We feel this sample assignment is an excellent illustration
of what goes into a well-designed writing assignment. This level
of specificity is especially valuable to novice student writers.
LAS 125 Pathways to Knowledge
Writing Assignment #1--Why Am I a University Student?
Purpose: To help you explore goals and objectives.
1. Before you write your essay, list the reasons you chose
to become a university student. Then list your goals and objectives
as a university student. Why are you really at USU. You are
obviously here for an education. Be specific and personalize
your answers.
These two lists will be due:
[Note to instructor: at this point, try peer response in
class so that students can share ideas and add to their lists.
As an entire class, discuss various responses. Emphasize "uniqueness."]
2. Write an essay in which you place yourself in one of the
following scenarios. Use one scenario as the "frame"
of the essay.
You find yourself in the following situation: through an
unfortunate series of events, it appears that you will not
have the tuition money to continue university studies beyond
this term. There is a possibility you may be able to earn
a scholarship through a fund set up by an anonymous donor
that will allow you to remain in school. The application for
this scholarship includes a personal essay. The donor, who
reads each application, values honest self-appraisal and good
writing skills. Draft an essay in which you 1) enumerate your
goals & objectives briefly and then 2) analyze and criticize
these goals. To what extent are your goals shared by your
classmates? by your family? How does each goal relate to our
discussion of "The Idea of a University"? Support
your analysis with references to class lectures, discussions,
and readings.
A friend says to you, "you don't need to go to school
to be successful." At the time, you do not have a response,
but after a rather sleepless night in which you think about
the issue, you want to compose an articulate response. Draft
an essay in which you answer the question. Define what your
idea of "success" is. You may use some of the questions
in scenario 1 to think about your essay. Support your analysis
with references to class lectures, discussions, and readings.
A younger sibling says to you, "I don't want to go to
college." Alarmed by this reaction, you want to encourage
that person to reconsider by using yourself as an example.
Draft an essay (a letter home is appropriate) in which you
discuss your own reasons for being a university student. You
may use some of the questions in scenario 1 to think about
your essay. Support your analysis with references to class
lectures, discussions, and readings.
As a non-traditional student, you have decided to attend
the University, but you are not sure if this is really the
right path for you. In a personal essay, reflect on your motives
for becoming a university student and speculate on what you
believe your goals to be. Address potential roadblocks to
achieving your goals. You may use some of the questions in
scenario 1 to think about your essay. Support your analysis
with references to class lectures, discussions, and readings.
The draft you submit for RA critique should be your best possible
work. Only if you do this will you get the best possible help--which
affects what grade your essay receives. Below is a checklist
you should use in preparing the draft of the essay your RA
will see.
The essay will be due:
Format: essay; maximum length of 3 pages; word processed,
double-spaced (no hand-written essays will be accepted either
for RA conference or final draft).
Questions to Ask About the Essay:
Does the introduction include a summary of goals.
Does most of the essay focus on analysis/criticism of these
goals? Are references to readings and lectures made?
Are references documented correctly? (See "Ready Reference
Guide")
Are specific examples included?
Is the prose lively? (Would someone else WANT to read this?)
What makes the essay unique?
What conclusions have you come to?
Have you given the essay a lively title?
Is the essay well-organized?
Is there a variety of sentence beginnings?
Are active verbs used when appropriate?
Have you--or someone else--proofread the essay?
Please note: I look especially for analysis and criticism.
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