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?