Rubric for "Communicating as a Professional" Essay: This is what the content grade is based upon.
(Since some of you asked: Length is at least 2 FULL pages to three full pages.)
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"Are you the man who pays people to sing into a tin can?"
Last Updated 7/10/2020
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Introductory paragraphs (links to Purdue University OWL). See also W-4e in Little Seagull Handbook (1 pt.)
· Set the hook
· Narrow the focus/provide needed background info, including a paraphrase of the thesis statement of the WaPo article "Why Can't College Graduates Write Coherent Prose?" correctly attribute or cited (Note: In order to read the article, you may have to switch off your browseer's ad blocker if you have turned on that feature at some point.)
· Clearly state the thesis
o A thesis statement is NOT an announcement of intention
o States the subject matter
o Is unified
o Clearly indicates the writer’s opinion
o Contain the “key words” if possible
Body paragraph 1 (1 pt.)
- Documented paragraph paraphrasing the article by Susan Adams and the article by Kyle Weins
- Has a clear topic sentence
- Gives their best arguments for good grammar in the professional workplace, at least four examples from each source
- Includes parenthetical citations for both articles
- It is clear which information came from which source, without a parenthetical citation for every sentence
- It is well edited
Body paragraph 2 (1 pt.)
- A good transition that connects the first body paragraph to this one
- A strong topic sentence
- Documented paragraph drawing inferences and extrapolating information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook's entry which describes the professional job you wish to hold in the future
- Paragraph should describe the communication skills necessary to succeed in this professional field, including the grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and communication media required in the field you wish to enter
- Includes parenthetical citation from the O.O.H. source
- It is well edited
Body paragraph 3 (1 pt.)
- Begins with a good transition, which connects the topic of body paragraph 3 to the topic of body paragraphs 1 and 2
- A strong topic sentence
- Application of readings to personal goals: The third body paragraph discusses what you can do on your own as well as how this class, specifically, and college, in general, will help you to develop at least three specific communication skills which will be expected of you in your future profession
- It outlines a specific plan for each of the communication skills you need to improve. It tells HOW you will improve these skills--what resources you will use, specifically how you will practice developing the skills you need. "I will take a speech class" does not mean that you will necessarily improve your ability and confidence as a public speaker, for instance. What you DO in that class, however, is likely to help you improve, so what is it that you would DO that will enable your improvement?
- These will vary, depending on your career goals, but could or should include information about improving or further developing grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking and communication media skills
- It is well edited
Concluding paragraph (links to the Guide to Grammar and Writing). See also W-4e in Little Seagull Handbook (.5 pt.)
· Must include one direct quote--the one you think is MOST relevant to your thesis statement--from the WaPo article "Why Can't College Graduates Write Coherent Prose?" Correctly cite the source.
· Can paraphrase your main points
· Can comment again on the subject matter
· Can call for action on the part of the reader
Now, use this page: Revision and Editing Checklist from the Guide to Grammar and Writing
Works cited section (.5 pt.)
- Find the correct MLA models for your sources using the Little Seagull Handbook
- View the sample researched paper at the bottom of the Table of Contents page of the "MLA Research" section of the handbook, and study the works cited page as a model.
Make it ready for grading: (1 pt. for editing/applying assistive technology)
- The whole essay is spell-checked and grammar-checked with both M.S. Word and Grammarly
- It is style checked using Paper Rater. Print out your report to submit with the essay.
- It is plagiarism checked and grammar checked using TurnItIn (in Canvas)
- Second-person point of view is purged from the paper since the paper is about YOU and not about your readers
- You have used the Revision and Editing Checklist from the Guide to Grammar and Writing
- It is proofread and "aurally" edited using the "Speak" function in M.S. word
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