Overview

Mastery Assignment 2: Final Copy

Overview

In this assignment, students will write a final version of a definition essay. This essay will be written on one of the given topics listed in mastery assignment 1, however, it does not need to be the same topic previously chosen. Students will turn in a single PDF of your written work. Please take time to review the rubric and turn in a completed assignment that meets all of the rubric criteria.

An Accessible PDF of Mastery Assignment 2 Final

Step 1

Step 1: Writing the Final Draft

This assignment is made up of two parts, however, only the final version of this essay will be included in the final submission. Do not include the rough draft in this submission. Be sure to include evidence to show the essay was updated and improved. The final copy of this essay needs to include proof that the instructor’s feedback has been integrated in the final version of this essay. Students cannot upload the same assignment for both this mastery assignment and the previous mastery assignment.

Likewise, when you make any edits, editing only the changes that were recommended in your draft and nothing else is not editing effectively. You should be critically evaluating your own work using the rubric and the materials in the course as a guide.

Writing Resource

The Writing Resource is a reference for academic writing in this course. Refer to this source before submitting a final copy of a writing assignment.

Step 2

Step 2: Length and Formatting

Your paper should be a 500 word minimum for the final draft, typed, double-spaced, with standard margins, and using a 12 point font.

Include a title and the date, as shown below. Indent the first line of each paragraph.

This essay will be written in the third person perspective. It should not be written in first-person (I, we, us) or second-person (you) perspective.

You must have a minimum of two sources for this assignment; include in-text citations and a works cited page. You are free to get your sources from anywhere, but they must be scholarly and reputable, meaning NOT Wikipedia or other similar sources. Integrate your sources throughout your essay to support what you have to say, making a stronger essay.

Format Example:

Date paper was submitted (month day, year)

Composition Title

This is the first line of your first paragraph. It should be indented.

Subsequent lines are not indented but the first line of any subsequent paragraph is indented. As you begin paragraph two, this should be indented as the first sentence to the paragraph. Subsequent lines are not indented.

Step 3

Step 3: Grading Criteria

The essay will be evaluated based on its effectiveness as a definition essay. In order to demonstrate such effectiveness, please consider the following questions:

Is the essay clearly a definition essay?
Are the paragraphs complete? See the checklist and previous lessons for a complete description of paragraph structure.
Sources: Are scholarly, relevant sources used appropriately throughout the essay?
Organization: Does the essay follow logical organization?
Does the essay contain all of the elements of an effective essay? e.g., thesis statement, introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, closing paragraph.
In your final draft, have you developed a clear thesis statement/idea that explains what you are telling and why (the impact it has had on you and/or others)?
Has the essay clearly undergone the steps of the writing process, including evidence of peer review? Your grade will be based not only on the final product but also on your ability to show that you completed all the steps of the writing process through a well-developed essay free of typos.

These steps are:

Prewrite Your graphic organizer or free write will help you generate ideas.
Draft The first version of your essay.
Revise Fix the organization and ideas.
Edit Check for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Publish Your final essay.

Step 4

Step 4: Reviewing Your Work

Don’t forget to self-evaluate your work before you turn it in. Reviewing your own work is an important step to take when completing an assignment to avoid any accidental errors. This includes using the criteria of the assignment, looking at things from another perspective, and using your resources appropriately. For tips on self-evaluation, review the Self-Evaluation tab in the first mastery assignment for your course.

Step 5

Step 5: Turning in the Final Draft

In this activity, you will complete an assignment that demonstrates your understanding of the learning outcomes for the course. Be sure to turn in the final version of your definition essay. The final essay must include evidence of using the instructor’s feedback when editing your work. Students cannot upload the same essay without first making updates and modifications for both this mastery assignment and the previous mastery assignment. There must be a clear difference between the finalized version of the definition essay and the rough draft of this assignment.

This submission will be graded according to the rubric; therefore, double-check that you have followed all of the assignment instructions and that the correct assignment is attached. You are expected to turn in a completed assignment. If an assignment is blank or incorrectly linked, this may result in a significant penalty or a zero on your assignment.

Do not submit multiple documents. If turning in multiple things for this assignment, please put them in a single document and label the items appropriately. Download the document as a PDF and submit the PDF.

References and Citations

Consider that there might be certain parts of your arguments that aren’t true or need better backing, or that there’s an argument that you haven’t yet thought of. While you can use common search engines such as Google, you are better off using search engines that are made for academic purposes. This will help you filter out unhelpful articles and websites. (Note: You are not limited to using these specific sources; just know, you must use scholarly and reputable sources, so make sure you are careful with what you use!)

Here is a list of search engines for academic purposes or databases that are open resources:

Google Scholar
Google Scholar searches through scholarly articles, journals, books, and other academic publications and databases.
Google Scholar search tips
RefSeek*
RefSeek searches the web, focusing on educational and organizational sites as well as academic publications and books. It weeds out results from businesses and commercial webpages.
RefSeek search tips
Educational Resources Information Center
ERIC is an online database, focusing on education-related research.
ERIC search tips
Bielefeld Academic Search Engine
BASE searches a specific set of academic websites and resources, including academic libraries and academic journals.
BASE search tips
Directory of Open Access Journals
DOAJ searches one of the largest collections of open access academic journals.

Citing Sources

Anything paraphrased or quoted needs citations, usually in the text and in a references or works cited page. Anything you include that is not your original idea must be cited.

Mastery Assignment 2: Final Copy

Overview

Step 1: Writing the Final Draft

Writing Resource

Step 2: Length and Formatting

Step 3: Grading Criteria

Step 4: Reviewing Your Work

Step 5: Turning in the Final Draft

References and Citations

Citing Sources

Helpful Sites: