Instructions ENGL 1010 Final Assessment Essay During the final exam period this semester, our ENGL

1010 students will be writing an essay which will allow us to assess their ability to make a claim and effectively argue their position. As you discuss the reading and prompt with your students, please remember that this is not a rhetorical analysis; its an argumentative essay. Students need to be encouraged to take a stand on the issue and present a clear, cogent, and conclusive argument. Their positions will need to be supported with direct textual references to both the primary text and ONE outside source. Three outside sources are included with the primary text; we strongly encourage you to use one of these three texts in order to maintain a level of consistency in data collection. A correctly formatted MLA Works Cited page, featuring both texts, may be done prior to the exam period. All in-text references must be incorporated smoothly, effectively, and correctly. This assessment depends on each ENGL 1010 instructor having taught the following at some point in the semester: Persuasive ways to use evidence as support Audience awareness Proper use of parenthetical citations Effective incorporation of outside sources Work Cited format for a variety of source types On or before the final day of class, please distribute and discuss the Final Essay assignment with your students. At least one class period should be dedicated to discussing not only the primary text for content but also the various positions/claims that can be made about the texts argument. Instructors are encouraged to include the provided outside sources in their discussion period. If possible, use an additional period to have students practice making their own claim and supporting it with primary references and direct references to their outside source(s). Please collect all practice in-class writings so that students are not tempted to write their exam out of class. Students must be made aware that this essay assesses their argumentative writing ability and not their ability to read rhetorically. Students may come to the exam period with copies of the sources and the prompt which includes a topic outline, but they may not arrive with pre-written sentences. The exam may be given using pen and paper, or it may be given on a computer. When students have completed their final exam and before you grade them, randomly choose 25% of the final essays, copy them, and send them to the English Department, Hardin Valley Campus. Please do this no later than the last day of exams: Thursday, 15 December 2011. Please note the attached rubric, which has been adjusted as per TBR assessment guidelines to address five specific Learning Outcomes for ENGL 1010. The department will use this rubric to score the random essays you select and send in from your class, designating them as Unsatisfactory or Satisfactory according to our desired outcomes for ENGL 1010. Please take this rubric into account when grading each essay. This final exam should make up a percentage of the students final grade; however, it is up to the individual instructor to determine that percentage.

ENGL 1010 Final Essay Writing Prompt In his 1954 essay, An Ideal to Service to Our Fellow Man, Albert Einstein claims I see the nature of the current crises in the juxtaposition of the individual to society. The individual feels more than ever dependent on society, but he feels this dependence not in the positive sense cradled, connected as part of an organic. He sees it as a threat to his natural rights and even his economic existence. His position in society, then, is such that that which drives his ego is encouraged and developed, and that which would drive him toward other men (a weak impulse to begin with) is left to atrophy (2). In essence, Einstein argues that mankind (in the 1950s) showed signs of moving away from a communal focus, shifting toward a more self-centered one. Using Einsteins text and one other reputable outside source as support, write an essay in which you answer the following question: Does mankind today place more value on community or on the self?

You are responsible for choosing a position, determining logical reasons for choosing that position, and presenting appropriate evidence to support your decision. Choose your position and write an argumentative essay that defends and supports that position. Be sure to use direct textual references to Einsteins article as well as one outside source. These may be either paraphrases or quotes. Correctly formatted in-text citations are required for both.

Guidelines: The essay should be between 750-1000 words. The essay must include a strong, identifiable, and argumentative thesis statement which effectively states your position and gives an idea of the evidence you will use to support that position. The essay must include direct textual references to both Einsteins text and one other outside source. In-text citations must be correct and follow 2009 MLA format. The essay must include solid analysis and logical evidence as it attempts to persuade a reader. The essay should be unified, and the argument should progress smoothly and logically. The essay must have clear organization, fully developed evidence, and an overtly stated position.

Suggested outline:
Introduction: should call attention to the issue as a whole. Consider the following: o Give a BRIEF overview of the conflict between community and selfishness. What is the background of the conflict? Why is it an issue at all? Use brief summaries of either or both articles to provide context for your discussion. You might also identify the most important features of the issue. Whos affected? Why? How? Thesis: What is your position and what support for it can you offer? Your thesis statement should express an argument like, The continued existence and success of ______, _________, and __________ illustrate that mankind values actions of communal behavior over individual interests because ______________. OR The ____________, ____________, and ________ found in contemporary culture prove that mankind privileges personal interests over those of the community.

o o

Body Paragraphs 2-4: Present and support your position. Be sure to use the evidence youve gathered. In other words, prove your thesis. o o o Each point of evidence requires a separate paragraph. Secondary sources need to be used in these paragraphs. Remember to acknowledge and address any oppositional viewpoints. How does the opposing side feel about the issue? How can you refute their claims? This step is designed to reiterate the strength of your own evidence discussed and described within the argument.

Conclusion: Reinforce, but do not restate your thesis. Conclude by explaining why your position matters. How and why is this issue important? What do you want a reader to have learned by reading your essay, or what do you want a reader to do as a result of reading it?

ENGL 1010 Final Essay Scoring Rubric Note: This rubric depicts the criteria by which the department will rate the random essays forwarded by each ENGL 1010 instructor. Instructors may use this same rubric for their own scoring purposes if they choose. Learning Outcomes Unity: Essay has clearly stated or clearly implied thesis, and entire essay supports thesis. Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactory: Essay fails to state a thesis, is unfocused, and contains irrelevant sentences and/or paragraphs. Satisfactory Satisfactory: Essay states a clear, arguable thesis, includes no paragraphs or sentences that do not directly relate to the argument. Satisfactory: Essay demonstrates sophisticated development within paragraphs and overall through sufficient use of evidence and quality examples. Satisfactory: Essay has identifiable organizational principle and logical transitions within and between paragraphs. Satisfactory: Essay may have occasional errors, but exhibits no pattern of error.

Development: Essay thoroughly addresses topic within individual paragraphs that contain sufficient evidence and quality examples.

Unsatisfactory: Essay is general, lacks sufficient details and/or does not contain quality examples.

Organization: Essay has clear progression of paragraphs and coherence.

Unsatisfactory: Essay has little or no apparent organizational principle, lacks appropriate transition.

Style & Mechanics: Essay demonstrates no pattern of error in diction, syntax, grammar, or mechanics.

Unsatisfactory: Essay is characterized by frequent imprecise word choice & sentence structure and/or by a pattern of major grammatical errors (CS, FS, frag., agr.). Unsatisfactory: Essay does not use correct citation format and/or does not use appropriately contextualized source material in support of thesis.

Use of Multiple Sources: Essay makes appropriate use of multiple sources in support of thesis.

Satisfactory: Essay makes effective use of outside sources and citation format.