ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
Behavioral and social sciences require thinking that is critical, and writing that is clear and precise. In this case, critical does not mean negative. Critical means to subject issues, events, or individuals to a criteria based judgment - in short, a balanced analysis.
After receiving a topic from your professor, you will complete a two to three page typed logical, focused essay on the topical question. Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support, and be in the standard essay form.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
• You will have a single question provided. STICK TO THE QUESTION.
• Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Then, you will complete a five paragraph (two to three paged) typed logical, focused essay on the question. Be clear and precise.
• Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support represented by specific examples from the texts, and be in the STANDARD ESSAY FORM (single-spaced or double-spaced).
• Use of the text(s) counts. Spelling, grammar, and clarity count.
• Cite your sources. This means show me where in your books you draw your examples and facts.
An example is: “The discussion of Bacon’s rebellion is a good example of the wealthy manipulating the political economy of the colonies against poorer and non-white colonists (Zinn: 39).”
• You will have a bibliography that will include five (5) sources, and may be in any standard (complete) format – such as APA or AHA. All sources will be cited in the body of your work. NO ENCYCLOPEDIA / WIKIPEDIA SOURCES! You can find examples in any style manual such as Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
• REMEMBER: Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Bring your typed essay to class. These essays MUST be stapled and labeled with name and class / section. Your answers are due no later than Thursday.
• You will not receive a grade for about two weeks from submitting your midterm. I will notify you of your grade in class. You should keep track of your course grade – including your total of weekly work. I caution you to be patient.
ESSAY FORMAT
A. Thesis – The all-important first paragraph. Remember to Define your thesis – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important? Also, provide an Argument or methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
B. Body – 3 body paragraphs. This should be a point by point expansion of the thesis. Each paragraph should reflect and aspect of fact that is analyzed and related to the established argument. Each area of analysis should be followed by a source note that tells where your research was done. Using a standard system (footnote, endnotes, or parenthetic notes) cite your sources.
C. Summary / Conclusion – The final paragraph of the paper should draw together the essential features of body into a summarized synthesis of exactly how they support the thesis. In addition, this portion of the piece should conclude or direct the reader to come to a conclusion on the meaning of the paper.
D. Bibliography – This is a formal scholarly exercise in acknowledgement of the resources used to write the paper. A standard format should be used that originates from a specific academic area or discipline. Some samples can be found in writer’s style manuals. This assignment should have five (5) sources. No source from an un-refereed source allowed. This means that if you cannot find author credits and/or an institution that sponsors the source, then it is a questionable source.
Developing An Analytical Thesis For The ALL IMPORTANT 1st Paragraph
Clear and precise writing is writing that is focused, using precise word choices for a specific and particular effect. Focus comes from structure and implies actively choosing a direction, and sticking to it. In this exercise, the goal is to construct an analytical thesis that is the 1st paragraph of your essay. Generally follow the outline below in your first draft(s).
A. Consider the Reader – Who is to be reached, and what is to be accomplished? Continually think of how to do this. Don’t assume that you are writing for me. Seek to inform and engage the reader.
B. Topical sentence – In general, who, what, when, where is the paper about?
C. Define thesis - Thesis sentence – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important?
D. Working environment – Narrow down the focus to the most essential aspects of the topic that relate directly to the thesis.
E. Argument – methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
F. Depth - beginning and ending – Impose limits that allow for a specific goal to be reached. These limits may be of time, place, or level of complexity.
G. Linking sentence – What is of first priority? How will this paragraph state what the first priority is, and smoothly connect to the next paragraph?
Behavioral and social sciences require thinking that is critical, and writing that is clear and precise. In this case, critical does not mean negative. Critical means to subject issues, events, or individuals to a criteria based judgment - in short, a balanced analysis.
After receiving a topic from your professor, you will complete a two to three page typed logical, focused essay on the topical question. Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support, and be in the standard essay form.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
• You will have a single question provided. STICK TO THE QUESTION.
• Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Then, you will complete a five paragraph (two to three paged) typed logical, focused essay on the question. Be clear and precise.
• Your answer must be completely developed, and have factual support represented by specific examples from the texts, and be in the STANDARD ESSAY FORM (single-spaced or double-spaced).
• Use of the text(s) counts. Spelling, grammar, and clarity count.
• Cite your sources. This means show me where in your books you draw your examples and facts.
An example is: “The discussion of Bacon’s rebellion is a good example of the wealthy manipulating the political economy of the colonies against poorer and non-white colonists (Zinn: 39).”
• You will have a bibliography that will include five (5) sources, and may be in any standard (complete) format – such as APA or AHA. All sources will be cited in the body of your work. NO ENCYCLOPEDIA / WIKIPEDIA SOURCES! You can find examples in any style manual such as Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
• REMEMBER: Type the topical question at the top of your response essay. Remember to stick to the question.
• Bring your typed essay to class. These essays MUST be stapled and labeled with name and class / section. Your answers are due no later than Thursday.
• You will not receive a grade for about two weeks from submitting your midterm. I will notify you of your grade in class. You should keep track of your course grade – including your total of weekly work. I caution you to be patient.
ESSAY FORMAT
A. Thesis – The all-important first paragraph. Remember to Define your thesis – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important? Also, provide an Argument or methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
B. Body – 3 body paragraphs. This should be a point by point expansion of the thesis. Each paragraph should reflect and aspect of fact that is analyzed and related to the established argument. Each area of analysis should be followed by a source note that tells where your research was done. Using a standard system (footnote, endnotes, or parenthetic notes) cite your sources.
C. Summary / Conclusion – The final paragraph of the paper should draw together the essential features of body into a summarized synthesis of exactly how they support the thesis. In addition, this portion of the piece should conclude or direct the reader to come to a conclusion on the meaning of the paper.
D. Bibliography – This is a formal scholarly exercise in acknowledgement of the resources used to write the paper. A standard format should be used that originates from a specific academic area or discipline. Some samples can be found in writer’s style manuals. This assignment should have five (5) sources. No source from an un-refereed source allowed. This means that if you cannot find author credits and/or an institution that sponsors the source, then it is a questionable source.
Developing An Analytical Thesis For The ALL IMPORTANT 1st Paragraph
Clear and precise writing is writing that is focused, using precise word choices for a specific and particular effect. Focus comes from structure and implies actively choosing a direction, and sticking to it. In this exercise, the goal is to construct an analytical thesis that is the 1st paragraph of your essay. Generally follow the outline below in your first draft(s).
A. Consider the Reader – Who is to be reached, and what is to be accomplished? Continually think of how to do this. Don’t assume that you are writing for me. Seek to inform and engage the reader.
B. Topical sentence – In general, who, what, when, where is the paper about?
C. Define thesis - Thesis sentence – Specifically what will be analyzed, and why is it important?
D. Working environment – Narrow down the focus to the most essential aspects of the topic that relate directly to the thesis.
E. Argument – methodology – What analytical tools are being used? Comparison? Contrast? Evaluation? Examination? What set of criteria form the basis of judgment? (theoretical orientation).
F. Depth - beginning and ending – Impose limits that allow for a specific goal to be reached. These limits may be of time, place, or level of complexity.
G. Linking sentence – What is of first priority? How will this paragraph state what the first priority is, and smoothly connect to the next paragraph?