1. ENG 101 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 2: Responding to a Text
Important Dates and Requirements
Pre-Writing Due: March 4 (at class time)
Outline Due: March 6 (at class time)
Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: March 6 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: Friday, March 8 (by 11:59 pm)
Paper Due to Instructor: March 11 (by 5:00 pm)
Length: 900-1300 words*
Sources Required: Two—the text you are responding to and one
additional source from the library databases*
Submission Methods: Hard copy (to me), electronic copy to TurnitIn
* Essays that are too short, too long, or don’t meet the source requirements (see below for information
on the additional source) will receive half credit.
Your first essay responded to a film; your second essay will respond to a text—this is an individual
assignment. Here are your essay guidelines—if any are not met, your grade may be penalized:
1.) Choose ONE of the following texts to respond to (some are in your Norton Field Guide and
some are on D2L–any essay written on a text that is not on this list will receive a zero):
―What’s the Matter with Kids Today?‖ – Amy Goldwasser (NFG, pgs. 666-669)
―Whodunit – The Media?‖ – Maggie Cutler (NFG, pgs. 684-690)
―Facebook in a Crowd‖ – Hal Niedzviecki (NFG, pgs. 958-960)
―2b or Not 2b?‖ – David Crystal (D2L, pgs. 335-346)
―Is Google Making Us Stupid?‖ – Nicholas Carr (NFG, pgs. 961-973)
2.) Identify the text’s primary claim(s)—this is what you will respond to. If there are multiple
claims, choose which will be the focus of your essay.
Remember, the body of your essay should move back and forth between the text’s ideas
and your own.
3.) Decide whether you agree, disagree, or both simultaneously with the author’s claim(s)—and
remember, you must be able to add to the conversation.
4.) Locate one (and only one) additional source to support your claim—this source must come from
either SIRSIssues Researcher or Academic OneFile, two of the HGTC library’s databases.
5.) Quote from each source (the text and the additional article) at least once in your essay; you may
paraphrase and summarize additionally if you wish.

2. 6.) Follow MLA format, which means you will have a Works Cited page with the text and the
additional source listed.
Hint: #7 on pg. 443 of your Norton textbook will help you cite the text; #34 on pg. 456
(and the full-page example on pg. 457) will help with your additional source.
7.) Follow the additional guidelines listed on the rubric (included on the last page here)—this lists
the expectations of each component of the essay.
Helpful Textbook Chapters for This Assignment
They Say I Say : Chapter 2 (summarizing), Chapter 3 (quoting), Chapter 4 (responding—thesis
statement), Chapter 5 (voice markers), Chapter 8 (transitions)
Norton Field Guide: Chapters 1-5 (rhetorical situation), Chapter 46 (quoting, paraphrasing,
summarizing), Chapter 32 (arguing), Chapter 9 (arguing), Chapter 30 (thesis, title, topic
sentences, etc.)
If necessary and/or helpful, there are additional handouts and sample essays available on D2L—we will
discuss some in class, but use the resources on D2L to help you complete this essay.
Additional Assignments Required:
Due dates for these assignments are listed above and on the course syllabus. Remember, they are due in
class on the date listed and are accepted via hard (printed) copy only; in the event you are absent on
one of the due dates, you need to contact me by the end of that day to discuss submission and late
penalties. The point value for each item is listed here and on the rubric; points may be deducted if all
requirements are not met. You will also turn these items back in with the final copy of your essay.
Pre-writing (15 points):On D2L, there is a ―Pre-writing Worksheet‖ for this (Essay 2) assignment.
Print and complete this worksheet, answering all questions. (You may handwrite your answers.)
This worksheet also requires you to annotate a copy of your chosen text and turn it in to
me—details on worksheet.
Outline (10 points):On D2L, there is an ―Outline: Worksheet‖ for this (Essay 2) assignment. Print and
complete this worksheet, answering all questions. (You may handwrite your answers.)
Reminder of “Annotated” Definition:We discussed and practiced annotating in class, and there is a
description (and example) of it in your textbook as well. You need to annotate both the text you are
analyzing as well as the additional source (from the library database) you are using. For the text itself,
you can copy it from your textbook or find the full text online; as long as it’s the same article, the page
numbers and format do not have to match (but make sure you cite from the textbook version in your
actual essay!) The article can simply be printed from the database. In terms of annotating, there is no
―length requirement‖ or ―required number of annotations‖ as long as it’s evident that you have carefully
considered the text and your reactions and/or response(s) to it.

3. Student Name: _________________________ PeerMark Grade: ___/20
Essay 2: Responding to a Text (100 points)
Scale: 10 = perfect/excellent, 8 = good, 6 = fair, 0 = poor or missing
10 8 6 0
Introduction summarizes text fairly, accurately, and relevantly, states text’s
claim,interests reader, and is helpful in building to thesis statement
Thesis statement is clearly responds to the text’s claim by agreeing,
disagreeing (or both), and is the last sentence of the introduction
Each body paragraph includes a topic sentence that outlines that paragraph
and connects to the thesis
Body paragraphs are appropriate, concrete, and well-developed; reasons for
agreeing/disagreeing are clearly stated and logical
Quotes(from both the text and the additional source) are formatted correctly,
properly framed (introduced and discussed), and effective in supporting thesis
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas, adequately summarizes essay, and
leaves readers with a final thought
Paragraphs and sentences are properly ―connected‖ by transitions, pointing
words, and/or repeated key terms/phrases
Vocabulary, language use, and word choices are correct and appropriate
Note: You should avoid second-person (―you‖)!!
Grammar, spelling, and mechanics demonstrate correct use of Standard Edited
American English
MLA Format is followed throughout essay (including Works Cited page)
* Please consult your essay for details; if you do not understand a comment I made, please don’t
hesitate to come see me during office hours to discuss your essay.
Additional Assignments
In addition to turning these items in on the due dates listed
on the course outline, you must also return them with the
final hard copy of your essay—put everything in your Essay Grade =_____/100
folder. Your may lose points for any items missing.
Pre-Writing = _____/15
Outline = _____/10
Other Items You Must Turn In:
These items are also due with the final copy of your essay;
for each missing (or incomplete), your essay may be
penalized up to 20 points.
□ Copy of this rubric (print and turn in)
□ Additional source used for support that has been
annotated (print and turn in)