Essay #2

Eng 102FA15

Critique Essay
Directions: Choose one of the articles discussed in class. Read this article and write a 3-4 page critique.
The essays introduction must identify the article title and author, provide background information, and include a thesis statement that
is specific. A hook is used.
The essay summarizes the authors purpose for writing and the main points of the passage. The summary is brief, complete, objective,
and avoids plagiarism. Essay names critiqued articles title and author. The topic and concluding sentences align.
The essay must include an assessment of the authors presentation of the topic by commenting on the authors success in achieving
his/her purpose by reviewing 3 or 4 specific points. The topic and concluding sentences align.
A personal response to the presentation must be included in the essay. Components include a response to the authors views and a
discussion of reasons for agreement and/or disagreement. The topic and concluding sentences align.
The conclusion discusses the overall validity of the article, assesses authors success at achieving aims, mentions personal reactions to
authors views, and restates the thesis by mentioning the weaknesses/strengths of passage. Conclusion links back to introduction.
Grammar and mechanics will also be graded for accuracy. Particular attention will be given to topics already covered in class.
Evidence of each stage of the writing process must be submitted: prewrite (1 sentence summaries, thesis); planning (outline); drafting;
revising (peer review form); and publishing (final copy). MLA format must be followed and include a works cited page. The target
length is 3-4 pages. This total does not include the works cited page. Quotes must be used: at least one must include a regular
parenthetical and one must use an attributive tag.
A 14 pts.
B 12 pts.
C 11 pts.
D 9 pts.
F 8 pts.
All
1 characteristic
2 characteristics
3 characteristics
4 characteristics
Introduction
characteristics
is weak or
are weak or
are weak or
are weak or
apparent
missing
missing
missing
missing
Summary

All
characteristics
apparent

1 characteristic
is weak or
missing

2 characteristics
are weak or
missing

3 characteristics
are weak or
missing

4 characteristics
are weak or
missing

Assessment of
Presentation

All
characteristics
apparent

1 characteristic
is weak or
missing

2 characteristics
are weak or
missing

3 characteristics
are weak or
missing

4 characteristics
are weak or
missing

Response to
Presentation

All
characteristics
apparent

1 characteristic
is weak or
missing

2 characteristics
are weak or
missing

3 characteristics
are weak or
missing

4 characteristics
are weak or
missing

Conclusion

All
characteristics
apparent

1 characteristic
is weak or
missing

2 characteristics
are weak or
missing

3 characteristics
are weak or
missing

4 characteristics
are weak or
missing

A 20 pts.
less than 2 errors
in grammar or
mechanics

B 17 pts.
3-4 errors in
grammar and
mechanics

C 15 pts.
5-6 errors in
grammar and
mechanics

D 13 pts.
7-8 errors in
grammar and
mechanics

F 11 pts.
9 or more errors
in grammar and
mechanics

A 10 pts.
All parts are
submitted. Final
copy follows
MLA format.

B 8 pts.
1 component is
missing from
writing process
or MLA format.

C 7 pts.
2 components
are missing from
writing process
or MLA format.

D 6 pts.
3 components
are missing from
writing process
or MLA format.

F 5 pts.
4 or more
components are
missing from
writing process
or MLA format.

Grammar &
Mechanics

Writing
process; MLA
format; target
length

EARNED:

100 Points Total

Essay #2

Eng 102FA15

I. Introduction
II. Body
A. Summary
summarizes the authors main points and purpose for writing
is brief, complete, objective, and avoids plagiarism
B. Assessment of presentation
Is the information accurate? Is the information significant? Has the author clearly defined terms?
Has the author used and interpreted information fairly? Has the author argued logically?
If purpose is to inform - What can the reader gain from this information? How is knowledge
advanced by the publication of this material? Is the information of importance to you or to others
in a particular audience? Why or why not? Does the author fairly interpret the factual
information? Could you offer a contrary explanation for the same facts? Does more information
need to be gathered before firm conclusions can be drawn? Why?
If purpose is to persuade - What is the authors assertion or thesis statement? Is the authors
argument valid? Does the author use clearly defined key terms? Does the author use information
fairly? Has the author argued logically and not fallaciously? Watch out for faulty thinking and
logical fallacies
If purpose is to entertain - Which elements of the work seemed effective/ineffective? Why? Offer
an overall assessment, elaborating on personal views. Did I care for the portrayal of a certain
character? Did that character seem overly sentimental or heroic? Did his adversaries seem too
villainous or stupid? Did his adversaries seem too villainous or stupid? Were the situations
believable? Was the action interesting or merely formulaic? Was the theme developed subtly or
powerfully, or did the work come across as preachy or shrill? Did the action at the end of the
work follow plausibly from what had come before? Was the language fresh and incisive or stale
and predictable?
C. Personal response to presentation
respond to the authors views
discuss reasons for agreement and/or disagreement
Questions to answer include:
With which views do you agree? Why?
With which views do you disagree? Why?
III. Conclusion