This document provides the guidelines and requirements for Essay Assignment 2, a text analysis, in the ENG 101 course taught by Professor Bolton. Key due dates include: a pre-writing assignment on October 4, an outline on October 9, a draft on October 11, peer review completed by October 15, self-editing and proofreading worksheets due October 16 and 18 respectively, and the final paper due October 18. The essay must analyze one of several provided texts, be 900-1300 words using two sources, follow MLA format, and include various preparatory assignments.

1. ENG 101 – Bolton
Essay Assignment 2: Text Analysis
Important Dates and Requirements
Pre-Writing Due: Thursday, October 4 (at class time)
Outline Due: Tuesday, October 9 (at class time)
Draft Due: Thursday, October 11 (at class time)
Draft Due to TurnitIn for PeerMark: Friday, October 12 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Peer Review Must be Completed By: Monday, October 15 (by 11:59 p.m.)
Self-Editing Worksheet (and Draft) Due: Tuesday, October 16 (at class time)
Proofreading Worksheet (and Draft) Due: Thursday, October 18 (with final copy of essay)
Annotated Copies of Sources Due: Thursday, October 18 (with final copy of essay)
Paper Due to Instructor: Thursday, October 18 (by 5:00 p.m.)
Length: 900-1300 words*
Outside Sources Required: Two—the text you are analyzing 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 “Research
Component” below for information on the additional source) will receive half credit.
Note: You will also be required to turn in additional work that you complete as part of the writing
process—see next page for details.
Your second essay assignment will be a text analysis. Please follow these guidelines when constructing
your essay, and refer to the appropriate chapters in your textbook(s) for additional suggestions and
guidelines:
• Choose ONE of the following texts to analyze/respond to (some are in your Norton Field Guide
and some are on D2L (under “Content” – “Writing a Text Analysis” – “Additional Essay
Options”); – any essay written on a text that is not on this list will receive a zero):
o “What’s the Matter with Kids Today?” – Amy Goldwasser (NFG, pgs. 666-669)
o “Whodunit – The Media?” – Maggie Cutler (NFG, pgs. 684-690)
o “Some Like It Hot” – Lawrence Lessing (NFG, pgs. 88-92)
o “Small Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted” – Malcolm Gladwell (D2L,
pgs. 312-328)
o “Reforming Egypt in 140 Characters?” – Dennis Baron (D2L, pgs. 329-334)
o “2b or Not 2b?” – David Crystal (D2L, pgs. 335-346)
• Include an interesting, engaging title for your essay
• In your introduction, include an appropriate summary of the text for your readers and identify the
text’s main argument
• Respond to the text’s argument (this will be your thesis statement)
• Quote (cite) from the text at least once in your essay (if you don’t, essay will receive half credit)
• Offer reasons for your response—the body of your essay should refer back to the essay and offer
your own ideas on the essay’s argument (sample essay available on D2L)
• Follow MLA Format (which means you will have a Works Cited page that includes the correct
entry for the text as well as an entry for your additional source!)
o Hint: #7 on pg. 443 of your Norton Field Guide will help you cite the essay itself!
• Proofread carefully for grammatical, technical, and mechanical errors

2. Research Component:
• Find at least one article that has to do with the issue being discussed
o Article MUST come from Academic Search Premier OR SIRS Issue Researcher—these
are databases available on the HGTC library page and on your LibGuide
o You must cite from article (directly quote) at least once in your essay (in proper MLA
format)
o Article (and quote in essay) needs to be relevant and appropriate for the discussion—this
is practice for your research paper, so take your time and get to know the databases well!
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; the only exception is if you are
absent, and you then have 24 hours to turn it in or turn it in with the final copy of your essay for half
credit. For each item not submitted on the due date (or completed as requested), your essay grade will
be penalized up to 20 points.
Pre-writing: 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.)
Outline: 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.)
Draft (first/plain): Submit a draft of your essay that meets all length and source requirements for the
essay assignment (including in-text citations!). This draft must be typed (and printed) and submitted to
the instructor via hard copy (not electronically). Though it must meet the length/source requirements, it
certainly doesn’t have to be completely “polished” as it is just a draft.
PeerMark: Peer Review will be completed through Turnitin.com. You must submit a draft that meets
all requirements for the essay and offer thorough and helpful feedback to the two essays assigned to you.
Self-Editing Worksheet (with Draft): On D2L, there is a “Self-Editing Worksheet” for this (Essay 2)
assignment. You will need to print a draft of your essay (you can use the same one turned into the
instructor) and complete all steps on the worksheet—you’ll need to mark on the draft (as required by the
worksheet) as well.
Proofreading Worksheet (with Draft): On D2L, there is a “Proofreading Worksheet” for this (Essay
2) assignment. You will need to print a new/clean draft of your essay (that has hopefully been revised
and is essentially your final draft) and complete all steps on the worksheet—you’ll need to mark on the
draft (as required by the worksheet) as well.
Annotated Copies of Sources: 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, 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 response(s) to it.

3. Student Name: _________________________
Essay 2: Text Analysis (150 points)
Scale: 15 = perfect/excellent, 12 = good, 9 = fair, 0 = poor or missing
15 12 9 0
Introduction effectively and objectively summarizes text, states text’s
argument, and provides necessary background information
Thesis statement is clear and well-developed, states a logical response to the
text’s claim, 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
In-text citations are formatted correctly, properly framed (introduced and
discussed), and effective in supporting thesis
Conclusion avoids introducing new ideas and adequately summarizes essay
Transitions effectively enhance essay’s “flow” by guiding reader
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.
Checklist: Subtotal: _____
All of the following items are due along with the hard copy of your
essay (NO later); put everything in your folder. For each of these
Checklist: - _____
items missing, your essay will be penalized up to 20 points.
□ copy of this assignment sheet and rubric—all 3 pages (print Grade: _____/150
and turn in)
□ copy of text analyzed (copy or find online) that has been
thoroughly annotated
□ all items turned in as part of process (listed on first page of
this assignment sheet, details on second page) – if not turned
back in with final copy, credit may not be given!
□ copy of article about issue that has been annotated
□ PeerMark (complete in Turnitin—nothing to turn in
physically)
Don’t forget that you also have to submit your final copy to
Turnitin.com as well!