Sequence 2: Argument (Course Calendar) Week Date topic Reading Due Assignment Due Week 1 Monday / Intro to the Sequence Intro to “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson “Walter McMillian on 60 Minutes” Intro to SWA A “Introduction” Just (Appendix 1) Wednesday / Analysis of a Student Research Paper Group Brainstorming on Research Topics Lives not Worth the Money by Katelyn Thompson (on Revel) Revel Chapter 14 Find 2-4 research topics Friday / Annotated Bibliography Summary Annotated Bibliography: The Fog of Revolution by Sara Rodriguez (on Learn) Find an annotated bibliography on the Internet on your topic Saturday / Revel Chapter 14 Quiz Week 2 Monday / SWA A Peer Review Rough Draft of SWA A is due before the class Tuesday / SWA A and SWA A Peer Review Follow Up (Appendix 2) are due by midnight via Learn Wednesday / Intro to SWA B and MWA Argumentative Strategies Revel Chapter 22
Friday / Arguments Death Penalty Eliminates the Risk of Future Violent Crimes by Katelyn Firkus (on Revel) Excerpt from Ch. 14 JM about juvenile crime (Appendix 3) Revel Chapter 11 Sunday / Revel Chapter 11 Quiz Revel Chapter 22 Quiz Week 3 Monday / Developing Paragraphs and Sections Excerpt from Ch. 15 JM about brokenness (Appendix 4) Chapter 20 First Draft of SWA B is due by midnight to your peer’s email Tuesday / Chapter 20 Quiz At home SWA B peer review (Appendix 2) Wednesday / SWA B Peer Review Rough Draft of SWA B is due before the class Thursday SWA B and SWA B Peer Review Follow Up are due by midnight via Learn
Organization, Formatting and Clarity The paper is organized effectively and in accordance with the chosen format (MLA or APA). All entries have accurate bibliographical information. All sentences are easy to follow. The writer provides sufficient detail to explain his or her main points. The paper is organized in accordance with the chosen formatting style (MLA or APA), but there might be some minor issues with the accuracy of the bibliographical information or formatting. Most sentences are easy to follow. The writer generally provides sufficient detail to explain his or her main points. The paper has some issues with following the formatting style, both minor and major. Some sentences are easy to understand, but many are unclear. The writer provides some detail to explain his or her main points, but more is necessary. The paper does not follow any formatting style (MLA or APA) correctly. The ideas lack clarity due to flaws in sentence structure and organization and lack of detail. Grammar and mechanics 5 points 4 points 3-2 points 1-0 points The writing is free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. The writing is mostly free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. The writing contains some spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, major and minor. The writing is distracting and/or hard to follow due to numerous spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Reflection 5 points 4 points 3-2 points 1-0 points The reflection memes represent clear and thoughtful consideration of your ideas about your topic. The reflection memes show your ideas about your topic in understandable terms. The reflection memes include some useful insights, but need deeper consideration or clarification. The reflection section is unclear, superficial, and/or of insufficient length or is missing completely. Total Points /45 SWA B: Argument English 120-112
SWA B Grading Rubric Element Description and Point Value (tentative) Title 5 points 4 points 3-2 points 1-0 points The title reflects the topic and the main point of the argument. It is creative and grabs the readers’ attention. The title reflects both the issue and the main point of the argument and grabs the readers’ attention. The title reflects the issue of the argument but may not reflect its main point. The title fails to reflect the topic and/or main point of the argument. Introduction 10 points 9-8 points 7-6 points 5-0 points The introduction clearly identifies the and the main points of the argument; it also grabs the readers’ attention in a creative and engaging manner. The introduction identifies the issue and the argument’s main points, as well as grabs the readers’ attention. The introduction identifies the issue and the writer’s main claims, but may be not engaging for the readers. Thesis statement might be unclear or not representative of the writer’s main claims. The introduction fails to identify the article and/or the writer’s claims and does not engage the readers’ attention. Conclusion 10 points 9-8 points 7-6 points 5-0 points The conclusion sums up the argument and establishes a clear sense of finality. The conclusion sums up the argument somewhat but not completely and/or leaves the without a clear ending point. The conclusion sums up the argument but may be too long, too abrupt, or introduce new information that should have been introduced earlier. The conclusion is not evident or does not fit the rest of the argument. Content 40-35 points 34-31 points 30-25 points 24-0 points The paper covers all of the assignment prompt in a mature and effective manner. The argument presents an insightful and detailed exploration of the issue and all of the debates that surround it. The The covers most of the assignment prompt effectively, offering a fairly detailed exploration of the issue. The writer makes an overall convincing argument, and the The covers some of the assignment prompt but may overlook some important aspects of the issue. The argument might lack in depth or persuasiveness. Other publications on the issue are The paper does not address the assignment prompt in an efficient manner and/or overlooks some crucial aspects of the issue. The argument is not convincing and
writer makes a very convincing argument for his/her point of view while also considering and rebutting the opposing views in a mature manner. The research is valid and appropriate and is incorporated in an effective and ethical way. opposing points of view are considered. The research components are appropriate. mentioned but not discussed in sufficient detail. ineffective; the writer does not mention other publications on the topic. The research components are inadequate. Organization and Clarity 25-23 points 22-20 points 19-17 points 16-0 points The body paragraphs progress logically from one to another. Transitions between different ideas are clear and seamless. All sentences are easy to follow. The writer provides sufficient detail to explain his or her main points. The paragraphs and sentences progress logically from one idea to the next for the most part. Most of the transitions are Most sentences are easy to follow. The writer generally provides sufficient detail to explain his or her main points. Some of the paragraphs and sentences progress logically from one idea to the next. Some sentences are easy to understand, but many are unclear. The writer provides some detail to explain his or her main points, but more is necessary. The ideas lack clarity due to flaws in sentence structure and organization and/or lack of detail. Grammar and mechanics 15-14 points 13-11 points 10-8 points 7-0 points The writing is free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. The writing is mostly free of distracting spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. The writing contains some spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, major and minor. The writing is distracting and/or hard to follow due to numerous spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Multimodality +10-9 points +8-7 points +6-5 points 0 points The writer used various multimodal components (pictures, videos, web tools, etc.) to enhance the argument effectively. The writer incorporated some multimodal components. Most of them work effectively to promote the argument. The writer utilized some multimodal components, but they might not work effectively to promote the writer’s argument. The writer did not use any multimodal components to enhance the argument.
valuable and respectful comments; - actively invites contribution from others; - disagrees respectfully. - provides valuable and respectful comments most of the time; - invites contribution from others most of the time; - disagrees adequately. - provides few valuable comments and sometimes sounds derogatively; - reluctantly invites contribution from others; - painfully reacts to criticism. feedback; - invites no contributions from others; - can’t handle criticism at all. Works Towards Team Goals Student consistently works toward team goals Student works toward team goals most of the time Student works toward team goals some of the time Student does not work toward team goals Cooperation Student interacts well within the and respects other group members Student interacts adequately within the and respects other group members Student interacts not always adequately within the group and does not respect other group members Student does not cooperate with other group members or makes a personal attack Comments /16