Final Paper: Proposal

(Staple this page to the front of your essay with the other side of the page visible.)

Paper 4: Proposal

Due Date: Check syllabus

Length: 1250 – 1750 words, minimum

Value: 25% of your final grade

Description: You have two choices:

Option 1: Choose a local community service organization with whom to volunteer your time, following up your service with a reflective, autobiographical essay that incorporates relevant research and makes a proposal to fellow students about such service. Is the organization deserving of their time or not?

Option 2: Conduct extensive research about a local community service organization and write a paper that proposes how future sections of English 101 and/or English 102 involve themselves with that organization. Is the organization worthy of being incorporated into such a course or not?

Research: Option 1: Use a minimum of 3 USC Upstate Library resources (including electronic databases). In

addition, you may use other sources such as interviews, information from organizations, and credible

World Wide Web sites. Much (but not all) of your paper may incorporate the experiences you had as a

volunteer for your organization.

Option 2: Use a minimum of 8 sources. At least 4 must be USC Upstate Library resources (including

electronic databases). In addition, you may use other sources such as interviews, information from

organizations, and credible World Wide Web sites.

Both: You may use general dictionaries and encyclopedias to gain background information on your

topic, but you should not use or cite these sources in your paper.

Structure: See page 319 of Deans.

1. Introduction: Introduction to topic and research question and often justification of its significance. For option 1, you might start with an anecdote from your experience volunteering.

2. Narration: History/context of problem or issue. For option 1, incorporate your experience volunteering.

3. Argument: Your main line of argument / claims and support.

4. Refutation: Refutation of critics to your position as well as responses to anticipated objections.

5. Conclusion: Conclusions and recommendations.

English 102

Paper 4: Final Project: Proposal

Student Name: _________________________

Writing Skills Evaluation	Excellent		Average	Weak
	High	Low		High	Low
Quality of Thought	5	4	3	2	1
Recognition/examination of complex ideas Credible and logical support	Unified and strong control of content. Opinions and claims are well-supported. Ample evidence. Logic is maintained. Paper is ambitious and insightful. Original ideas are presented, not repetitions of class discussion.		Generally unified. Ideas are balanced. Opinions and claims are adequately supported and usually logical. Paper is ambitious but quality is inconsistent. Ideas are repetitions of class discussion.	Little evidence of control of ideas. Ideas are not supported, or support is clichéd or illogical. Paper is not ambitious or insightful. Ideas are largely obvious to any reader or are a repetition of what was said in class.
Clarity of Purpose	5	4	3	2	1
Clear purpose Audience awareness Thesis	Positions are insightful and clear. Thesis is clearly stated and is argumentative. Thesis is focused; intent is obvious. Clear sense of audience.		Positions are sound and understandable. Thesis is vague or not clearly argumentative. Thesis is general; intent is evident. Somewhat aware of audience.	Lacks position on topics. Thesis may be absent or intent is unclear. Superficial. Little to no recognition of audience.
Organization of Content	5	4	3	2	1
Arrangement Unity Coherence	Ideas are well connected through structural and linguistic transitions. Structure complements and completes content.		Some evidence of structural and linguistic transitions. Structure is generally adequate for the content.	Overall unity and coherence are flawed. Parts are poorly connected, and there is little evidence of planning or organization.
Language and Style/Voice	5	4	3	2	1
Vocabulary Register Tone	Exhibits confident, skillful use of language. Uses a varied, accurate, and appropriate vocabulary. Sentences are purposefully designed and matched to content.		Exhibits adequate but inconsistent facility in the use of language. Uses generally appropriate vocabulary and varied sentences.	Displays little facility in the use of language. Uses limited vocabulary or inappropriate word choice. Sentences are basic. Paper may be repetitive or wordy.
Mechanics	5	4	3	2	1
Grammar and usage Punctuation Spelling	Grammatical structures are well-chosen. No errors detract from meaning.		Grammatical structures carry the meaning forward, although readers notice occasional error(s).	Grammar errors are so obtrusive that readers are seriously distracted by them.
Research / Citations	5	4	3	2	1
MLA formatting Number of citations Evidence from the text	Clear attribution and accurate documentation. In-text citations and works cited page are correct. Proper use of signal phrases. Uses multiple examples from the text.		Some evidence of citations in text and on works cited page. Inconsistent use of MLA formatting. Uses a few examples from the text.	Little or no use of signal phrases. Significant errors in formatting in-text and works cited page citations. Uses two or three examples from the text.

Essays plagiarized or not written on the essay assignment will receive a score of zero.

TOTAL SCORE:

COMMENTS: