Essay #3

Eng 102BC
Critique Essay

Directions: Choose an article from the textbook 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.
The essay summarizes the authors purpose for writing and the main points of the passage. The summary is brief,
complete, objective, and avoids plagiarism.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:

INTRODUCTION

100 Points Total

Essay #3

Eng 102BC

1. What is the article title and author?

2. What background information is given?
According to the writer, why is the subject of current interest?
According to the writer, how or why is the subject of the passage controversial?
According to the writer, what is the authors background?
According to the writer, under what circumstances was the original passage written?
3. What is the writers thesis statement?
SUMMARY
1. What main points does the writer summarize?
2. What does the writer say is the purpose for the writing?
3. Is the writers summary brief, complete, objective, and does it avoid plagiarism?
ASSESSMENT OF PRESENTATION
1. What does the writer say about the authors success in achieving his/her purpose?
What does the writer say about the accuracy of the information?
What does the writer say about the significance of the information?
What does the writer say about the authors term definition?
What does the writer say about how the author used and interpreted the information? Was
it done fairly? Was it argued logically?
PERSONAL RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION
1. How does the writer respond to the authors views?
2. What reasons does the writer give for agreeing or disagreeing with the author?
Which views does the writer agree with? Why?
Which views does the writer disagree with? Why?
CONCLUSION
1. What does the writer say about the overall validity of the article?
2. What does the writer say about the authors success at achieving his/her aims?
3. What does the writer say about his/her personal reactions?
4. How does the writer restate the thesis and mention the weaknesses/strengths of passage?