Expository Essay Prompt
An expository essay gives information about a topic to the reader in a manner that is well-researched and clearly organized. Some expositions involve comparing and contrasting differences within a given topic of interest. In a 600 to 800-word essay, research and write an informative/expository essay in response to one of the following questions:
1. How has the decline in the honeybee population affected farmers in the United States?
2. How do ‘hybrid’ cars (ones that use both gasoline and electricity) differ from traditional (gasoline-only) cars?
Formatting & Sources
Please write your paper in the APA format. The essay should have an introduction, at least two supporting paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion. You will need to conduct basic research outside of the resources on Study.com, finding at least three sources that pertain to your topic. Please keep in mind to avoid sites that do not seem legitimate, i.e. Wikipedia, and to look for .gov or .edu sites for credible sources. Be sure to include a bibliography in APA style that credits the sources you used in your essay. This includes any Study.com lessons you used as sources (including the lesson title and instructor’s name). If you’re unsure about how to use APA format to cite your sources, please see the following lessons:
· What is APA Format? Definition & Style
· How To Format APA Citations.
Your essay will be graded based on the following rubric:
|
Category |
Unacceptable (0-1) |
Needs Improvement (2-3) |
Good (4) |
Excellent (5) |
Total Possible Points |
|
Purpose |
Main points are nonexistent or irrelevant to overall purpose |
Main points are difficult to identify or under-developed |
Main points are clearly related to overall purpose |
Main points are developed and well-supported, connecting clearly to overall purpose |
5 |
|
Structure and Organization |
Disorganized and illogical structure hinders understanding |
Somewhat disorganized, but structure does not detract from understanding of main points |
Structure is logical; main points are supported by organization; introduction and conclusion are included |
Organization is logical; structure enhances clarity and delivery of main ideas; introduction and conclusion are connected well to supporting content |
5 |
|
Clarity |
Vague or unclear writing; reader is left with several unanswered questions |
Writing is ambiguous in a few areas; overall content is either not fully explained, or is too wordy for the content included |
Phrasing and word choice are mostly effective; explanations and descriptions are thorough without being wordy |
Syntax is very clear and concise. All supporting explanations and descriptions are precise, thorough, and efficient |
5 |
|
Mechanics |
Incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and use of standard English grammar hinders understanding |
Several instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
Few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
No or very few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
5 |
|
Research |
Fewer than three sources are cited, or all citations are from Study.com only |
At least three citations are included, but are not from legitimate/objective sources of information (i.e. Wikipedia) |
Citations are included from legitimate sources, but are not entirely appropriate and/or well-integrated with the overall content of the essay |
Citations are included from legitimate sources that are both appropriate to the topic and well-integrated within the overall content of the essay |
5 |
Before You Submit
When you are done writing your essay, we suggest taking some time to check for any errors or to add some final touches. We also suggest that you use online plagiarism checkers such as PlagScan or DupliChecker to make sure that your paper is not too similar to any existing materials. Plagiarized submissions will NOT be graded
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Narrative Essay Prompt
A personal narrative essay relates experiences from your own life using storytelling techniques to draw the reader into a personal event or incident. In 600-800 words, write a narrative essay in response to one of the two following topics:
1. Think back in your life to something you did or said that makes you proud. Describe the event, what you did or said, and how your decision impacted your life.
2. Think back to an experience that had a significant effect on your life. Describe the experience, why it was so impactful, and how your life is different today because of it.
Your personal narrative essay should have a sequential organization that tells your story linearly from beginning to end. It should provide details about the events surrounding the topic, as well as descriptions of the setting, the people involved, and/or your personal thoughts about what was happening at the time. Rather than requiring research, this assignment requires attention to detail and description as a major component of the final grade. Review this lesson to help guide the format and organization of your narrative essay.
Please write your essay in APA format.
Grading Rubric
Your essay will be graded based on the following rubric:
|
Category |
Unacceptable (0-1) |
Needs Improvement (2-3) |
Good (4) |
Excellent (5) |
Total Possible Points |
|
Purpose of narrative |
The events chosen are not related to the topic provided and show no clear connection to each other |
The events chosen are minimally related to the topic provided and/or are not developed sufficiently |
The events chosen are related to the topic provided, are clearly connected to each other, but require further development and/or elaboration |
The events chosen are explicitly related to the topic provided, and are clearly connected to each other in their sequence as well as their importance |
5 |
|
Structure and Organization |
Disorganized, illogical and/or non-sequential narrative that confuses the reader and makes the topic feel insignificant |
Lacks firm organization and/or logic, but is coherent enough that the reader can discern the overall sequence of events; little understanding of how the sequence of events contributes to their significance |
Well-organized and logical, coherent sequencing of events, adjustments in the placement of events may be needed in order to enhance the reader’s understanding of the significance of the events described |
Well-organized and logical, coherent sequencing of events that contributes to the reader’s understanding of the significance of the events being narrated |
5 |
|
Clarity |
Vague or unclear writing; reader cannot understand the personal significance of the narrative |
Writing is ambiguous in a few areas; overall content contains muddy and vague descriptions that are inadequate to the topic chosen |
Phrasing and word choice are mostly effective; overall content is descriptive, but may need refinement in length, precision, and/or accuracy |
Syntax is very clear and concise; descriptions are vivid, precise, and accurate without being florid or wordy |
5 |
|
Mechanics |
Incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and use of standard English grammar hinders understanding |
Several instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
Few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
No or very few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
5 |
|
Detail and Description |
Minimal description and detail provided; reader not engaged, writing shows no demonstration of an understanding of the significance of including detail and description |
Description and detail are present, but not strategic; reader may not fully understand the importance and significance of the detail provided as it relates to the overall narrative |
Appropriate description and detail are included; significance of the details provided are clear to the reader, but more work needs to be done to engage the reader’s interests and emotions through word and image |
Description and detail are vivid and precise, targeting the reader’s emotional and intellectual response; narrative techniques employed increase the reader’s understanding of the significance of the event described |
5 |
Before You Submit
When you are done writing your essay, we suggest taking some time to check for any errors or to add some final touches. We also suggest that you use online plagiarism checkers such as PlagScan or DupliChecker to make sure that your paper is not too similar to any existing materials. Plagiarized submissions will NOT be graded
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About this Assignment
Throughout this course, you’ve learned how to prepare and plan an argumentative essay, research and use credible sources to support your point of view, and construct an essay that communicates a meaningful, coherent argument with compelling evidence. In a 1,000-1,200-word essay, research and write an argumentative essay in response to one of the following prompts.
Your essay should have an introduction, at least two supporting paragraphs with topic sentences, and a conclusion.
Formatting & Sources
Please write your paper in the APA format. You will need to conduct basic research outside of the resources on Study.com, finding at least three sources that pertain to your topic. Please use reputable sites (e.g., .gov or .edu sites) for credible sources, and avoid sites that are not generally accepted academic resources (e.g., Wikipedia). Be sure to include a References page in APA style that credits the sources you used in your essay. Please include any Study.com lessons you used as sources (including the lesson title and instructor’s name). Do not include an abstract. Including a cover page is optional. If you’re unsure about how to use APA format to cite your sources, please see the following lessons:
· What is APA Format? Definition & Style
Argumentative Essay Prompts
1. Using social media has become a way of life. We can now easily connect with old friends, keep in touch with people across the world, and even form relationships with people we may never meet face-to-face. Is the increasing use of social media leading to more enhanced, meaningful connections than ever before, or is it detrimental to people’s relationships with one another? Can real relationships begin on social media? Consider these questions as you write an essay on your position regarding whether the use of social media is beneficial or harmful for creating and maintaining relationships.
2. The generation born between 1984-2004 are known as ‘Millennials.’ This group, which has grown to over eighty million people in just the United States, is the subject of much controversy. While some view the Millennial generation as innovative and hardworking, others describe them as lazy and self-involved. Which side of this debate are you on and why? Are Millennials’ contributions and perceptions of work, relationships, and society changing the world for better or for worse? Consider these questions as you write an essay on your position regarding whether or not the Millennial generation is the next great generation.
Grading Rubric
Your essay will be graded based on the following rubric:
|
Category |
Unacceptable (0-2) |
Needs Improvement (3-6) |
Good (7-8) |
Excellent (9-10) |
Total Possible Points |
|
Thesis |
Thesis is irrelevant or missing |
Thesis is present, but unclear or underdeveloped |
Thesis is clearly and succinctly stated |
Thesis is clear, thorough, and compelling |
10 |
|
Evidence for Arguments |
Evidence to support thesis is nonexistent or unrelated to overall purpose |
Evidence is difficult to identify, lacks depth, or isn’t clearly connected |
Evidence is thorough and clearly supports the purpose and position of the essay |
Thorough evidence clearly enhances the quality of the argument and the purpose of the essay |
20 |
|
Structure and Organization |
Disorganized and illogical structure hinders understanding |
Somewhat disorganized, but structure does not detract from understanding of main points |
Information is presented in a logical order but transitions are lacking |
Organization is logical; transitions between points are smooth and enhance clarity and delivery of main ideas |
10 |
|
Mechanics |
Incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and use of standard English grammar hinders understanding |
Several instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
Few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
No or very few instances of incorrect spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and usage of standard English grammar |
10 |
Before You Submit
It is recommended that you submit the three essays individually, so that feedback from each essay can be incorporated into the next essay. Before submission, we suggest running a spellcheck, doing a manual proofread, and read the essay out loud. It may also be a good idea to use an online plagiarism checker such as PlagScan or DupliChecker to make sure that your essay is not too similar to any existing materials. Plagiarized submissions will NOT be graded
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