Essay Basics Assignment Details

Purpose: You will be able to...
  • Recognize the differences (and similarities) between paragraph writing and essay writing
  • Create body paragraphs that have a clear topic sentences and supporting details with coherence and unity
  • Utilize a compare/contrast or cause/effect pattern and signal phrases effectively in an essay  
  • Develop effective introductory and conclusion paragraphs
Task & Focus Questions: For this assignment, you will write a 2-3 page essay that responds to the following questions surrounding the topic given in the diagnostic exam you took at the beginning of the semester -"Should parents be concerned about their young children using iPads?":
  • Cause/Effect Pattern: What are the potential benefits and/or negative effects that would be caused by allowing young children to use iPads? 
  • Compare/Contrast Pattern: Compare/contrast using iPad at home vs. using iPad at a school or nursery. Discuss why there are increasing concerns about using iPad at home (Source 1 and 2) while there are increasing reports about the benefits of using iPad at a school or nursery (Source 3 and 4).   
  • Process Pattern: Based on your analysis of pros and cons of allowing young children access to iPads discussed in the articles below, what specific steps and/or strategies do you recommend for parents who have just decided to allow their young children to use an iPad at home?
You may choose one pattern and use it throughout the essay or use mixed patterns (e.g., using cause/effect patterns in the first two paragraphs and a process pattern in the last paragraph).   

 Source Requirements: At least two academic sources must be used in this essay:
Note: You may choose your own source as long as it is a reliable source that covers a relevant topic.

Formatting Requirements: Essays should be 2-3 pages, with a title. Times New Roman, Size 12, Double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides. (Paper size: 8 1/2 x 11-inches)

Plagiarism Disclaimer: APA in-text and reference page citations should be used, along with effective paraphrasing. Because avoiding plagiarism topics are explicitly taught in this unit, there will be serious consequences to both intentional and unintentional plagiarism.

Deadlines: 1st draft (titled "111_Essay_Basics_netid_1") by March 16, 2nd (final) draft (titled "111_Essay_Basics_netid_2") by March 18

Grading Rubric (Read p.2 only)
Sample Paper

Posted by at