Out of Class Essay I.                                 301B
TOPIC ONE: Critical Thinking  OR  TOPIC TWO: Studying Abroad
TYPED ROUGH DRAFT DUE:  6/6 (3 PAGE MINIMUM FOR CREDIT)
TYPED FINAL DRAFT DUE: 6/13 (5 PAGE MINIMUM PLUS WORKS CITED)
TOPIC
In the article “Critical Thinking Crucial in the Information Age,” Massimo Pigliucci argues “the need for critical thinking has never been as pressing as in the Internet era…the problem is no longer one of access to information, but the lack of ability to process and make sense of that information.”  In your essay, you must discuss the following:  What is critical thinking? Why is it important for students and citizens to be skilled critical thinkers?  How has technology – and our access to vast amounts of information – made it easier or more difficult to think critically?
Articles
“Critical Thinking Crucial in the Information Age” by Massimo Pigliucci (You were given this article in class – you must use this article as a reference in your essay if you choose topic one.)

“The Internet Can Make You Smarter Experts Say”  by Lance Whitney.  CNET.com, 22 Feb 2010
http://www.cnet.com/news/the-internet-can-make-you-smarter-experts-say/

“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by Nicholas Carr.  The Atlantic, 1 July 2008.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/

Essay I General Guidelines
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT ESSAY CONTENT:
YOU MUST BE PERSUASIVE.
THE MAIN IDEAS IN YOUR ESSAY MUST BE YOUR OWN.
YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE SOME SUPPORT FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES.
IN ADDITION, YOU MUST USE INFORMATION FROM THE SELECTION USED FOR YOUR IN CLASS ESSAY.
YOU MUST ALSO USE INFORMATION FROM ADDITIONAL SOURCES.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT ESSAY FORMAT:
Your essay must be 5 pages in length and typed in standard 11 or 12-point font, double-spaced.
The format must follow MLA guidelines.
You may use direct quotations (no more than three lines) or paraphrased or summarized information from your sources.
All information from your sources must be properly cited in-text in MLA format.
Your essay must have a title, but a separate title page is optional.
Your essay must end with a “Works Cited” list.
You must attach a copy of the Out of Class Essay Rubric to your essay. (page 3 of this handout)

Essay I Outline
The Introduction
I.    Thesis Statement:  Clearly state the topic and your position on the topic in one sentence.

The Body
II.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

III.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

IV.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

V.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

VI.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

VII.    Topic sentence:  Clearly present the point to be developed in this paragraph

List the evidence you will present to support your point, also list any sources to be used
A.
B.
C.

Conclusion
VIII.    Concluding comments:  Briefly list possible concluding comments.

301B Out of Class Essay Rubric                        2015

Focus
Topic and purpose are clear.
The essay is consistently focused on the topic.
The essay responds to all aspects of the assignment.
The Writer’s point of view is present and clear.
Organization
The thesis statement is clear, interesting and compelling.
All body paragraphs have clear, single main points.
All parts of the essay relate to the overarching focus and purpose.
Transitional devices of some kind guide readers through the text.
The ending brings the essay to closure with some appropriate method.
Reasoning
The significance of the topic is clear and assumptions are recognized and made explicit.
Ideas are developed thoroughly, deeply and demonstrate complexity of thought.
Analysis is logical, consistent, and well-developed.
Any source material is integrated smoothly and analyzed and synthesized.
The writer integrates his/her examples and analysis.
The writer acknowledges, respects, and represents accurately other points of view.
Conclusions follow logically from claims and the evidence presented.
Conventions
The writing demonstrates control of sentence structure, vocabulary and mechanics
Errors do not impede meaning to any significant degree.
Sources are appropriately cited and identified according to MLA Style.
The form, tone and voice of the essay are appropriate for the writer’s purpose.
(Rubric Adapted from Composition SCO Measurable Objectives)