Essay 2: Illustration Essay

Prompt: "David & Goliath" explores the different factors that might explain why an apparent "underdog" could become very successful. Using specific examples from the text, illustrate how Malcolm Gladwell highlights persistence as an important factor for success in "David and Goliath," and discuss how persistence may help transform a disadvantage into an experience that could help a person succeed.

Purpose:

Evaluate and infer information within text
Interpret meaning of recently assigned readings
Organizational pattern as expressed through thesis
Develop essay writing ability
Compose thesis statement
Apply formal writing process prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, and reflection.
Compose and organize written work for coherence, sentence variety, and clarity.
Demonstrate conventions of standard written English.
Exhibit illustration style
Document sources according to MLA

The purpose of this assignment is to offer students the opportunity to apply knowledge of Illustration essay form to the recent assigned readings of Malcom Gladwell. Students are encouraged to consider and cite the Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 4 from previously assigned readings from Gladwell’s work to construct an illustration essay, drawing upon textual evidence. Students will evaluate and infer information from within the assigned text, express a clear thesis, and apply the formal writing process while exhibiting the illustration style. The skills involved in this assignment are important for students’ critical thinking, detail orientation, documentation, and time management.

Skills:

The purpose of this assignment is to help you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course:

- Evaluation of information within a text
- Interpretation of assigned readings
- Thesis development
- Essay writing ability
- Application of formal writing process
- Composition and organization for logical coherence
- Utilization of Standard Written English

Tasks:

Students should expect to read and annotate assigned readings in a timely manner. Once students have engaged with the prewriting process, students will outline, draft, edit, and revise illustration essay. The various steps in the overall writing process will be appropriately spaced allowing for students to complete various steps within a reasonable amount of time. Students should utilize afforded time in a manner that adheres to the overall process. Students are encouraged to consult with tutoring services and instructor during drafting process. Students will engage in peer-review prior to submission of final draft. Upon submission of final draft, students will write a reflection upon previous writing process, affording the opportunity to recognize areas for further development and success.

Criteria for Success:

The finished product should adhere to assignment guidelines, clearly state the thesis with at least three main points, offer original and insightful ideas, offer meaningful focused commentary, develop major ideas in a logical manner while meeting or exceeding assignment length requirements, effectively organize essay in a coherent manner, express a consideration of sentence style and syntax, and demonstrate a consideration of editing and revision in accordance with Standard Written English and respective writing convention. Students may consider previously assigned readings and course discussion for examples of meeting above criteria.

Excellent work may differ from adequate work firstly through level of engagement with assigned readings, then through level of participation within the overall writing process. Students should expect to constantly edit and revise on multiple occasions throughout the overall writing process. Excellent work will likely benefit from peer, tutor, and instructor feedback.

Throughout this process students may consider if they have:

Completed assigned readings
Annotated assigned readings
Developed outlined essay at appropriate time prior to rough draft
Engaged with peer-feedback
Completed satisfactory rough draft at appropriate time
Consulted with tutors and/or instructor
Edited and revised throughout writing process
Completed work in a timely manner

Parameters:
• 3-4 pages in length (5 well-developed paragraphs of 5-7 sentences each)
• Discuss at least 3 specific examples from the text.
• When discussing an example, use an in-text citation.
• Grading: ENG 098 Essay Rubric

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