COMM 160 SOLMAN Name:

WRITING ASSIGNMENT # 2 (15%)

Marks: /15

A) Pick any ONE (1) of the Preliminary Essay Topics below:

1. “Let’s Unplug the Digital Classroom” (Mann, pp. 408-410). Many research studies show that
digital technology—computers, smartphones, and Ipods—have dumbed down higher education. Is
there a connection between the wide use of digital technology and why many students believe
that education should be fun and uncomplicated? Using ideas from the essay, give evidence in
support your topic sentence. Stay in the third person where possible (see below*).

2. “Grammar and Your Salary” (Harris, pp. 397-399). Do individuals generally make the
connection between good grammar and their career success? If so, why? If not, why not?
Using ideas from the essay, give evidence in support your topic sentence. Stay in the third person
where possible (see below*).

3. “The Economic Cost of Depression” (Lamphier, pp. 400-402). The author discusses the idea of
depression from many points of view. What is new about discussing depression from an economic
point of view and the costs to the economy? Refer to the essay for evidence in support of your topic
sentence. Stay in third person where possible (see below*).

B) Write ONE (1) preliminary essay from the three choices above (thesis statement followed by three
support paragraph of 5-7 sentences each). Do not quote at great length from the article. However,
refer to the reading in your preliminary essay by doing the following:

1. Each paragraph must have a topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.
2. Include TWO ideas from the reading and put them into your own words.
3. Incorporate these ideas into your preliminary essay (to support a point already in your composition)
4. Clearly point out that these ideas are from the reading (e.g., According to Mann...or Mann states
that…).
5. Be sure to demonstrate both an awareness of and sensitivity to your potential audience (including
the person or persons about whom you are writing).
6. Remember to stay in the third person where possible.
7. Spend at least 10 minutes reading over your writing and making improvements in the areas of
grammar and content. Rewrite any sentence that seems unclear.

Your composition will be marked for proper structure, completeness, clarity, and grammatical and
mechanical correctness.

* ‘Keeping your writing in 3rd person’ means avoiding the following words: I, me, my,
mine, myself, we, us, our, ours, ourselves, you, your, yours, yourself, or yourselves.
FOR EXAMPLE: An individual/person often finds technology a challenge OR
people /individuals often find technology a challenge.

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 PRELIMINARY ESSAY OUTLINE

THESIS STATEMENT WITH THREE POINTS:

Topic/subject + controlling idea + main points 1, 2, and 3:

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Topic sentence introducing main point 1.

(Support for first main point. Three points of support and three supporting details/examples)
1.

2.

3.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Topic sentence introducing main point 2.

(Support for second main point. Three points of support and three supporting details/examples)
1.

2.

3.

BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Topic sentence introducing main point 3.

(Support for third main point. Three points of support and three supporting details/examples)
1.

2.

3.

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 Write ONE (1) ESSAY from the three choices above (thesis statement followed by three
support paragraph of 5-7 sentences each).

SEE MINI-SAMPLE ESSAY BELOW AS A MODEL FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT—THESIS PLUS THREE FULL PARAGRAPHS PLUS CONCLUSION:

Technology has affected many aspects of human life in both positive and negative ways.[Introduction] Although technology has made every day living

more comfortable, it may be eroding people’s abilities to think analytically and to memorize large amounts of material. [Thesis statement]

In his article “Twitter Trap,” Bill Keller describes how technology is eroding people’s minds, taking away many of the vital intellectual features individuals

once possessed.[Paraphrase from article] Keller points out things like “typing has killed penmanship” and “what little memory we do use we are soon to surrender to

Google” (Keller, 2011, p. 25). [Quote from article] He is also reminded of his father who often told him “the pocket calculator for all of its convenience has diminished

the generation’s math skills” (Keller, 2011, p. 25). [Quote from article]

In conclusion, although there are many positive and negative aspects that go with the progress of technology, it may be that the negatives far outweigh

the positives. [Concluding sentence]

REFERENCE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT (SUBSTITUTE WITH AUTHOR AND PAGE NUMBERS FOR ARTICLE)

Reference

Bissoondath, N. (1995). Selling illusions. In The Canadian writer's workplace (2016). (8th Ed.). Lipschutz, G., Scarry, J., & Scarry, S. (Eds.) (pp. 414 -417). Toronto:

Nelson Education.

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 COMM160 CRITERIA SHEET
Name: ____________________________________ COMM 160

Writing Test #2 (15%)

Structure (5 marks) Excellen Satisfactory Needs Work Marks/
t Comment
 Uses correct format and length
 States clear, effective topic sentence/thesis statement
 Stays on topic (unity)
 Connects ideas in a clear, logical order (coherence)
 Uses appropriate transitional words/phrases
 For a paragraph, ends with effective concluding sentence; for a
preliminary essay, contains proper topic sentences

Development (5 marks) Excellent Satisfactory Needs Work Marks/

Comment
 Responds to question/topic chosen
 Identifies clear main points of support
 Provides appropriate specific details/examples
 Avoids vague statements and repetition
 Includes references to assigned reading
 Demonstrates understanding of ideas in reading
 Shows evidence of clear, critical thinking
 Employs a variety of sentence styles

Sentence Skills (5 marks) Excellent Satisfactory Needs Work Marks/

Comment
Major Errors No. of Marks
errors Deducted
 Fragments
 Run-Ons
 Verb Errors
 Awkward/Confusing Sentences
 Unparallel Structure
 Major Punctuation Errors
Minor Errors
 Misspellings
 Pronoun Errors
 Diction (Word choice/use)
 Modifiers (misplaced, dangling)
 Minor Punctuation Errors
 Capitalization Errors
 Other
General Comments: Grade: