Essay #1: Epiphany Narrative

Module1.2Assignment

The purpose of the epiphany narrative is to let you practice a style of writing that is often generative for developing academic research writing topics. This is our first essay for the course. This assignment is due by 11:59 PM on 3/12 and requires the submission of either a Word document or a PDF. Remember that the University Writing Center can be an excellent resource for getting feedback and consultation on your writing.

Instructions

Essay #1: Epiphany Narrative

In 750-1000 words, write a compelling, insightful, and logically organized narrative that shows how you suddenly came to realize a systemic problem in the world today. When deciding on your focus, start with your own experience, but make sure that there is a wider issue involved, one that affects others. For example, you may have suddenly realized that one of your feet is larger than the other, but that’s just a fact of nature, and it will not suffice for this assignment.

In contrast, let’s say that in talking with classmates and comparing your backgrounds, you realized (as I did when I was a college student) that your socioeconomic status clearly played a role in your preparation for college. Since poverty is a systemic issue that negatively impacts our educational system, a narrative/memoir/testimonio about your experience going to an underfunded school would serve as a meaningful first-hand look at this important societal issue. In other words, your lived experience is valuable evidence to support a thesis about a societal problem.

It is important to note at the outset that Essay #1 can and actually should inform your subsequent papers. For example, Essay #2 is a Causal Argument, which means you’re looking at the cause of a phenomenon (i.e. the causes of Grade D and F schools) and/or the effects of a phenomenon (i.e. the effect of attending a Grade D and F school). Essay #3 is an IMRaD, so you will be using primary research in order to investigate an issue (such as investigating whether there is a link between family income and academic achievement). Finally, Essay #4 is an argument in which you offer a solution to a problem (such as a proposal on how to ensure greater equity in our schools regardless of the socioeconomic level of its students).

Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have questions. I look forward to reading your narratives.

Formal Requirements:

• Must be at least 750 words
• Must use MLA or APA style
• 12-point font, Times New Roman
• Double-spaced, with no extra margins in between paragraphs

Your submission will be sent to Turnitin to be electronically reviewed for plagiarism.

Grading

Your assignment will be evaluated using the attached rubric.

Your assignment must comply with the Texas State Honor Code. Explore

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Essays (1)

Essays (1)CriteriaRatingsPtsFocus, purpose, and thesis (Controlling idea)

20 pts

Full Marks

Thesis is clear, engaging, and fully developed. Thesis is appropriate to the assigned topic.

18 pts

Proficient

Thesis is competent and well-developed; represents sound and adequate understanding of the assigned topic.

15 pts

Developing

Thesis includes intelligible ideas, but may be weakly supported, unclear, or too broad.

/ 20 pts

Ideas, support, and development (Evidence)

20 pts

Full Marks

Consistent evidence with originality and depth of ideas; ideas work together as a unified whole; main points are sufficiently supported with evidence; support is valid and specific.

18 pts

Proficient

Ideas are sufficiently supported; support is sound, logical, and valid.

15 pts

Developing

Main points are indirectly or loosely supported; support is general, nonspecific, and/or irrelevant.

/ 20 pts

Vocabulary

10 pts

Full Marks

Accurate and effective use of professions terminology, nomenclature, and/or jargon.

9 pts

Proficient

Good use of professions terminology, nomenclature, and/or jargon.

7 pts

Developing

Minimal use of professions terminology, nomenclature, and/or jargon.

/ 10 pts

Structure, organization

20 pts

Full Marks

Organization is sequential and appropriate to assignment, paragraphs are well developed and appropriately divided; transitions are smooth and effective.

18 pts

Proficient

Organization is logical; paragraphs are complete and focused; transitions are evident but may lack cohesion.

15 pts

Developing

Organization is confusing or disjointed; paragraphs are simple, disconnected, and/or formulaic; transitions are missing, inappropriate, or illogical.

/ 20 pts

Audience, tone, and point-of-view

15 pts

Full Marks

Clear discernment of distinctive audience, tone, and point-of-view appropriate to the assignment.

14 pts

Proficient

Effective and accurate awareness of general audience; tone and point-of-view satisfactory.

13 pts

Developing

Little or inconsistent sense of audience related to assignment purpose; tone and point-of-view not refined or consistent.

/ 15 pts

Grammar and mechanics

15 pts

Full Marks

Virtually free of punctuation, spelling, and capitalization errors. Appropriate format and presentation for the assignment.

14 pts

Proficient

Contains occasional punctuation, spelling, and capitalization errors. Few formatting errors. Format and presentation is appropriate for the assignment.

13 pts

Developing

Contains frequent punctuation, spelling, and capitalization errors. Formatting is inconsistent and/or inappropriate for the assignment.

/ 15 pts

Total Points: 0