Essay #3 Eng 101FA15

Causal Analysis

Directions: Read one of the following essays: Read one of the following essays: Caroline

Knapp’s “Why We Keep Stuff,” Chris Mooney’s “The Science of Why We Don’t Believe

Science,” or Luscombe & Stinchfield’s “Why We Flirt.” Write a 3 – 4 page essay discussing the

effectiveness of the author’s cause and effect techniques. Follow the writing process by

completing each of the following in order: prewriting, planning, rough draft, revising, and

publishing. Evidence of each stage of the writing process must be submitted. MLA format must

be followed. Each paragraph must be a minimum of seven to ten sentences.

The introduction of the essay must begin with a quote, an example/story, surprising

fact/idea, strong opinion, or ask a question. The introduction must be a minimum of seven to ten

sentences and end with a thesis statement that clearly fits the size of the assignment; states a

single main point/position about the topic; is specific; can be shown, explained, or proven; and is

a forceful statement.

Each body paragraph must begin with a clear topic sentence and end with a strong

concluding sentence. The ideas must be arranged in a logical order as outlined by the thesis of

the essay. Support your ideas by quoting directly from the source. Topics to highlight include

purpose, patterns, reasoning errors, ethics, and thesis & details. Not all topics need to be

addressed in the essay: it is better to extensively analyze a few of the elements. Each body

paragraph must be a minimum of seven to ten sentences

The conclusion of the essay refers back to the thesis without direct restatement. The

conclusion summarizes the main points of the essay and also makes a further observation or

point. The conclusion must also link back to the introduction by re-asking and then answering a

question, finishing the example/story, using another quote, or using the same structure as in the

introduction. The conclusion must be a minimum of seven to ten sentences

Grammar and mechanics will be graded for accuracy. Particular attention will be given to

topics previously covered in class. A – 25 pts. B – 21 pts. C – 19 pts. D – 16 pts. F – 14 pts.

Writing process;

MLA format

All parts are

submitted. Final

copy follows MLA

format.

1 component is

missing from

writing process or

MLA format.

2 components are

missing from

writing process or

MLA format.

3 components are

missing from

writing process or

MLA format.

4 or more

components are

missing from

writing process or

MLA format.

A – 15 pts. B – 13 pts. C – 11 pts. D – 10 pts. F – 8 pts.

Introduction All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics

are weak or

missing

3 characteristics

are weak or

missing

4 or more

characteristics are

weak or missing

Body Paragraphs All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics

are weak or

missing

3 characteristics

are weak or

missing

4 or more

characteristics are

weak or missing

Conclusion All characteristics

apparent

1 characteristic is

weak or missing

2 characteristics

are weak or

missing

3 characteristics

are weak or

missing

4 or more

characteristics are

weak or missing

A – 30 pts. B – 26 pts. C – 23 pts. D – 20 pts. F – 17 pts.

Grammar &

Mechanics

less than 2 errors

in grammar or

mechanics

3-4 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

5-6 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

7-8 errors in

grammar and

mechanics

9 or more errors in

grammar and

mechanics

EARNED: 100 Points Total