Course Project: Final Paper Assignment REQUIRED RESOURCES Read/review the following resources for t ...
Course Project: Final Paper Assignment REQUIRED RESOURCES Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 13 Lesson Your "Argumentative Paper Checklist" INSTRUCTIONS Course Project Overview Week 7 Assignment This week, all the hard work you have done in researching your topic and issue will come to fruition in your argumentative paper. Address the requirements below to complete your paper: Follow the directions in the assigned textbook reading on how to write an argumentative essay on the issue you chose in Week 1. Write a 4–6 page argumentative essay on your chosen topic. Be sure your essay contains the following: An opening paragraph that states a clear thesis that is focused, plausible, and arguable and that gives direction and purpose to the paper A fair-minded, balanced, and objective development of the pros and cons of the issue in a well-organized sequence of ideas, free of mechanical errors Credible, reliable, and authoritative evidence in support of the points made A minimum of five authoritative sources that support your claim A strong conclusion that summarizes your views, reminds the audience of the issue and its importance, and shows in brief that you have successfully defended your thesis Once you feel you have got the final draft, try to put the paper aside, even for a few hours, and then read it again. Consider these questions when you review your paper: Did you address at least three aspects of the issue you chose? Does each aspect have relevant and authoritative evidence in support of your point? Have you included a view that is in opposition to your viewpoint, and have you answered that opposing view, pointing out its flaws in such a way as to refute it? Edit your paper Look for wordiness, repetition, vagueness, and ambiguity. Check the organization of the paper as a whole; make sure each paragraph maintains focus. After you are satisfied that the content of your paper is good, carefully proofread it and correct mechanical errors. WRITING REQUIREMENTS Length: 4–6 pages (not including title page or references page) 1-inch margins Double spaced 12-point Times New Roman font Title page References page GRADING This activity will be graded using the W7 Course Project Grading Rubric. OUTCOMES CO?4: Evaluate arguments by applying standard tests. CO?5: Evaluate the role of cognitive bias and fallacies of relevance in critical reasoning and decision-making. CO?6: Apply principles of critical reasoning to political, educational, economic, and/or social issues. CO?7: Create a fallacy-free argument that incorporates principles of ethical decision-making. DUE DATE By 11:59 p.m. MT on Sunday Rubric Course Project: Final Paper Rubric Course Project: Final Paper Rubric Criteria Ratings Pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength 5 pts Meets length requirement, 4-6 pages 0 pts Does not meet length requirement 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFocus and Organization - Clarity 40 pts The essay presents a thesis statement that is exceptionally clear, focused, and effectively guides the reader through the main argument. It succinctly encapsulates the essence of the essay's position and sets a strong foundation for the subsequent discussion. The essay maintains focus throughout. 34 pts The thesis statement is clear and focused, providing a solid foundation for the essay's argument. It effectively outlines the main points of discussion and guides the reader, though there may be minor room for improvement in terms of precision or depth. The essay maintains focus, with few instances of tangential discussion. 28 pts The thesis statement is clear, providing a foundation for the essay's argument. It outlines the main points of discussion. The essay mostly maintains a focus on the throughout, with some instances of tangential discussion. 25 pts The thesis statement lacks clarity and focus, making it difficult for the reader to discern the main argument of the essay. It may be too broad or vague, failing to provide clear guidance for the subsequent discussion. The essay struggles to maintain focus. 0 pts The thesis statement is unclear, unfocused, or entirely absent, hindering the reader's ability to understand the main argument of the essay. Its quality is severely lacking, resulting in a disjointed or confusing presentation of ideas. The essay lacks focus with significant digressions and off-topic discussions that obscure the central argument. 40 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReasoning 40 pts The essay demonstrates sophisticated reasoning, with well-developed arguments that anticipate and address counter arguments effectively. Logical reasoning and critical thinking skills are consistently applied throughout the essay 34 pts The essay presents sound reasoning, with clear arguments supported by relevant evidence. Counter arguments are addressed. Reasonable inferences support conclusions and there is evidence of good critical thinking skills 28 pts The essay provides reasonable arguments, but there may be gaps in logic or limited consideration of counterarguments. Reasoning is generally sound but may lack depth or complexity. 