2. Preparing the final draft
Work through the slides to prepare your essay for the in-class
writing workshop. The essay you bring to class should be ready to
submit for a grade.
3. The Beginning
Have I begun my essay with hook?
Did I begin with a scenario, statistics, a research
study, or an analogy?
Did I use a comparison to other places where the
solution has been tried successfully, give a preview
of the negative consequences if the problem goes
unsolved, or lead with a criticism of an alternative
solution?
Or, did I use another appropriate beginning?
4. Clarifying Your Purpose
and Audience
Have I determined what my readers already know about
this problem? If my readers are unfamiliar with it, have I
clearly explained the problem? If my readers know about
the problem but do not realize how serious it is, have I
convinced them that it is serious?
Have I gained readers’ enthusiastic support? Have I
convince them that solving the problem is in everyone’s
interest, as O’Malley and Kornbluh try to do?
Have I presented myself so that I seem both reasonable
and authoritative?
5. Defining the Problem
Have I demonstrated that the problem really exists?
Have I presented statistics, as Kornbluh does?
Have I shown the seriousness and urgency of the
problem? Have I stressed the negative consequences?
Have I used quotations or cited research to stress the
problem’s importance?
Have I speculated about the problem’s causes or history
to help readers understand why it needs attention? Can I
use comparison and contrast, as Kornbluh does?
Have I devoted enough space to defining the problem? Is
my entire description of the problem before the thesis, as
it should be?
6. Describing the Proposed
Solution
Have I described my solution so that it looks like
the best way to proceed?
Have I given examples to show how solutions like
mine have worked? Or have I focused on my
reasons to support my solution, as O’Malley does?
Have I made the solution seem easy to implement,
as O’Malley does, or have I acknowledged that the
solution will require effort and compromise, as
Kornbluh does?
7. Counterarguing Readers’
Objections
Have I included the best objections?
Do I need to accommodate or concede certain
objections by modifying my proposal, as O’Malley
does?
Have I supported any refutations I have made?
Have I cited statistics or research studies to do so?
Should I get more evidence?
8. Alternative Solutions
Have I mentioned the best alternative solutions?
Have I supported my refutation of alternative
solutions? Have I argued that they are too expensive
and time-consuming, or that they will not really
solve the problem?
Have I rejected these other solutions without
seeming to criticize their proponents?
Have I provided reasons, as O’Malley does, or
marshaled statistics, as Kornbluh does?
9. The Ending
Have I included an appropriate ending?
Have I ended by summarizing my solution and its
advantages,
Have I ended with a scenario suggesting the
consequences of a failure to solve the problem?
Have I ended with an inspiring call to action? Might a
shift to humor or satire provide an effective ending?
Have I reminded readers of something special about the
problem, as Kornbluh does when she urges that an
award be given to the companies that lead the way?
10. Homework
Revise your draft.
Bring one clean, hard copy
to class. An Electronic Copy
will not do for this exercise!
Your essay should be in
MLA format
It should include a
works cited page
Self Assessment Due before
our next face to face meeting
