Then, write an essay in which you discuss Douglass' and Jacobs' lives as slaves and Lincoln's and Stowe's influences in bringing the institution of
... [Show More] slavery to an end. Use examples from their own writing and support from research to back up your points. Use appropriate literary, political, and cultural terminology in your writing.
Directions:
Write a 5-7 page researched critical essay on ONE of the given topic choices.
Content and Organization: Follow classic essay structure with an introduction that includes:
an introduction with a strong thesis,
body paragraphs that back up and explain the thesis,
and the conclusion which sums up the discussion and ends with a closing idea.
The body paragraphs should include quotes, paraphrases, and/or summaries from the author's works that were covered in class as well as CPCC database sources to back up/explain/support the thesis.
Research : Use 4-6 sources.
Use the textbook as one source.
Use at least two sources from the CPCC online databases.
Click here to access the CPCC library's English Literature Database Guide.
Citations:
Use MLA 8 in-text citations and Works Cited format.
Gramer:
Use correct grammar and mechanics including capitalization and punctuation.
style:
Use third person point of view (he, she, they, some, many, etc.)
do not use first person (I, me, we) or second person (you, your) point of view pronouns.
Avoid contractions (this means use "do not" instead of "don't" and "can not" instead of can't.
tone:
Use an objective, formal tone.
Do not use a conversational tone.
This is a formal, academic essay for your 200 level college English class. Your tone should reflect this.
Grading:
This assignment counts as your final exam and is worth 35% of your course grade.
It will be graded using a graded rubric for content, clarity, organization, citations, research, grammar, style, and tone.
Criteria Lacking
F 0-59% Below Average
D 60-69% Meets Expectations
B or C 70 – 89% Excellent
A 90 – 100%
Content Knowledge
25.00% The critical essay (1) lacks a thesis (2) content is inadequate (3) is fewer than 1,200 words in length; and/or (4) lacks literary, cultural, and historical terminology. (5) Lacks clear content knowledge. (6) Assignment was not followed as it was given. and/or (7) Demonstrates little comprehension of topic through writing. The critical essay (1) develops a weak thesis (2) with inadequate, content; (3) is fewer than 1,200 words in length; and/or (4) uses negligible literary, cultural, and historical terminology. Does not demonstrate an acceptable level of content knowledge. The critical essay (1) develops an adequate thesis (2) with sound content; (3) is a minimum of 1,200 words in length; and/or 4) uses some literary, cultural, and historical terminology appropriately. Demonstrates an adequate level of content knowledge. The critical essay (1) develops a finely constructed thesis (2) with substantive content; (3) exceeds the minimum of 1,200 words in length; and/or (4) uses appropriate literary, cultural, and historical terminology. (5) Demonstrates an authoritative level of content knowledge.
Critical Thinking, Support, and Argumentation
30.00% The critical essay: (1)lacks synthesis of ideas. (2)Does not analyze multiple viewpoints. (3) Thesis is not supported. (4) Demonstrates little critical-thinking. (5) Organization of paper is unclear. (6) Topic is not developed or support is difficult to follow. (7) Background information is missing or incomplete. and/or (8) Analysis is incomplete. The critical essay does not effectively synthesize and analyze multiple viewpoints. The argument inadequately supports the thesis and is not convincing. Demonstrates little critical-thinking. Support of topic is weak. Organization of paper is unclear. Inadequate introduction and/or conclusion. The critical essay synthesizes and analyzes an acceptable number of viewpoints to build an argument that adequately supports the thesis. Demonstrates an average level of critical thinking. Support of topic is sufficiently thorough and well-organized in body of paper with satisfactory introduction and conclusion. The critical essay synthesizes and analyzes multiple viewpoints to build a convincing argument that supports the thesis. Demonstrates clear, insightful, relevant, and masterful critical thinking. Support of topic is thorough and well-organized in body of paper with strong, engaging introduction and conclusion.
Grammar, Mechanics, and Clarity
15.00% Unable to write simple sentences. Numerous errors in punctuation, spelling and capitalization. Obviously not proofread. Informal/ inappropriate tone is used. Obvious errors in point of view. So many errors it distracts the reader. The critical essay (1) follows few rules of grammar, mechanics, and clarity. (2) has many badly constructed, inadequate sentences; (3) transitions poorly within and between paragraphs; and/or (4) has a weak, inappropriate tone. The critical essay (1) follows some rules of grammar, mechanics, and clarity. The essay (2) has coherent, somewhat varied sentences; (3) transitions fairly well within and between paragraphs; and/or (4) has an acceptable tone. The critical essay (1) follows most rules of grammar, mechanics, and clarity. The essay (2) has well-constructed, strong, varied sentences; (3) transitions well within and between paragraphs; and/or (4) has an appropriate tone.
MLA Format
And Citations
15.00% MLA essay format is not used.
Missing in-text citations or full citations on the Works Cited page. OR uses incorrect citation style. MLA essay format is attempted but contains many errors. Incorrect MLA in-text citations and/or Works Cited page. May use sources without citing them. Quotations and paraphrases are too long or incorrectly referenced. Mostly correct MLA Essay format.
Mostly correct MLA in-text citations and Works Cited page. Source material is integrated into the text but at times may be awkward. Correct MLA Essay format.
Correct in-text citations and Works Cited page. Source material is smoothly integrated into the text.
Sources
15.00% Lack of sources and/or no effort in researching sources. Insufficient or unreliable sources. Too little source material is used to back up/support the writer’s ideas. OR relies too heavily on sources. Sources are used as a substitute for the writers’ own development of ideas. Uses primary sources and 2 relevant, credible secondary sources from the CPCC Library databases. Sources are used as support but not as a substitute of the writer's own development of ideas. Sources are mostly scholarly, varied and show good overview of the topic. Doesn't overuse quotes. Effectively uses primary and secondary sources. Uses 2 or more secondary sources from the CPCC Library databases. Sources are scholarly and offer facts and varying opinions that show an in-depth study about the topic. Sources are used as support but not as a substitute of the writer's own ideas. [Show Less]