Argumentative Essay
In your final essay, you will address one of the following questions, asserting a thesis that you will support with analysis of evidence from course texts and independent research.
- Zadie Smith’s essay addresses the film The Social Network, which came out in 2010. What has changed and what remains the same? How would you update her critique of Facebook and social media now?
- What impact does technology have on personal relationships in Smith’s essay and/or Sherman Alexie's poem? What would you change about the relationship between technology and personal relationships as Smith and/or Alexie see it, or as it is now?
- What do we learn about education from Smith's or Caryl Phillips's essays, or both texts?
Your essay must be at least 750 words.
You will need to select a narrow focus so that you can present a compelling argument that you will support with analysis of quotations from Smith's or Phillips's essays or Alexie's poem and quotations or points from primary and secondary sources you have located. Primary sources include poems, stories, photographs, or interviews. Secondary sources include newspaper or journal articles. At least two of your sources must be peer-reviewed journal articles. You must use parenthetical citations in your essay to acknowledge ideas from sources as you refer to them. Use the templates for incorporating and analyzing quotations in They Say/I Say. You can search the NYIT library's website and their databases for journal articles. You are also encouraged to use the articles in the Argumentative Essay Module on Canvas. To access further resources, you can join and search the databases at the New York Public Library.
Topics you might investigate as you begin your research include: social media, issues in and research addressing STEM and STEAM education, and research regarding "the college experience." You are also welcome to analyze the film The Social Network in relation to Smith's essay.
The rough and final drafts of your essays must be typed in 12-point, Times New Roman font, and demonstrate correct use of MLA style. You must include a list of works cited and cite all images you have used and sources you have consulted, including web pages.
Assessment Rubric
Your essay will be assessed using the following criteria:
Exceptional. A thought-provoking essay, clearly written and carefully argued, demonstrating creativity and thorough engagement with texts.
- The essay supports a focused thesis, considering its implications.
- The essay demonstrates careful reading of texts and interpretation of evidence, including peer-reviewed journal articles. Quotations are analyzed and incorporated effectively, functioning as a part of sentences.
- Topic sentences support the thesis and state what each paragraph argues.
- The essay demonstrates creativity in its approach to the topic.
- Sentences throughout demonstrate skillful, engaging use of language.
- The essay's title draws in readers, introducing them to the essay's argument.
- The conclusion draws the argument to a close, makes a connection to a new context, and suggests directions for future research.
- The essay demonstrates correct use of grammar, punctuation, and MLA style for in-text citations and works cited entries.
Strong. Essay contains a thesis, supported by analysis of quotations and examples.
- The implications of the thesis could be considered further.
- The organization of ideas could be stronger.
- The quotations could be more fully analyzed.
- The conclusion could consider further future directions for research.
- The topic sentences could more effectively address what each paragraph argues.
- The essay could demonstrate further revision and proofreading, including demonstration of MLA style for in-text citations and works cited entries.
Satisfactory. The essay is reasonably focused, and explanations or analysis are mostly based on examples or other evidence. Fewer connections are made between ideas, and though new insights are offered, they are not fully developed. The essay reflects moderate engagement with the topic. It contains errors in use of grammar, punctuation, or MLA style (and list of works cited).
Underdeveloped. The essay is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. The post reflects passing engagement with the topic. It contains many errors in use of grammar, punctuation, or MLA style.
Limited. The essay is unfocused, or simply rehashes previous comments, and displays no evidence of student engagement with the topic.
No Credit. The essay is missing or consists of disconnected sentences. It demonstrates plagiarism: presenting others' ideas as your own, pasting content from sources (including websites), or drawing on such content without citing it.
Adapted from https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/a-rubric-for-evaluating-student-blogs/27196