Multiple-Source Essay Prompt

Multiple-Source Essay Prompt

Here comes your last essay writing assignment. In this task, you are going to write a Multiple-Source Essay under the same topic “TV Violence” as you did in the Single-Source Essay. Likewise, you are going to respond to the same article entitled “The Market for Television Violence” by James T. Hamilton by either supporting or opposing his proposition. You will be expected to analyze and synthesize the multiple sources that you have found and present your sources’ points of view to your readers. You should treat your sources as a form of evidence and cite them whenever they are relevant. A balance between your own ideas and those of your sources needs to be shown. Five more sources other than the original are required to facilitate your argumentation in the essay.

Here are the guidelines for writing the multiple-source essay:

1. Keep the same thesis in the single-source essay unless you would want to change it
2. Add the synthesis paragraph before your thesis
3. The article provided is taken as the main source, of which, your analysis will be conducted. On the other hand, the other five sources are considered as assisting evidences for you to testify your argument.
4. Cite and utilize both the article and the other five sources in the main body so as to illustrate or elaborate your reasons to prove your thesis
5. Remember to include both the in-text citations and “References” page in your essay
6. Personal pronouns, “I”, “We”, “You” and their corresponding possessive pronouns, “my”, “our” and “your”, “mine”, “ours”, and “yours” CANNOT show up before conclusion.

Essay Structure:

Introduction & Summary (1st Paragraph)-

· An introduction of ONE or TWO sentences to lead your audience into the topic of “TV Violence”
· Summary of the article in THREE to FOUR sentences with the author’s viewpoint clearly presented in your own words

Evidences or arguments for the author’s standpoint (2nd Paragraph)-

· Presenting the author’s evidences/arguments/analysis to support his point of view in your own words

Synthesis of Five Other Sources (3rd Paragraph)-

· A coherent combination of the five relevant sources with their main ideas and precise citations lucidly presented
Thesis (4th Paragraph) - ONE or TWO sentences

· Presenting your own point of view responding to the author’s by NOT using the first and second persons “I”, “We” and “You.”

Main Body (5th, 6th and 7th Paragraph)-

· Fifth Paragraph-
The first supporting paragraph to your thesis with the topic sentence shown in the beginning and
the sources cited in the paragraph (paraphrasing/summarizing/quoting)

· Sixth Paragraph-
The second supporting paragraph to your thesis with transition and the topic sentence shown in the beginning and the sources cited in the paragraph (paraphrasing/summarizing/quoting)

· Seventh Paragraph-
The third supporting paragraph to your thesis with transition and the topic sentence shown in the beginning and the sources cited in the paragraph (paraphrasing/summarizing/quoting)

Conclusion (8th Paragraph)-

· A concise and sound ending paragraph that reinforces your thesis

References (a new page)-

· Use APA format to document your sources (6 or more)

While you are writing, be sure to do the following:

§ Wherever appropriate, use summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting
§ Clearly present your position in your thesis
§ Organize your paragraphs in a logical order
§ Use APA format to cite your sources

Your essay will be evaluated based on how well you: (1) present, articulate, and support your ideas (2) engage with the source materials (3) control the organization and flow of the essay (4) construct clear and balanced sentences (5) polish and edit.

First Draft (Two Copies)-Due at the beginning of class, on Friday, 04/18/08
Final Draft (Two Copies)-Due at the beginning of class, on Friday, 04/25/08
Attention: Only the work handed in on time will be counted as valid. Late essays WILL NOT be accepted for this assignment, which will objectively result in your losing of the total points for each draft.

Ø Length: 4-5 pages
Ø Add your synthesis paragraph before your thesis
Ø No “I”, “We” or “You” can be used before conclusion
Ø Incorporate the five other sources in your body paragraphs

Essay Format:

Your two drafts must:
1. be typed, double–spaced, numbered and printed
*Please put the page number at the right upper corner of each page.*
2. have one-inch margins on all sides
3. be stapled at the left upper corner of the pages
4. use 12-point font size and “Times New Roman” font style
5. include your name, course number, instructor’s name, the date, and the subject on the left upper corner of the first page.

