Composition I, Johnson Iowa Lakes Community College Research Essay Objective To create a highly polished and well-researched essay about one of the following topics: 1. The impact of a 20th or 21st-century event on the life of a person you know 2. A social, cultural, or historical topic raised in one of our textbooks: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: The Journey of Doaa Al Zamel Assignment In their book, Tell It Slant, authors Miller and Paola begin their chapter on using research with a quote from author Philip Gerard: “Facts in all their glorious complexity make possible creativity. The best nonfiction writers are first-rate reporters, reliable eyewitnesses focused on the world, not themselves, and relentless researchers with the imagination to understand the implications of their discoveries” (71). Your task is to take on the role of a “relentless researcher,” blending quotes from primary sources and research from secondary sources into a clear and compelling insight into the importance of your subject matter. Grading Specifics Content: The essay focuses on one of the topics identified above. The thesis sentence clearly states your subject, opinion, and topics. Organization/Clarity: The thesis sentence appears at the end of the introduction paragraph. Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that introduces the major idea of the paragraph. Each paragraph focuses on developing one major idea. Each paragraph is more than 3 lines but less than ¾ of a page long. Completeness: Short and long quotations and paraphrases are used in every paragraph to develop the major idea. Each quotation appears with a lead-in and commentary. The essay is 5 to 7 pages long, not including the Works Cited/References page. Grammar/Mechanics: Sentences are complete, clear, and easy to read. The structure shows a good understanding of how to use punctuation, capitalization, and parallelism. Language Use/Tone: The third-person narrative perspective (he/she, it, they) is used consistently. The present and past tenses are used appropriately. The focus is on clear language, with creative language used carefully when appropriate. Documentation: At least five reliable research sources are used, including one primary source. In-text and full citations are done correctly in MLA or APA style, with the full citations appearing on a correctly formatted Works Cited or Reference page. Delivery o 1” margins on all sides o Typed in 10 – 12 point Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial font o Double-spaced throughout o Your first and last name, course name, and due date in the upper left corner o Title centered and with title capitalization Grading Scale A+ (100%) 28 A (95%) 27 A(92%) 26 B+ (88%) 25 B (85%) 24 to 23 B(82%) 22 to 21 C+ (78%) 20 to 19 C (75%) 18 to 17 C-/D+ (68%) 16 to 15 D (65%) 14 to 13 F (55%) 12 or less Criteria A B C D Content Organization / Clarity Completeness Accomplished 4 Topic is tightly focused and relevant; contains accurate information with no factual errors. Ideas are presented in logical order with effective transitions between major ideas; clear and concise presentation; appropriate introduction, body, and conclusion. Provides good depth and detail; ideas well developed; facts have adequate background; presented within specified length. Proficient 3 Topic is adequately focused and relevant; major facts are accurate and generally complete. Developing 2 Beginning 1 Topic would benefit from more focus; contains some factual errors or omissions. Topic lacks relevance or focus; contains multiple factual errors. Most ideas are in logical order with adequate transitions between most major ideas; generally clear and understandable. Some ideas not presented in proper order; transitions are needed between some ideas; some parts may be wordy or unclear. Ideas are not presented in proper order; transition is lacking between major ideas; several parts are wordy or unclear. Provides accurate depth; few needed details are omitted; major ideas adequately developed; presented within specified length. Contains no serious grammatical errors; sentences are mostly jargon-free, complete, and understandable. Additional depth needed in places; important information omitted or not fully developed; too short or too long. May contain some grammatical or mechanical errors; sentences may contain jargon; sentences may be too long and/or hard to follow. Grammar / Mechanics Contains no grammatical errors; sentences are free of jargon, complete, and easy to understand. Language Use / Tone Third-person perspective and verb tenses are consistent. Many vocabulary words are used correctly and well. Important terms are clearly defined. Third-person perspective and verb tenses are consistent. A few vocabulary words are used correctly and well. Important terms are defined fairly well. Third-person perspective and verb tenses are mostly consistent. Few vocabulary words are used. Some important terms are not defined clearly or accurately. Effective message support provided in the form of facts and visual aids; sourcing is current and supports major ideas. Professional appearance; supporting documents used effectively. Adequate message support provided for key concepts by facts and visual aids; sourcing is generally adequate and current. Professional appearance; supporting documents used adequately. Some message support provided by facts and visual aids; sourcing may be outdated or thin; visual aids need work. Adequate appearance; supporting documents could be improved. E Documentation F Delivery Does not provide adequate depth; key details are omitted or undeveloped; too short or too long. Contains several major errors in grammar/mechanics; sentences are long, incomplete, and/or contain excessive jargon. Third-person perspective and verb tenses show inconsistency. Very few or no vocabulary words are used, or they are used incorrectly. Important terms are not defined. Little or no message support provided for major ideas; visual aids are missing or inadequate; little or no sourcing provided. Unprofessional appearance; supporting documents poorly used.
