Eng 102 Critical Conversation Assignment Sheet

1. English 102H College Writing and Rhetoric
Critical Conversation Essay
The critical conversation essay uses research but is probably unlike research papers
you have previously written. Rather than just reporting what various sources say
about the problem you have been researching, as in an informational essay, you will
explore the nature of the public discussion of the problem. You will participate in
the conversation about your problem in an intellectually critical way – hence the
phrase “Critical Conversation.”
Purpose
This assignment provides you with the opportunity to use the sources you identified
in the Annotated Bibliography assignment to practice the elements of critical
thinking such as:
• Identifying and analyzing alternative perspectives,
• Articulating underlying assumptions, values and beliefs of different
arguments, including your own, and
• Using evidence to support your own position.
Description
This essay should identify and present the problem you have been researching,
explore and analyze a variety of arguments and perspectives on that problem, and
use that information to develop your own position.
Structure:
• Introduction: introduces the topic and gets your reader interested in it;
states the research question and forecasts the content and structure of
the body of the essay.
• Body: answers your research question(s); should be organized by
patterns of themes and/or question.
• Conclusion: situates your position on the research question within the
context established in the body of the essay.
The Deets:
• 7 to 8 pages, 12 point Times, double-spaced
• References at least 7 sources (not limited to the Annotated Bibliography)
• Includes a MLA style Works Cited page
• Uses MLA in-text citation style
Grading Criteria
• Assignment Criteria (the “The Deets” above)
• Multiple Perspectives
o Identifies and analyzes all of the significant perspectives on the
problem
o Adequately attributes, summarizes and evaluates sources

2. English 102H College Writing and Rhetoric
• Your Position
o Identifies and supports your position with reasons and evidence
• Organization
o The introduction engages the audience, provides appropriate
background to the problem, and makes clear its significance.
o The sections and paragraphs are in a logical, purposeful order that
is signaled with clear transitions.
o The paragraphs are unified and cohesive.
o A conclusion brings closure to the argument.
• Correctness
o The surface characteristics meet expectations for college writing.