
\nFor the descriptive paragraph, use sensory language and vivid details to describe a person, a place or a thing. Sensory details describe how something looks, sounds, feels, smells or tastes. You should use precise language to \u201cshow\u201d rather than \u201ctell\u201d about what you are describing.\u00a0 Be sure to write with your intended audience and purpose in mind.\u00a0What you write about is entirely\u00a0up to you as long as you use vivid details and sensory language to bring the description to life. However, below are some sample topics that may help you get started.
\nDescribe a room in your house
\nDescribe your favorite spot to spend time
\nDescribe a person who is special to you
\nDescribe a meal that you enjoy eating or cooking
\nDescribe a unique family tradition
\nParagraph Guidelines
\nRefer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until your paragraphs meet all guidelines.
\nParagraph Structure
\nDoes each paragraph include a topic sentence that depicts the controlling idea of the paragraph?
\nDoes each paragraph include supporting sentences that effectively support your topic sentence?
\nAre all sentences or details in the paragraph relevant to the topic sentence?
\nDoes each paragraph include a concluding sentence that gives closure to the paragraph?
\nParagraph Cohesion
\nIs the sequence of all sentences within each paragraph logical (topic sentence first, logical sequence of supporting sentences, concluding sentence last)?
\nAre transitions used effectively to connect ideas within the paragraph?
\nIs the paragraph easy to read?
\nSentence Structure
\nAre all sentences complete and correct?
\nAre there any run-on sentences? Have you used conjunctions and correct punctuation between independent clauses?
\nAre there any sentence fragments? Does each sentence have a subject and verb and express a complete thought?
\nDescriptive Paragraph
\nDoes the writing “show” the reader details rather than “telling” about them?
\nDoes the paragraph describe a person, place or object?
\nHave you touched on at least three of the senses in your use of sensory language?
\nInformative Paragraph
\nDoes the paragraph clearly inform the reader about a topic?
\nIs the paragraph based on information or facts rather than opinion?
\nIs the tone of the paragraph neutral and objective?
\nConventions
\nHave you checked your paragraph for grammatical errors?
\nHave you used Spell-Check or another method to check spelling?
\nHave you used punctuation correctly?
\nBefore you Submit
\nHave you underlined your topic sentence, one supporting sentence and your concluding sentence in each paragraph?
\nHave you clearly labeled each paragraph as either “Descriptive” or “Informative”?
\nHave you clearly identified the intended audience and purpose above each paragraph?
\nHave you included your name, date and course at the top left of the page?
\nIs each paragraph between 200-300 words?
\nReflection
\nHave you answered all of the reflection questions thoughtfully and thoroughly?
\nAre your answers to the reflection questions included on a separate page below your paragraphs?
\nHave you met or exceeded the required length for each reflection response?
\nReflection Questions
\nWhat do you think your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of sentence construction and paragraph development? (1-2 sentences)
\nExplain how writing for a particular purpose and audience shaped each of your paragraphs. (3-5 sentences)
\nDiscuss your feelings about writing in different modes. Is there a particular mode you enjoy writing in more than another? (3-5 sentences)
\nExplain how different writing modes that you have learned about might be applied to scenarios in your real life. (3-5 sentences)<\/p>\n
ASSIGNMENT TWO:
\nFor Touchstone 2 you will be writing an argumentative essay on a topic of your choice. The topic you choose must be debatable and you must take a clear stand on one side of the issue. Your topic must also be on a small enough scale that it is appropriately narrow for a 3-5 page essay. Your essay must include a title, an introductory paragraph, which contains your argumentative thesis statement, at least three body paragraphs, which provide support for your argument and a conclusion paragraph. Research from at least two outside sources is required to provide evidence and support for your argument. Research must be cited using APA style. You must include a reference page, which lists the specific sources you used and properly cite the sources within your essay. An example essay is provided below for reference. Please read this before writing your essay.
\nChoosing a Topic
\nYou may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides. The websites listed below can be used to help you generate a topic idea.\u00a0These websites are not valid academic sources for your paper; they can simply be helpful in choosing a topic. Additionally, not all topics on these websites will be appropriate for this assignment.\u00a0Your topic should be current and should have a narrow focus appropriate for a 3-5 page essay.
\nhttp:\/\/www.debate.org\/
\nhttp:\/\/www.procon.org\/
\nEssay Guidelines
\nRefer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until your essay meets all guidelines. \u00a0We also suggest reading the complete sample essay before you begin writing.
\nArgumentative Thesis Statement and Focus
\nDoes the topic of the argument have two clear sides?
\nDo you take a clear position on the argument in your thesis statement?
\nIs the topic appropriately narrow for a 3-5 page essay?
\nDevelopment and Support
\nAre all details relevant to the argumentative thesis statement?
\nIs your position supported through use of rhetorical appeals?
\nIs your position supported through evidence?
\nEssay Structure and Organization
\nDoes your essay have an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement?
\nDoes your essay have at least three body paragraphs, which support your thesis statement?
\nDoes your essay have a conclusion paragraph that wraps up the essay?
\nAre the essay paragraphs logically sequenced?
\nHave you used transitions to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs?
\nIs it easy to follow the argument?
\nStyle
\nHave you checked your essay for redundancies and imprecise language?
\nDoes your essay employ a formal style and objective tone?
\nSources and Citations
\nHave you referenced at least two outside sources as evidence for your argument?
\nAre your sources current and credible?
\nHave you properly cited the sources using APA style within your essay and included a reference page?
\nConventions
\nHave you checked your essay for grammatical errors?
\nHave you used Spell-Check or another method to check spelling?
\nHave you used punctuation correctly?
\nHave you checked your essay for\u00a0sentence run-ons and sentence fragments?
\nReflection
\nHave you answered all of the reflection questions thoughtfully and thoroughly?
\nAre your answers to the reflection questions included\u00a0on a separate page below your essay?
\nHave you met or exceeded the required length for each reflection response?
\nBefore You Submit
\nHave you given your essay a title?
\nHave you included your name, date, and course at the top left\u00a0of the page?
\nIs your essay between 3-5 pages (1,000-1,500 words)?
\nReflection Questions
\nHow did your purpose and audience shape the way in which you wrote your argument? (1-2 sentences)
\nWhat was the most difficult part of writing your argumentative essay? (2-3 sentences)
\nWhich appeals did you use and how do you think they strengthened your argument? (3-4 sentences)
\nHow has your understanding of argumentative writing changed after completing this unit? (2-3 sentences)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Essays Writing ASSIGNMENT 1. For Touchstone 1, you will be writing two separate, distinct paragraphs. You will write one paragraph in the informative mode and one paragraph in the descriptive mode. The informative paragraph must be written in a non-biased Read More …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-433072","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-essay-paper-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=433072"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433072\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}