Click below to read about each paper:

Paper #1 | Paper #2 | Paper #3 | Paper #4 | Paper #5 | Departmental Exam | B Paper | A Paper

Paper #1: Aim: Expressive Mode: Description
From one of your journal entries, write a 500-1000 words, double spaced paper describing ONE of the following:

  •  1st choice: Everyone has problems or challenges to overcome.What obstacles are you proud to have faced and conquered?
  •  2nd choice: All of us are works in progress with a long way to go before we reach our full potential. In what skill or area are you still working to make progress? 
Paper 2: Aim: Persuasive/Mode: Evaluation
From one of your journal entries, please write a 500-1000 page paper convincing the reader of your stand on a political issue. Please use the personal, logical and emotional appeal in your paper. Use the classical argument structure for this paper
  1. Introduction: state thesis
  2. Give one supporting argument
  3. Give another supporting argument
  4. Give another supporting argument
  5. Present and counter at least one possible refutation
  6. Conclusion: Summarize and state your opinion on this issue (which side you agree with). Give evaluation and interpretation that explain how you made your choice.

Sample topics of former papers are:
death penalty, gays in the military, drinking age, "sin taxes" (charging more for cigarettes to cover health care costs), rent control in Austin, the next president, distribution of condoms in high school, , doctor-assisted suicide, "no kill animal shelters", animal testing, protection of endagered species vs. urban growth (e.g. the Barton Springs Salamander), school uniforms.

Paper 3: Aim: Referential/Interpretive

Aim: Referential/Interpretive Mode: Classification and Evaluation (500-1000 words)
Please choose a quote . In your essay, please explain why the quote embodies "words to live by". You may use any quote, but you must document the author and source of the quote. One source for quotes: http://www.quotationspage.com/

According to the guidelines for This I Believe, please make sure you CLEARLY STATE a belief .

Here is my quote: " I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy." J. D. Salinger (1919 - )

   

Paper 4: Research Paper #1
Aim: Referential/Interpretive Mode: Classification and Description

Technology has changed our world significantly in the last ten to twenty years. Choose a topic that deals with technology of some sort. Formulate a question and then write a 1000-1500 word research paper answering your initial question through research. Possible topics include: privacy issues, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, the world wide web, computers, nintendo, celluar phones, telecommuting etc...

  1. Introduction and state thesis question Paragraph #1
  2. First section Paragraph #2 and #3: (2 paragraphs)
  3. Second section Paragraph #4 and #5: (2 paragraphs)
  4. Third section Paragraph #6 and #7: (2 paragraphs)
  5. Conclusion Paragraph #8
  6. WORKS CITED SECTION
    One Book, One Magazine, One other (web site is ok) but I REALLY want you to set foot in a library for this assignment.
Paper 5: Research Paper #2 (The short version will be 300-500 words)
Aim: Referential/Interpretive
Mode: Classification/Evaluation  

Write a 1000-1500 word research paper based on your journal entry. Introduce your issue with background information. State both sides of the issue and then develop the first side giving three supporting arguments (find these in your research). Then state the other side and give three supporting arguments (find these in your research). Conclude by stating which side you believe and why. ( Overused topics-> DO NOT WRITE ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA, ABORTION or the example topic SUV's. Thanks)

Your structure should be the following:

  1. Introduction: Pose question
  2. State one side of the issue
  3. argument 1 gathered from your research + quote.
  4. argument 2 gathered from your research + quote
  5. argument 3 gathered from your research + quote
  6. State other side of the issue
  7. argument 1 gathered from your research + quote.
  8. argument 2 gathered from your research + quote
  9. argument 3 gathered from your research + quote
  10. Conclusion: Summarize and state your opinion on this issue (which side you agree with). Give evaluation and interpretation that explain how you made your choice.

Works Cited: Three Web Sites on one side of your issue from which you get your quotes and Three Web Sites on the other side of the issue, which are the basis of those quotes.

Departmental Exam: Go to a testing center. They will give you an essay to read. You will write a response using a computer.
You should allow 3 hours for this exam.

Option 1| Composition I | ENGL 1301|  Departmental Exam | Option 1

IF YOUR INSTRUCTOR GAVE YOU SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE FOLLOW THEM . After reading the selection marked “Option 1,” write an interpretive-analytical paper of at least 750 words. Underline your thesis statement. The essay must demonstrate critical thinking and be written coherently, observing grammatical, mechanical, and stylistic conventions. Your paper must include at least one paragraph on each of the following:

 Summary

Mention the author and the title of the essay, and then provide a brief summary of the author’s key points. Include an interpretation of the author’s main point, which may be presented either directly or indirectly in the author’s work.

 Analysis

The paper needs to include a discussion of the author’s rhetorical purpose (aim) and methods of organization (patterns). Some examples of purpose are expressive, referential (informative, interpretive), persuasive, and literary. Some examples of methods of organization include description, narration, cause and effect, classification, comparison-contrast, and illustration.

 Evaluation

Applying established criteria for what constitutes a successful expressive, referential, persuasive, or literary essay, discuss 2-3 specific ways in which this essay is or is not successful. Also discuss whether the chosen methods of organization are effective or not and why.