On-line English 101

Essay Assignment #1: Persuasion—Illegal Immigrants

• Value: up to 100 points

• Format: MLA format (Please see the Sample Student Essay, pp. 289-291 in STWW for an example of formatting.

• Length: 400-500 words with the following content:

1. An introductory paragraph presenting the problem with a strong thesis sentence at its end.

2. Three to four effective reasons in support of your solution, each reason fully developed in its own paragraph.

3. A concluding paragraph recommending appropriate action.

Timeline

_____By no later than

Midnight Monday, April 24:

Post your completed rough draft to your Writing Group—25 points

_____By no later than

Midnight Friday, April 28:

Respond to the posted essays of each member of your Writing Group by offering constructive criticism and encouragement—25 points

_____By no later than

Midnight, Monday, May 1:

E-mail your completed essay to me for grading—up to 100 points

Sample Outline

Paragraph 1—Description of issue and thesis sentence

Paragraph 2—A first point for your position

Paragraph 3—A second point for your position

Paragraph 4—A third point for your position

Paragraph 5—A fourth point for your position (optional)

Paragraph 6—An elegant conclusion

Steps to follow

___1. Review the results of your inquiry into the issue of What Should We Do About Illegal Immigrants?

___2. Choose what you think would be the most workable solution to this problem. The solution you choose can be your own or one you have encountered through your inquiry.

___3. Develop sound reasons in support of your position. You will need three to four reasons to create the body of your essay.

___4. Write your thesis sentence—in this case it will be that the solution you propose is the most workable.

___5. Begin drafting your essay, developing each reason fully in its own paragraph.

Note: Do not quote or copy from any source. Let the development of your reasons be from your own sense of reasonableness and logic. We’ll cover the art of blending other people’s words and ideas into our writing in the next essay.

___6. Create your introduction by clearly explaining the issue at hand.

___7. Draft a conclusion appropriate to your essay.

___8. Set your draft aside occasionally to develop some distance. Then return to your draft to revise it.

___9. Put your draft through at least three full revisions before our submitting it to your Writing Group.

___10. Post your completed rough draft to your Writing Group no later than midnight Monday, April 24.

___11. Read and respond to the posted essays of other members of your Writing Group—be sure to keep responses constructive and helpful—by midnight Friday, April 28.

___12. Incorporate into another revision as many of your peer group’s comments as you think appropriate and revise again.

___13. Fine-tooth-comb your way through this revision to edit it.

___14. E-mail your final draft to me as a Microsoft Word attachment no later than midnight Monday, May 1.