For this assignment, you will write a 4-6 page (1000-1500 word) essay in which you inform
your audience about your topic. The goal of your essay is to provide information (not to
persuade).
Chapter 9 is about writing reports, and chapter 11 is about annotated bibliographies. Chapters
43-50 will help with fining, choosing, and using sources.
SUMMARY OF ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS:
1. Narrow topic, with a clearly stated thesis.
2. Target audience identified in your heading.
3. Thorough support from 4-8 credible sources
4. Effective organization.
5. Correct use of MLA documentation (both internal citations and a correctly formatted works
cited page).
TOPIC:
Pick something from the brainstorming assignment in class, or choose something that would fit
in general category of “Ways, means, and things to improve human lives and/or the world.”
Sleep, nutrition, smarter smart phones, hybrid cars, and travel could all work as topics for this
paper. Your topic needs to be narrow enough for a short paper—some topics are too broad to
cover in a paper of this length. (You may NOT write about the wars in Iraq, Syria, or
Afghanistan, abortion, stem cells, gay marriage, the death penalty, U.S. immigration policy
or school uniforms. No essays specifically about a person or political party. No
mudslinging.) Clear your topic choice with me.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this paper is to inform your audience about your chosen topic.
AUDIENCE/TONE:
You will clearly identify your chosen audience in the fifth line of your heading. You do not need
to refer to your audience explicitly in the body of the essay. One of the major elements of this
essay is writing for a SPECIFIC AUDIENCE. If you don’t identify your audience, I can’t
evaluate the paper. Your audience will be people on all sides of this essay; be careful not to
offend them accidentally.
SOURCES:
You must use 4 to 8 outside sources. Your sources reflect your credibility as a writer, so your
main sources should be from well-respected publications. You should control these sources,
using them to back up your discussion of the topic. Make sure you are not just “stringing sources
together”; you should be in control of your sources, rather than letting your sources control
you! Your sources should be integrated well and should flow with the writing through the use of
attributive tags.
Choose sources that your audience will find credible. (Avoid Wikipedia and Answers.com)
DOCUMENTATION:
Use the MLA system of documentation. You are responsible for properly citing sources within
your text and on your Works Cited page. Your book includes examples and guidelines on how to
properly cite your sources. If you encounter a source that doesn’t neatly fit one of the book’s
model references, refer to the official MLA Handbook.