Example: Mike Lee
Ling 101
Instructor: Qian Zhou (Jane)
April 18th, 2008
Multiple-Source Essay, First Draft

**Please follow the above instructions when composing and formatting your essay; otherwise, the writings with a disordered structure and an incorrect format WILL BE REJECTED. **














Essay Rubrics:


Multiple-Source Essay
First Draft
Student’s Name: __________________________________________________________________

Poor
Good
Excellent
Total
Introduction & Conclusion
(10 points)
Introduction and Conclusion are not clear-need more work (1-3 points)
Introduction and Conclusion are quite good but still need some improvement (4-7 points)
Excellent Introduction and Conclusion( 8-10 points)

Thesis Statement (15 points)
The thesis statement does not exist or is unclear (0-8 points)
The thesis statement is fine but still needs some clarification or improvement (9-12 points)
Excellent thesis statement (13-15 points)

Main-body paragraphs
(20 points)
The main body paragraphs are not related to the thesis statement and/or do not carry only one idea each (1-11 points)
The main-body paragraphs are good but some of them need clarification and/or development (12-17 points)
The main-body paragraphs support the thesis statement (18-20 points)

Use of sources (20 points)
Does not use all sources; sources are not related to the thesis statement (1-11 points)
Somewhat use of sources; somewhat related to the thesis statement (12-17 points)
Use of all sources; they are connected to each other and related to the thesis (18-20 points)

Use of quotation, summary and paraphrase (15 points)
No or hardly any use of quotation, summary and paraphrase (1-8 points)
Somewhat use of quotation, summary and paraphrase (9-12 points)
Excellent use of quotation, summary and paraphrase (13-15 points)

Total (max 80 points)





Additional Comments:
Multiple-Source Essay
Final Draft
Student’s Name: __________________________________________________________________

Poor
Adequate
Fair
Very Good
Excellent
Total

Logical development and connection of ideas- 40% ( 48 points)
Lack of development and connection of ideas(1-27p)
Minimally developed ideas; no apparent connection(28-32p)
Some ideas are developed but still lack further development and connection (33-37p)
Ideas are well developed and connected (38-42p)
Excellent and thorough development and connection of ideas (43-48p)


Organization(Introduction, Main Body and Conclusion)- 20% ( 24 points)
Absence of introduction or conclusion; no apparent organization of main body (1-13p)
Minimally recognized introduction; organization can be barely seen; severe problems with organization of ideas(14-15p)
Average introduction or conclusion; problems with the organization of ideas in the main body (16-18p)
Introduction and conclusion meet the criteria; main body but still lacks development(19-20p)
Excellent introduction and conclusion; ideas are clear, have a good transition and are well developed (21-24p)






Grammar-15% (18 points)
Severe grammar problems interfere greatly with the writer’s ideas (1-9p)
Numerous serious grammar problems that interfere with the writer’s ideas (10-11p)
Ideas are getting through to the reader, but grammar problems are apparent and have a negative effect on the writer’s ideas (12-13p)
Advanced use of grammar, a few grammatical problems but do not interfere with the writer’s ideas (14-15p)
Native-like use of grammar, no fragments or run-on sentences (16-18p)




Punctuation, spelling and mechanics-15% (18p)
Complete disregard for English writing convention; paper illegible(1-9p)
Serious problems with format of paper; parts of essay not legible (10-11p)
Uses general writing conventions but has errors; spelling problems and punctuation interfere with ideas (12-13p)
A few problems with writing conventions or punctuation but paper is still neat(14-15p)
Correct use of English writing conventions and punctuation (16-18p)



Style and quality expression-10% (12p)
Inappropriate use of vocabulary; no concept of register or sentence variety (1-6p)
Poor expression of ideas; problems in vocabulary; lacks variety of structures (7p)
Some vocabulary misused; lacks awareness of register; may be too wordy (8p)
Attempts variety; good vocabulary; style fairly concise(9p)

Precise vocabulary usage; use of parallel structures (10-12p)

Total (Max. 120p)







Additional Comments: