This two-stage documented essay assignment is designed for you to apply the essay writing skills you have developed in order to meet the following course learning outcomes:
- Write coherent and grammatically correct essays in response to readings, developing and supporting a central idea/thesis appropriate to the intended audience;
- Demonstrate the knowledge of essay structure, mechanics of writing, and the function of introductory, supporting and concluding paragraphs in essay writing in response to assigned readings;
- Apply the skills of editing and proofreading to compose, revise, and edit written assignments so that they are consistently free of errors in spelling, syntax and grammar; and
- Integrate quotations, information, and ideas from sources used, and provide documentation in the APA format using parenthetical references and an APA reference page.
Part 1 – Outline, In-class essay and checklist (2 hours) (5%)
- Read assigned readings for the in-class essay before in-class writing.
- Create an outline for the documented essay (Week 9).
- Write in-class first draft of the essay on the assigned topics with reference to the readings (APA documentation is not necessary at this stage) (Week 10).
- Once the in-class essay (Part 1) is complete, apply the essay structure checklist to your essay.
Part 2 – Take-home APA documented essay (20%)
- Working with your in-class first draft (with your teacher’s feedback), edit and revise your essay structure and sentences.
- Integrate references to the readings in APA parenthetical style (minimum of 4 sources, 1 must be a secondary source).
- Revise your essay into proper APA style including an APA title page, proper spacing, parenthetical references and a reference page (Your reference page must include at least 4 sources).
- Submit your essay to Turn-it-in and then the course Drop Box. Submit the hard copy of your final draft in class (Week 12).
COMM 171 Documented Essay Assignment
Assigned readings from the Maple Collection Reader:
- Finding a Nationality That Fits by Isabel Vincent, p.145 (MC)
- Jan Wong Wants to See Canadians De-Hyphenate Themselves by Jan Wong, p.149 (MC)
- An Immigrant’s Split Personality by Sun-Kyung Yi, p.153 (MC)
Choose one of the following topics to write an academic essay. Do not summarize the readings. Refer to the readings to support your own ideas.
- Based on your own ideas and experience and with reference to the readings, write a responsive essay discussing the challenges hyphenated Canadians face in the workplace.
- Based on your own ideas and experience and with reference to the readings, write a responsive essay discussing whether hyphenated Canadians should or should not de-hyphenate themselves.
- Based on your own ideas and experience and with reference to the readings, write a responsive essay discussing issues faced by children growing up with two cultures.
Essay Guidelines:
- Write a five paragraph essay. Please double space.
- Your introduction should include at least 3 introductory strategies and a 3 point thesis statement. It should be approximately 5-6 sentences in length.
- Each body paragraph should include a clear topic sentences, transitions and clear examples based on your own ideas and with reference to the readings. Each paragraph should be approximately 10-15 sentences.
- The concluding paragraph should re-state the thesis and leave the reader with a memorable statement. It should be approximately 5-6 sentences in length.
Essay Checklist:
- Assess your draft essay according to the essay checklist
- Your professor will provide needed feedback on the first draft of your essay.
- Revise your essay according to the guidelines for Part 2 of the documented essay assignment.