Modern Culture

What are some words that have had a traditional meaning but have been redefined by more recent culture? Think in terms of your parents’ language and how it changed to your generation, computer language’s impact on society, or maybe how your kids talk compared to your use of language. Please be mindful not to use examples that are inappropriate for an academic setting or may be offensive to others.

Topic 5 Rubric: Persuasive Essay: First Draft

Criteria % Value 1: Unsatisfactory 2: Less Than Satisfactory 3: Satisfactory 4: Good 5: Excellent
% Scaling 0% 65% 75% 85% 100%
Content – 70%
Objective Perspective and Position

20% Addresses a single source or view of the argument and fails to clarify presented position relative to one’s own. Appropriately identifies one’s own position on the topic. Vague explanation of the position is given. Little reference to specific issues related to the topic is made. Position completely appeals to emotion instead of reason. Appropriately identifies one’s position on the topic. Explains the position taken in a coherent way. Sound reference to specific issues related to the topic is made. Position mostly appeals to emotion instead of reason. Formulates a clear and precise point of view of the topic. Clearly explains the position taken. Sound and detailed reference to specific issues related to the topic is made. Position appeals mostly to reason. Formulates a clear and precise point of view of the topic. Comprehensively explains the position taken. Specific issues related to the topic are fully presented in great detail. Position appeals to reason.
Word Count 5% Word count is less than half the minimum or more than double the maximum. Body of essay is more than 100 words over or under the word count. Body of essay is more than 50 but less than 100 words over or under the word count. Body of essay is over or under the word count by 50 words or less. Within the appropriate word count.
Argues to persuade
20% No real persuasive argument is made. No outside sources are used. Presents a vague argument relative to the topic and presents no evidence to support the argument. Fewer than three outside sources are used. No Peer Reviewed sources used. Presents an argument relative to the topic and presents minimal evidence to support the argument. Not all evidence is relevant to the argument. At least three outside sources are used with at least one peer-reviewed journal article. Presents an argument relative to the topic and presents key evidence to support the argument through a synthesis of paraphrased and quoted material. Three sources are used. At least two peer reviewed journal articles are used. Presents an argument relative to the topic and presents key evidence to support the argument through a synthesis of paraphrased research. Identifies not only the main issues, but also the embedded, implicit, or unspoken aspects of the topic. At least three peer reviewed journal articles are used. Direct quotes are minimal.
Adheres to principles of critical thinking
Manage emotions and avoid fallacies.
Logical reasoning is used within arguments
Upholds persuasive tone rather than manipulative
Acknowledge other perspectives and evaluate assumptions about the topic.
25% Fails to adhere to almost all principles of critical thinking. Adheres to few principles of critical thinking. Adheres to some principles of critical thinking on a surface level. Adheres to many principles of critical thinking. Use of the principles is clear to see. Adheres to most of the principles of critical thinking. Attempts to incorporate each one in a logical and fluid way

Organization and Effectiveness – 25%
Thesis Development and Purpose

13% Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is not stated in the conclusion.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear. Thesis is not stated in the conclusion. Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is not stated in the conclusion. Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is stated within the concluding paragraph Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear. Thesis is clearly restated in the conclusion.
Paragraph Development and Transitions
8% Paragraphs and transitions consistently lack unity and coherence. No apparent connections between paragraphs are established. Transitions are inappropriate to purpose and scope. Organization is disjointed. Some paragraphs and transitions may lack logical progression of ideas, unity, coherence, and/or cohesiveness. Some degree of organization is evident. Paragraphs are generally competent, but ideas may show some inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships to each other. A logical progression of ideas between paragraphs is apparent. Paragraphs exhibit a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Topic sentences and concluding remarks are appropriate to purpose. There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Includes topic sentences that are persuasive and align with thesis statement. Includes details and rationale that support the main points of each supporting paragraph. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless with transition between paragraphs

Mechanics of Writing
(includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
4% Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, and/or word choice are present. Essay is primarily written in first and second person Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used. Essay is written with third person voice with some instances of first or second person. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used. Essay is mostly written with third person voice. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. Essay is written with third person voice.

Research Citations
(In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment and style) 3% No reference page is included. No citations are used.
Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used. Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present. Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and citation style is usually correct. In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.

PHI-105 Persuasive Essay Guidelines
Topics 1-7: Full-Course Assignment
1) Throughout this course, you will work on writing a persuasive essay of 750¬–1,000 words (roughly 3–5 pages).
2) The essay-writing process is broken down into seven parts. Each part will be due in a different topic and graded separately.
a) Topic and Audience (due by the end of Topic 1)
b) Brainstorm (due by the end of Topic 2)
c) Thesis Statement (due by the end of Topic 3)
d) Outline (due by the end of Topic 4)
e) First Draft (due by the end of Topic 5)
f) Peer Review (due by the end of Topic 6)
g) Final Draft (due by the end of Topic 7)

4) For this essay, you will begin by choosing a topic from the list provided in the “Persuasive Essay: Topic and Audience Worksheet.” If you would like to write about a topic that is not on the list, you may ask the instructor for permission.
5) Next, take a position on your topic by deciding if you are for or against the topic. This would be considered the “stance or position”.
6) The goal of this essay is for you to persuade your audience to agree with your position. Your written essay should demonstrate critical thinking by adhering to the following principles which will be studied throughout the course:
a) Acknowledge other perspectives and evaluate assumptions about the topic.
b) Manage emotions and avoid fallacies.
c) Provide evidence to support your position (Peer Review Journal Articles).
d) Include facts.
7) Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
8) This assignment uses a grading rubric that can be viewed at the assignment’s drop box. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
9) The first draft and final essay must be submitted to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Thinking and Language Reflection Worksheet

Reflect on your understanding of the relationship between thinking and language.

Answer the following questions in 100-200 words each:
a) How do individuals acquire and develop language?

b) How do you personally communicate your thoughts and how did you learn to do so?

c) Based on your own experiences, what are some symbols (e.g., letters of the alphabet) people use to communicate?

d) Explain how you think these symbols are related to critical thinking?

The assignment will be graded according to the following criteria:
a) Clarity: The intent of the writer is clear.
b) Logic: The answer makes sense.
c) Answers question: The questions are addressed fully.
Mechanics: Answers contain proper punctuation and grammar