A. Assignment Guidelines
DIRECTIONS: Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.
1. Argumentative Thesis Statement
- ❒ Have you included a thesis in your introduction includes a clear, arguable stance and supporting reasons?
2. Argument Development
- ❒ Are all of the details relevant to the purpose of your essay?
- ❒ Is the argument supported using persuasive rhetorical appeals and source material (i.e., direct quotations, paraphrasing, and summary)?
- ❒ Is your essay 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words, not including your references or reflection question responses)? If not, which details do you need to add or remove?
- ❒ Does the essay consist of at least seven paragraphs – an introduction, five body paragraphs (with at least one for the counterarguments and rebuttals), and a conclusion? Are the body paragraphs ordered logically to strengthen the argument?
- ❒ Do your topic sentences make original and supportable points? Do your topic sentences directly support your thesis statement?
3. Research
- ❒ Have you introduced, contextualized, and cited outside sources effectively using quotation, summary, and paraphrase techniques?
- ❒ Are the sources incorporated smoothly, providing the reader with signal phrases and context for the source information?
- ❒ Have you referenced a range of at least 7 credible sources, and does each source have at least one in-text citation in the essay?
- ❒ Have you properly cited your sources according to APA style guidelines?
- ❒ Have you included an APA style reference page below your essay?
4. Reflection
- ❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?
- ❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?
B. Reflection
DIRECTIONS: Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.
- Provide one example of a place where you have used rhetorical appeals or source material to support your argument. How does this enhance your essay? (2-3 sentences)
- Touchstone 4 is a revision of this draft. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you as you revise? Are there parts of your draft that you’re uncertain of? (3-4 sentences)
D. Requirements
The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:
- Composition must be 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words, not including your references or reflection question responses).
- Double-space the composition and use one-inch margins.
- Use a readable 12-point font.
- All writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
- Composition must be original and written for this assignment.
- Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
- Submission must include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your composition.
- Include all of the assignment components in a single file.
- Acceptable file formats include .doc and .docx.
- Your annotated bibliography must be graded before your research essay draft will be accepted.