25 pts The essay lacks coherent reasoning, with weak or unsupported arguments. Counterarguments are either ignored or addressed inadequately, and logical fallacies may be present. 0 pts The essay demonstrates little to no logical reasoning. Arguments are unsupported or based on flawed reasoning, and counterarguments are neither acknowledged nor addressed effectively. 40 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of Evidential Support 40 pts The essay provides a wealth of relevant and credible evidence to support each argument. Sources are recent, authoritative, and predominantly from scholarly works. Evidence is effectively integrated into the essay and critically analyzed to strengthen the argument. Throughout, contains factual and accurate, detailed, current information to provide strong support for the thesis statement and the topics addressed in the body. 34 pts The essay utilizes a variety of relevant evidence to support arguments. While sources are generally credible, there may be occasional lapses in recency or authority but sources are primarily scholarly. Evidence is mostly well-integrated into the essay. 28 pts The essay presents evidence to support arguments, but there may be instances of insufficient or tangentially related evidence. The integration of sources could be improved for greater effectiveness. Most sources are scholarly. 24 pts The essay lacks sufficient or appropriate evidence to support arguments. Sources may be unreliable or irrelevant, and there is little analysis of evidence provided. There are few or no scholarly sources. 0 pts The essay relies heavily on anecdotal evidence or fails to provide any substantive evidence to support arguments. Sources, if any, are poorly integrated or lack credibility. 40 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCoherence 40 pts The essay demonstrates exceptional coherence, with seamless transitions between ideas and paragraphs. Each paragraph contributes to the overall coherence of the argument, and the flow of the essay enhances readability and comprehension. 34 pts The essay maintains coherence, with clear connections between ideas and paragraphs. Transitions are generally smooth, though there may be occasional lapses that do not significantly detract from the overall coherence. 28 pts The essay exhibits some coherence, but there are noticeable disruptions in the flow of ideas. Transitions between paragraphs may be abrupt or unclear, impacting the overall coherence of the argument. 24 pts The essay lacks coherence, with disjointed or unrelated ideas presented throughout. Transitions between paragraphs are often absent or ineffective, hindering the reader's understanding of the argument. 0 pts The essay is highly disjointed, with little to no coherence between ideas or paragraphs. Transitions are nonexistent or confusing, making it difficult for the reader to discern the argument's progression. 40 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTone 15 pts The essay maintains a consistently appropriate academic tone throughout, using formal language and demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject matter. 13 pts The essay generally maintains an appropriate academic tone, with occasional lapses in formality or language usage. Overall, the tone is respectful and scholarly. 9 pts The essay's academic tone is somewhat inconsistent or inappropriate at times. Language may be overly casual or informal, detracting from the overall professionalism of the essay. 7 pts The essay's academic tone is largely inappropriate, with frequent lapses in formality or professionalism. Language may be colloquial or overly subjective, undermining the credibility of the argument. 0 pts The essay's academic tone is consistently inappropriate or absent. Language is highly informal or unprofessional, and the essay may contain slang, personal opinions, or other elements that are not conducive to scholarly discourse. 15 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics: Punctuation, Spelling, and Capitalization 10 pts Virtually free of punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors. 8 pts Occasional punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors. 7 pts Many punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors. Interfere with meaning in some places. 6 pts Punctuation, spelling, or capitalization errors that hinder communication. 0 pts Severe punctuation, spelling and capitalization errors. 10 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Format 10 pts Contains properly formatted APA requirements, all 5 criteria: a. Length: 4-6 pages; b. 1-inch margins ; c. Double spaced; d.12-point Times New Roman font; e.Title page. 8 pts Contains mostly properly formatted APA (3 of the 5 criteria): a. Length: 4-6 pages; b. 1-inch margins ; c. Double spaced; d.12-point Times New Roman font; e.Title page. 7 pts Contains some properly formatted APA (3 of the 5 criteria): a. Length: 4-6 pages; b. 1-inch margins ; c. Double spaced; d.12-point Times New Roman font; e.Title page. 6 pts Contains a few properly formatted APA (2 of the 5 criteria): a. Length: 4-6 pages; b. 1-inch margins ; c. Double spaced; d.12-point Times New Roman font; e.Title page. 0 pts No APA formatting 10 pts Total Points: 200
