Faculty of Science and General Studies
SCIENCE PROGRAM
English Comprehensive Assessement
(Épreuve synthèse de programme)
Stand-alone Assignment: Persuasive Research-based English Essay
Objectives
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To assess whether the student can follow a standard writing protocol; in this case, a formal college-level
persuasive essay using resource texts appropriate for college or university level studies.
To assess whether the student can write college-level persuasive paragraphs with correct summary,
paraphrase, and quotation from resource texts, and use correct MLA style documentation of source
information.
To assess whether the student can comply with the correct presentation of a formal essay.
To assess whether the student can produce error-free writing using clear and accurate, standard English.
To develop the student’s confidence as an essay writer.
To assess the student’s ability to use of the Vanier Library’s book resources and paper and online science
periodicals and magazines.
Topic
Should the current space exploration programs continue and be expanded and should they include an attempt to
colonize either the Moon or Mars? (Pure & Applied Topic 1)
Task
The student must write a formal college-level research-based persuasive essay of between 1000 and 2000 words
on the assigned topic. The essay must clearly focus on and respond to the assigned topic, and include sufficient
use of specific ideas and information from appropriate resource texts to support the student’s position on the
topic. The student must follow the instructions and protocol presented below.
Organization of Essay
The essay must be written in a formal college-level style and include standard organization. To this end it must
include,
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an introductory paragraph with a clear persuasive thesis which accurately and clearly responds to the
topic. The introduction must be appropriately developed and include lead-in sentences, a thesis
statement, and a statement of organization (or organizing principle) presenting the main ideas or
arguments which will be focused on in the body paragraphs.
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three or more main body paragraphs each of which focuses on one of the main ideas or arguments used
to support and develop the thesis and position on the topic. The paragraphs must each begin with a topic
sentence stating the paragraph’s main purpose or argument and must be followed by relevant
development, including supporting ideas, arguments and examples which clarify the position on the topic
and main arguments. Supporting ideas, arguments and examples must include appropriate summary,
paraphrase and quotations from resource texts on the topic. The student should make clear transitions
from one paragraph to the next in order to maintain a sense of unity.
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a concluding paragraph which reinforces the position on the topic, reiterates key main arguments, and
presents a clear closing statement.
Resource Texts:
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IMPORTANT
The student MUST make use of at least five (5) different print resource texts as sources of ideas,
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information and supporting details, examples and quotations for this essay.
Of the five sources, only two (2) may be websites. Moreover, these sites must be approved before the
student writes the essay.
The student should make use of the books and journals available in the Vanier Library and the periodical
databases of print publications available through the Vanier Library Article Databases.
Only English-language resource texts can be used in this essay.
Documentation and Format
IMPORTANT
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The essay format must follow the Vanier English Writing Guide guidelines or current MLA style
guidelines for correct presentation.
See the information and examples provided at
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/writing-guide/writing-guide.pdf,
the
Library
Style
Guide
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/litc/styleguides.html, and Concordia University’s MLA guidelines
http://library.concordia.ca/help/howto/mla.php.
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The essay must include correct MLA documentation or resources text ideas, information and quotations.
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Any summary, paraphrase or quotation from a resource text must be documented in the student’s
paragraphs using correct MLA format in-text citations.
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All publication information for resource texts used must be correctly presented in MLA format Works
Cited entries at the end of the essay.
AUDIENCE
The student is writing for a general, educated reader. The student should assume the reader is a college instructor
and students with some understanding of the subject, but not experts in the area.
PROCESS
1. Conduct research and find resource texts, prepare an outline for your essay and works cited bibliography
of sources.
2. Submit a hard copy and a digital (by MIO or email) of your outline and works cited page for review and
approval. Important: do not proceed to write the essay until the outline and works cited have been
approved.
3. Draft and write the essay.
4. Submit the final copy of the essay with copies of key pages of the resource texts used in the essay. The
essay must be submitted in Microsoft Word format. Both a printed copy and an email copy of the essay
as a Word attachment must be submitted. The approved outline and original works cited page must also
be re-submitted with the paper copy.
NOTE:
This essay may be reviewed for plagiarism using the Turnitin.com Plagiarism Detection System.
Marking Criteria
You will be graded according to the following criteria:
Content
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The essay follows instructions and essay focus, thesis, main arguments and ideas and supporting details
clearly present and support the student’s position on the topic.
Important ideas and information from resource texts are presented accurately, clearly and correctly.
Important examples and/or quotations are provided from a variety of the resource texts with clear
contexts.
Examples and quotations are integrated clearly and correctly into the writer’s own sentences.
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Correct MLA style in-text citations are included for all summary, paraphrase and quotation from resource
texts, and the publication information for resource texts is correctly presented in MLA format in the
Works Cited bibliography.
Each paragraph has a well developed and appropriate argument relating to the position on the topic.
Organization
 A clear thesis, provided at the beginning of the essay, expresses the position on the paper’s topic.
 The introductory and concluding paragraphs are well developed and structured.
 The main body paragraphs are ordered in a logical manner.
 Each paragraph is well-structured with a topic sentence, supporting ideas and details, and a concluding
sentence.
Written Expression
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The essay demonstrates correct use of grammar, clear and accurate vocabulary and word choice, clear
and varied sentence construction, and correct use of spelling, punctuation and capitalization.
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