Are hot dogs sandwiches? Answer in the form of an academic essay, and support your position with evidence. Requirements follow: 2.5-3.5 pages in length
please note that your essay must fill at least 3/4 of the page for it to count as a “page”
additionally, please note that you may not go over 4 full pages (this should be enough to finish your concluding thoughts; if it isn’t, you need to do some editing!)
You must cite at least one reputable source in this essay (Wikipedia is not a reputable or trustworthy source, but may help you find some)
Because none of us in this class have the experience required to be considered an expert, you should not use personal anecdotes or “I” statements (referencing “the author of this paper” counts as an “I” statement. Do not break the fourth wall and acknowledge that this is an essay/paper, e.g., “This essay will discuss…” etc.)
Follow the Fatal Four(see attached file)and all assigned Grammar Rules
Correct MLA format throughout
double-spaced with no additional spaces before or after title or paragraphs
all text (including header) uniform font type and 12pt font size
1″ margins
header containing author’s last name and the page number flush with the right margin
heading containing author’s name, professor’s name, class, and essay due date (not the date it was written)
properly formatted Works Cited page
properly formatted in-text citations
properly formatted quotations
Grading criteria:
Clear and complete thesis statement (e.g., “A hot dog [is/is not] a sandwich because [reason A], [reason B], and [reason C].”) — 20 points possible
Sufficient supporting evidence and explanation — 30 points possible (Do you have enough facts/data/quotations/expert opinions to back up your assertion? You should have at least two pieces of evidence for each topic sentence in your paper. Most evidence is not reflexive [e.g., it’s true because it’s true] and does not speak for itself, so connect it to your thesis statement.)
Counterargument – 10 points possible (You do not have to ruthlessly tear down any opposition, but consider arguments someone asserting something else are likely to make and show why they’re weaker than your arguments.)
Correct MLA format — 20 points possible (See above.)
Clarity and polish (does the essay read like it was proofread? Can I easily tell what point you are trying to make?) — 10 points possible
At least one correctly-cited trustworthy source — 10 points possible (because we have now gone over citations twice and you have at least two resources–the Purdue OWL and your textbook–at your disposal to clarify questions you might have about them, I will actually take off points for errors)
NOTE: these add up to 100 points possible. There is no allotment for Fatal Four or Grammar Rules because you should be following them anyway. You will lose a point each time you break one: after I add up the points from the criteria above, I subtract points for any broken Grammar Rules/Fatal Four violations.
