Requirements:

Your paper should have a clear thesis and defend that thesis with evidence drawn from the text.

A thesis is a clearly articulated and appropriately focused central argument that demonstrates your own independent thought about the question.

Using evidence effectively means that you will support all sub-points of your central argument with appropriate, convincing, and correctly cited evidence. In the case of this essay, you should clearly refer to and cite specific instances of plot, characters, themes, diction/dialogue, and/or setting of Brave New World. For this paper, you will use 8th edition MLA citations. More details about how to correctly cite can be found starting on page 119 of your Little Seagull Handbook or online at the Purdue OWL. (Links to an external site.)

Audience:

Your paper should be addressed to an audience of your peers (college students) and your professors. Your professors and classmates have all read the novel, but not all college students have, so do not assume that all your readers are as familiar with the novel as you are. That means you will need to explain important elements related to setting, plot, character, etc. as if the reader has not read the book.

Award:

Your professors will nominate the best papers from your section to be entered into the Brave New World Essay competition. A panel of Symposium professors will select the best three.

Rubric
Core Persuasive Essay Rubric
Core Persuasive Essay Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Central Argument
20 pts
The essay has a clearly articulated and appropriately focused central argument (thesis) that demonstrates independent thought.
16 pts
The essay has a central argument (thesis) that demonstrates independent thought but is imprecisely stated.
13 pts
The essay has a central argument (thesis), but it is either superficial, derivative, or not adequately focused.
0 pts
The essay lacks a central argument (thesis).
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Support
20 pts
The essay supports each of its sub-points with appropriate, convincing, and correctly cited evidence.
16 pts
The essay uses evidence appropriately to support its sub-points, but not all evidence is convincing, correctly cited, and adequately developed.
13 pts
The essay uses evidence, but the evidence is frequently incorrectly cited, some sub-points lack support, or not all the evidence is clearly connected to the sub-point which it is meant to support.
0 pts
The essay lacks compelling support for its central argument and citations are absent.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Analysis
20 pts
Interpretation of the evidence demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the source material.
16 pts
Interpretation of the evidence demonstrates an adequate but superficial understanding of the source material.
13 pts
Interpretation of the evidence indicates an inadequate understanding of some of the source material.
0 pts
Interpretation of the evidence suggests a generally inadequate understanding of the source material.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Organization
20 pts
The essay uses paragraphs that are controlled by topic sentences to delineate sub-points that clearly advance the central argument.
16 pts
Most of the essay is structured with paragraphs controlled by topic sentences, but there may be problems sequencing ideas within or between paragraphs.
13 pts
Not all paragraphs are clearly controlled by sub-points advancing the central argument.
0 pts
The essay has no discernible structure.
20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Use of Language
10 pts
Word choice is precise and sentence structure aids rather than obscures meaning.
8 pts
Sentence structure, though lacking elegance, does not interfere with clarity; word choice, though lacking precision, consistently conveys meaning
6 pts
Imprecision in word choice occasionally obscures meaning and sentence structure occasionally detracts from clarity.
0 pts
Imprecision in word choice or problems with sentence structure consistently interfere with clarity.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Mechanics
5 pts
The essay uses proper punctuation, spelling, and formatting.
4 pts
There are some errors in spelling, punctuation or formatting, but they are minor and/or infrequent.
3 pts
Errors in spelling, punctuation, or formatting are frequent.
0 pts
The essay shows no discernible evidence of proofreading.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Audience
5 pts
The essay consistently uses language and generic conventions that demonstrate an understanding of the audience or audiences as directed by the prompt.
4 pts
The essay mostly uses language and generic conventions that demonstrate an understanding of the audience or audiences as directed by the prompt.
3 pts
The essay frequently uses language or generic conventions that demonstrate an inadequate understanding of the audience or audiences as directed by the prompt.
0 pts
The essay shows no discernible evidence of understanding of the audience or audiences as directed by the prompt.
5 pts
Total Points: 100