31 Aug COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination in Healthcare Workplace
Essay Guidelines
Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until your essay meets all guidelines. We also suggest reading the complete sample essay before you begin writing.
Argumentative Thesis Statement and Focus
- Does the topic of the argument have two clear sides?
- Do you take a clear position on the argument in your thesis statement?
- Is the topic appropriately narrow for a 3-5 page essay?
Development and Support
- Are all details relevant to the argumentative thesis statement?
- Is your position supported through use of rhetorical appeals?
- Is your position supported through evidence?
Essay Structure and Organization
- Does your essay have an introductory paragraph with a thesis statement?
- Does your essay have at least three body paragraphs, which support your thesis statement?
- Does your essay have a conclusion paragraph that wraps up the essay?
- Are the essay paragraphs logically sequenced?
- Have you used transitions to connect ideas between sentences and paragraphs?
- Is it easy to follow the argument?
Style
- Have you checked your essay for redundancies and imprecise language?
- Does your essay employ a formal style and objective tone?
Sources and Citations
- Have you referenced at least two outside sources as evidence for your argument?
- Are your sources current and credible?
- Have you properly cited the sources using APA style within your essay and included a reference page?
Conventions
- Have you checked your essay for grammatical errors?
- Have you used Spell-Check or another method to check spelling?
- Have you used punctuation correctly?
- Have you checked your essay for sentence run-ons and sentence fragments?
Reflection
- Have you answered all of the reflection questions thoughtfully and thoroughly?
- Are your answers to the reflection questions included on a separate page below your essay?
- Have you met or exceeded the required length for each reflection response?
Before You Submit
- Have you given your essay a title?
- Have you included your name, date, and course at the top left of the page?
- Is your essay between 3-5 pages (1,000-1,500 words)?
Reflection Questions
- How did your purpose and audience shape the way in which you wrote your argument? (1-2 sentences)
- What was the most difficult part of writing your argumentative essay? (2-3 sentences)
- Which appeals did you use and how do you think they strengthened your argument? (3-4 sentences)
- How has your understanding of argumentative writing changed after completing this unit? (2-3 sentences)
Scoring
Your composition and reflection will be scored according to the Touchstone 2 Rubric, which considers your essay structure, essay organization, argumentative claim and focus, development and support for your argument, style and conventions.
Sources and Citations
You are required to use at least two outside sources as evidence for your argument.
