ACADEMIC WRITING ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
This is individual work. Please ensure all content is in your own words.
DUE: Upload a copy of your essay and peer review to ESANVirtual by 23.00 hrs on Sunday 14th of November
2020.
This assignment is worth 60% of your course grade.
INSTRUCTIONS.
Using your selected research topic or idea, you are to write a 5-6 paragraph essay following the format we
examined in the course.
Once you have a draft essay, provide this to another member of the class so they may peer review it. Use their
review report to improve and complete your essay for submission. Submit the peer review you received as an
appendix to your essay. The peer review should be conducted following the rubric on page 3 and be given to you
not less than 48 hours before submission time.
Your essay is to be about your research topic and be argumentative in nature. You may choose to discuss your
central research idea, pose possible central research questions, identify a gap in research or about your research
topic or the relative strengths or weaknesses of current research approaches used for researching the topic or a
short critique of some aspect of the literature e.g. theoretical approaches or findings. You should write your
essay in the language you will produce your thesis
GUIDELINES
The word count for this essay is a maximum of 1500 words, double spaced in 11 pt Arial font, with your name
clearly placed on the top of the front page, along with the Assignment title, Date of submission and Word count.
E.g. Maria Papel, Academic Writing Essay, 14/11/2020, 1350 words
The essay will be marked for:





Thesis statement – a single coherent idea that is arguable (it must be a claim that you are able to argue
using references).
Evidence – drawn from your literature, you must provide sufficient evidence to prove your point and be
representative of the subject being discussed.
Explanation (Reasoning) – your essay must show why the claim can be sustained. You may compare and
contrast the literature, reveal differences of opinions or application of theory from your selected articles
or describe the situation and how different research approaches are suitable or not. Explanations should
link clearly to the evidence and make logical sense.
Organization – The essay must be organized overall and by paragraph. The essay should be constructed
to identify your claim, provide evidence sustain and conclude your argument. Paragraphs should be
organized around a single point and have evidence and/or examples to support the essay’s thesis.
Presentation –the essay should be free of mechanical errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation and follow
the format instructions e.g. font style, format, word length, etc.). All information presented that is not
common knowledge must be cited in-text and with a list bibliography at the end of the essay using the
APA citation style.
ASSESSMENT
The essay will be marked using the rubric contained on the next page.
1
Points
Earned
Rubric for Assessment of the Argumentative Essay
4
3
Well developed introductory
paragraph contains detailed
background information, a clear
explanation or definition of the
problem, and a thesis statement.
Introductory paragraph
contains some background
information and states the
problem, but does not explain
using details. States the
thesis of the paper.
Introduction states the thesis but
does not adequately explain the
background of the problem. The
problem is stated, but lacks detail.
Conclusion summarizes the main
topics without repeating previous
sentences; writer's opinions and
suggestions for change are
logical and well thought out.
Conclusion summarizes main
topics. Some suggestions for
change are evident.
Conclusion summarizes main topics,
but is repetitive. No suggestions for
change and/or opinions are included.
Conclusion does not
adequately summarize the
main points. No suggestions
for change or opinions are
included.
Three or more main points are
well developed with supporting
details. Refutation paragraph
acknowledges the opposing view,
and summarizes their main
points.
Three or more main points
are present but may lack
detail and development in
one or two. Refutation
paragraph acknowledges the
opposing view, but doesn't
summarize points.
Three or more main points, but all
lack development. Refutation
paragraph missing and/or vague.
Less than three main points,
with poor development of
ideas. Refutation missing or
vague.
All source material is used and
smoothly integrated into the
text. All sources are accurately
documented and in the desired
format on the Works Cited page.
All sources are relevant and
reliable.
All source material is used. All
sources are accurately
documented, but a few are
not in the desired format on
the Works Cited page.
Most sources are relevant and
reliable.
All sources are accurately
documented, but many are not in
the desired format on the Works
Cited page. Some sources are
relevant and reliable.
Lacks sources and/or
sources are not accurately
documented. Incorrect
format is used.
Sources are not relevant nor
reliable.
The writer uses some
informal language and slang.
Most sentences are complete,
accurate and clear; there is
an occasional use of "you" in
the essay, indicating a lack of
revision or control.
Some unclear or confused
sentences; the writer shifts person
throughout the essay or uses "you"
and "I" frequently.
Many unclear or incomplete
sentences.
Sentence Clarity
The writer treats the subject
seriously using formal language.
All sentences are complete,
accurate, and clear; the writer
controls the point of view
appropriately.
MECHANICS
Punctuation and capitalization
are correct.
Word count and style format are
correct.
Sentence structure is
generally correct. Some
awkward sentences do
appear. There are one or two
errors in punctuation and/or
capitalization and style
format
Work contains structural weaknesses
and grammatical errors. There are
three or four errors in punctuation
and/or capitalization, word count or
style format.
Work contains multiple
incorrect sentence
structures. There are four or
more errors in punctuation
and/or capitalization, word
count or style format.
INTRODUCTION
Background/History
Define the Problem
Thesis Statement
CONCLUSION
MAIN POINTS
Body Paragraphs
Refutation
USE OF SOURCES
Documentation
SENTENCE
PRECISION
Punctuation &
Capitalization, Word count
and style format
2
2
1
Thesis and/or problem is
vague or unclear.
Background details are a
seemingly random collection
of information, unclear, or
not related to the topic.
____
____
____
____
____
____
Peer Review Report:
Assessment for the peer review will be based on how you responded to the reviewer’s comments.
In the peer review report you write you should comment on your review essay’s thesis statement, the
essay’s organization, mechanical errors and overall flow and quality of argument. You should also make
suggestions on how the writer may improve their text.
Send the review to the writer at least 48 hours before the essay submission deadline. Failure to review
or provide late to the writer will result in a penalty to your overall grade for this assignment.
Give the reviewed essay a grade report following this guide:
Grade
0
Category
Unacceptable
1
Severe flaws, requiring major
revision
Noticeable flaws, requiring
significant revision
2
3
Minor flaws, requiring minor
but essential revisions
4
Outstanding.
Description
Has no thesis that relates to the assignment, no evidence, no coherent
organization, or so many mechanical errors as to make the essay unreadable.
A nearly absent thesis, almost no evidence, extremely disorganized, full of
grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
A thesis that is split between two different ideas, evidence that is often
irrelevant or insufficient, some paragraphs that are unfocused or out of
place, lots of mechanical errors.
Requiring slight revision to make it the best it can be. For example, a thesis
that is somewhat vague or unconvincing; evidence that is sometimes
insufficient, irrelevant, or unrepresentative; occasional tangents or
wandering; a few mechanical errors.
No flaws, or flaws that are so trivial that they do not detract from the essay
Additional Comments to the Author:
3