Read ALL Information & Instructions First!
Once you click on the link for Timed Writing the exam will begin. With that in mind, do not click “Take the Quiz” until you are absolutely ready! Make sure to hit “Submit Quiz” when you are done. Make sure all other windows and Internet pages are closed before you start the essay. Make sure you read and understand all instructions before you begin. You can find all the information you need to complete this assignment in Modules 9-12, so please review that module before starting this assignment. It’s important to understand the topic and the available options concerning the completion of this exam.
You will have THREE opportunities to complete your essay.
Instructions:
Once you click on the link for Timed Writing Essay #3, the assessment will begin. With that in mind, do not click “Take the Quiz” until you are absolutely ready! Make sure to hit “Submit Quiz” when you are done.
Make sure all other windows and Internet pages are closed before you start the essay.
You will have the 3 opportunities to complete your essay. You will have 90 minutes ( each time) to plan, write, and proofread an essay on the topic provided in the assessment. Your topic will be provided once you begin the assignment.
Make sure you read and understand all instructions before you begin. The assignment will be open book and you are expected to use specific examples from the A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Using in-text citations is important; however, you do not need to create a Works Cited page.
In your essay, you should introduce the subject and then either:
- explain the subject you selected or
- take a position about your subject and support it.
Your instructor will pay special attention to whether you:
- Introduce a clear thesis or main idea
- Develop your thesis logically and in sufficient detail
- Use well-formed sentences and paragraphs
- Conclude your essay
- Use language appropriately and effectively
- Follow standard practices in spelling, punctuation, and grammar
Take a few minutes to think about what you want to say before you start writing. Leave yourself a few minutes at the end of the time period to proofread and make corrections.
Compose single-spaced block paragraphs. DO NOT USE THE TAB KEY WHILE COMPLETING THIS ASSIGNMENT!
You may write this essay in 1st person, “I,” or 3rd person, “he, she, they,” but you must be consistent. Do not jump around between perspectives. You may not write in 2nd person, “you.”
Remember, your essay must include the following:
- Title
- Clear thesis statement in the introduction
- Logical organization
- An introduction paragraph (5+ sentences)
- 2-3 body paragraphs (5+ sentences each)
- A concluding paragraph (5+ sentences)
Timed Writing (Shakespeare) Evaluation Criteria
Students: Please understand how I will review and evaluate your Timed Writing Essays (Shakespeare) due Sunday, March 31, 11:59 pm. I will consider the following:
1. Did you follow the Directions? If not, I will go no further; there is no need! This cannot be a satisfactory paper.
2. If you followed the directions, I will proceed: I check for correct MLA formatting and documentation throughout your paper, including proper header, margins, spacing and research techniques. Did you use updated 9th edition MLA? (5 %)
3. Next, effective Essay Structure: Do you have an effective Thesis Sentence that is accurately placed in the Introduction developed in the Body Paragraphs (at least 3 body paragraphs), and a Concluding Paragraph? Generally 5-12 sentences per paragraph. (5 %)
4. I then review for effective College- level Grammar, which includes Sentence Variety, Comma Usage, effective use of semicolon ( if you are not comfortable using semicolon, don’t), correct and consistent person (POV); remember that this is an argument (first or third person point of view must be used for this essay) with credible support— no personal opinions, no general “you”. (5 %)
5. Finally, have you created an effective Argument? That is the Strategy of Writing on which this paper is based. Your paper should not be a narrative nor a summary. Remember our focus in this class is on CRITICAL THINKING… this is your chance to shine. CREATIVE THINKING is also valued, i.e., the way or the “spin” by which your argument is formed in your thesis sentence and developed in your body paragraphs. (5 %)
There you have it… THIS ESSAY IS WORTH A TOTAL OF 20 POINTS POSSIBLE!
My comments will be brief if at all. Once your papers are graded, I will encourage students to email me within 48 hours of returning them…I will respond during virtual student hours, only—of course—to discuss papers via email. It is always best if our “conference” focuses on your specific concerns stated to me in your emails. Online reviews are never as gratifying as face-to-face ones, but we do our best. Please review Email Etiquette…ha!
Remember that this is just one core assignment—worth only 20% of your final grade—you have more to follow. Complete it, and then we forge ahead…We can’t waste our energy going backwards.
Okay, then. Do the best you can and be sure to meet the Sunday, March 31, 11:59 pm deadline…please!
NO EXTENSIONS!!
Best,
Professor Feldman
Step One: Narrow the topic. (Prewriting)
A. If there is more than one topic available select the one you wish to write about.
B. Narrow the broad topic you have selected to a specific topic you will explore.
Example topic: A place that has hidden dangers.
To narrow the topic above, I would first need to identify the place I will discuss.
Example narrowed topic: The kitchen.
C. Brainstorm a list of the hidden dangers that are in the kitchen.
Example brainstorm of dangers: stove, fire, knives, shock, poison, burns,
D. Now that you have a list of dangers, you need to select three that you will discuss in your paper.
Example three reasons: fires, knives, and poison
E. Finally, you need to decide in what order you wish to discuss the three reasons in your paper.
You can choose to start with the most important and move to the least important or start with the least
important and move to the most important.
Example order: poison, knives, and fires
Step Two: Draft the thesis statement. (We are still prewriting!)
A. The thesis is one sentence that will state what you will be writing about—specifically.
It needs to include the topic, how you have narrowed it, and the three reasons in the order you will
discuss them.
Example thesis: The kitchen is a room with many hidden dangers because of the dangers of poison,
knives, and fires.
B. So the thesis above has all the vital information, but it doesn’t sound so good. Now you need to “smooth” it
out by revising.
Example revised thesis: The kitchen has the potential to be a dangerous place for children due to the
hazards of poison, knives, and fires.
This is better, but it could still use a bit more work. I think you get the idea….
Step Three: Begin writing.
Paragraph One: Introduction that includes thesis statement.
The first paragraph introduces the reader to the topic you will be discussing and how you will present it.
You can write this paragraph in many ways but a way that works well for many students is to start with
general statements about the topic and move to more specific statements, ending with the thesis
statement.
Paragraph Two: This paragraph will develop the first point in your thesis statement.
For the example above, you would explain how the poison in the kitchen is a hazard.
Paragraph Three: This paragraph will develop the second point in your thesis statement. For the example
above, you would explain how the knives in the kitchen are a hazard.
Paragraph Four: This paragraph will develop the third point in your thesis statement.
For the example above, I would explain how fires in the kitchen is a hazard.
Paragraph Five: Conclusion that includes a restating of the thesis.
The conclusion is a review of the essay, stated in a new way. DO NOT RECOPY THE THESIS INTO THE
LAST PARAGRAPH! No one wants to read the same sentence twice.
Step Four: Proofread and Revise.
During the timed writing assignment, you will probably not have time to recopy your paper. You should have
time, however, to re-read it and make some corrections. Also, be sure to give your essay a title.