Assignment 5
ENG 130: Literature and Comp
ENG 130: Argumentative Research Essay
This assignment focuses on your ability to: create effective thesis statements; synthesize
research, text support, and personal analyses into a cohesive essay; defend an argument; properly
citie researched material in APA format.
The purpose of completing this assignment is: as a student, career professional, and individual,
learning how to defend your side of an argument with data, experience, and valid information is of
paramount importance. As a student at Post, use this assignment to master the objectives listed
above, particularly APA citation and reference page formatting. You need to know APA and
argumentation techniques!
______________________________________________________________
Prompt (what will you be writing about):
Which conflict does Wilson use most to drive (bring forth, move forward) all the other
elements of the story?
Choose ONE that you feel is more apparent and easier to defend than the others.
o Troy vs Society
o Troy vs Himself
o Troy vs Family
o Troy vs Death
Instructions (how to get it done):
You have completed research on August Wilson, his life, and his plays.
You have completed reading/viewing Fences by August Wilson.
You have read the resources on Conflict in this unit.
Choose the conflict area that you think will have the strongest text support.
Create a thesis statement that clearly states your stance on why this conflict is the driving
force of the play and how you’re going to prove it (see “Helpful Hints” section below).
Research needed sources so that you have at least 3 outside sources that are valid and
reliable.
Be sure also to include text examples from the Fences, the play.
Defend your thesis in an introduction, at least three supporting sections, and a conclusion.
Check in with your instructor with any and all questions.
Requirements:
Length and format: 3-4 pages.
You should have at least three outside sources plus text examples from the play.
The title page and reference page are also required, but they should not be factored into the
3-4 page length of the essay.
It should also be double spaced, written in Times New Roman, in 12 point font and with 1 inch
margins. The essay should conform to APA formatting and citation style.
Use the third-person, objective voice, avoiding personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” etc.
Use APA format for in-text citations and references when using outside sources and textual
evidence.
Please be cautious about plagiarism. Make sure to use in-text citations for direct quotes,
paraphrases, and new information.
Helpful Notes:
Thes
is:
o Your thesis is the response to the prompt question plus the supporting areas that you
will be using to defend your argument. Be sure to have a thesis that clearly states
which conflict you feel is the most important and drives the other conflicts.
o Your thesis could begin with, “In the play, Fences, August Wilson uses the conflict of
__________ to drive the other conflicts and elements of the story as evidenced by….
Sources and evidence:
o Be sure to use things that you have learned about Wilson’s life and his writings. For
example, if you are analyzing Troy and his father’s conflict, you could bring in
information that you researched about Wilson’s relationship with his own father.
o Include direct quotations from the play. To cite a direct quote from a play, the format
is:
“quotation” (Wilson,1985, act #, scene #, line #).
OR
As Wilson (1985) writes, “quote” (act#, scene #, line#).
o Use at least three outside sources. Two of them could be from your previous research
essay. Be sure to include all of these in your reference page.
Source: Fences by August Wilson (pages 1270-1331)
Argumentative Research Essay Rubric
Does Not Meet
Expectations
0-11
Below
Expectations
12-13
Needs
Improvement
14-15
Satisfactory
16-17
Meets
Expectations
18-20
Introduction Introduction is not
present.
Background details
are a random
collection of
information,
unclear, or not
related to the topic.
Introduction is
attempted and
explains the
background, but
may lack detail.
Introduction
explains the
background,
including an
overview of the
essay’s main
points.
Introduction uses
interesting
anecdotes,
questions, or other
information to
build interest.
Many to all main
points are logically
related and
developed.
Organization Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper does
not use
paragraphs. Topic
and/or transition
sentences are not
used
Writing may have
little discernible
organization, but
some details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
The paper uses
paragraphs
ineffectively. Topic
and transition
sentences are
used inadequately.
Writing has
adequate
discernible
organization.
Paragraphs are
generally used
effectively. Topic
and Transition
sentences are
present in some of
the sections
Writing is
organized and
details are placed
in a logical order.
Paragraphs are
mostly used
effectively. Topic
and Transition
sentences are
used effectively.
Writing is
effective,
purposeful, and
well-organized.
Paragraphs are
used effectively.
Topic and
Transition
sentences add to
the understanding
and flow of the
essay.
Persuasiveness Fails to develop
arguments.
Some arguments
are developed, but
may be missing
one or need further
elaboration.
Develops most
arguments.
Satisfactorily
develops
arguments.
Expertly and fully
develops
arguments.
Evidence and
Support
Does not include
text support
and/or text
support is not
cited.
Very little evidence
is given and used
in the essay
properly. Research
evidence is not
incorporated.
Evidence may not
relate to the thesis
statement.
Evidence is cited
but not with the
proper formatting.
Some evidence is
used from one
research source
and/or evidence is
somewhat related
to the thesis
statement.
Evidence may or
may not always
cited properly.
Evidence is used
from two outside
sources and/or
evidence is mostly
tied to the thesis
statement and
used properly and
is cited properly.
Evidence is
integrated from at
least three outside
sources and/or
evidence is used
effectively and
cited properly.
Integration of
Knowledge
The essay
demonstrates that
the author has not
fully understood
and applied
concepts learned
in the course.
The essay
demonstrates gaps
in knowledge of
applied concepts
learned in the
course.
The essay
demonstrates that
the author, to a
certain extent,
understands and
has applied
concepts learned
in the course.
The essay
demonstrates that
the author, for the
most part,
understands and
has applied
concepts learned
in the course.
Some of the
conclusions,
however, are not
The essay
demonstrates that
the author fully
understands and
has applied
concepts learned
in the course.
Concepts are
integrated into the
writer’s own
insights. The
writer provides
supported in the
body of the paper.
concluding
remarks that show
analysis and
synthesis of ideas.
APA
Format
APA format is not
followed.
Errors evident
throughout all of
the areas: 1 inch
margins, correctly
formatted title
page, correctly
formatted
reference page,
double spacing,
Times New
Roman,12 font.
Errors evident in
three to four of the
areas of: 1 inch
margins, correctly
formatted title
page, correctly
formatted
reference page,
double spacing,
Times New
Roman, 12 font.
Errors evident in
one to two of the
areas of: 1 inch
margins, correctly
formatted title
page, correctly
formatted
reference page,
double spacing,
Times New
Roman, 12 font.
Free of errors in: 1
inch margins,
correctly formatted
title page,
correctly formatted
reference page,
double spacing,
Times New
Roman, 12 font.
Grammar and
Mechanics
Grammar and
mechanics’ errors
make the essay
incomprehensible.
Grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and
mechanics errors
occur throughout
document. Word
choices are seldom
academic.
Sentence structure
may be illogical or
unclear.
Several errors in
grammar,
punctuation,
spelling and
mechanics
present. Word
choice reveals
some
understanding of
academic
language
requirements.
Many sentence
structure issues
exist.
Some spelling,
grammar,
punctuation and
mechanical errors
are evident.
Academic
language is
upheld. The
sentence structure
is often logical and
clear so that
relationships
among ideas are
established.
Free of
punctuation,
spelling, grammar,
and other
mechanical errors.
Consistent use of
academic word
choices.
Sentence
structure is mostly
logical and clear.
*A zero can be earned if the above criteria are not met.
*Plagiarism will result in a zero.