ENG 111 Assessment Essay – Fall 2020

The purpose of this final writing assignment of the class is to assess your ability to write a coherent, unified argument that uses references to sources as part of the reasons and evidence that support the claim.

Your final Assessment Essay will be based on one of the topic options that follow. Consider all the options and then select one on which to write your final paper. Before you start writing, read the selections in Everyone’s an Author that go with the option you choose. Make sure you understand the authors’ main ideas in these works. Your paper should show a close connection to these sources. It is from these works – and possibly others, if you so choose – that you will quote and paraphrase to develop your argument essay.

Remember to follow the steps of the writing process as you progress through this assignment to ensure that you end up with an essay that is the best it can be.

General essay requirements (these apply to all options):

• Essay must be an argument.
• Length should be at least 1000 words, including the works cited page.
• Essay must conform to 8^th edition MLA style guidelines; use one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Three or more sources must be incorporated into your essay and properly documented; one or more of the sources must be from the articles in Everyone’s an Author that are listed for the option you choose. You must include appropriate in-text citations for all sources and a works cited page with entries for all cited works.

Topic Options:

Option 1:

Some people believe that education – “the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge and of developing the powers of reasoning and judgment” (Webster’s College Dictionary) – takes place only in schools. Some also believe that the study of certain subjects is more valuable than learning other subjects; an example of this kind of thinking was the privileging of reading, writing, and arithmetic – the “three Rs” of 19^th and 20^th Century public education – over all other subjects. Are these beliefs valid today? Or are there other ways in today’s world for a person to become “educated”?

The following works may be used for this option:

Option 2:

Work is a huge part of the lives of most Americans: work occupies a major portion of our time, our thoughts, and our conversations. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that for many of us our job comes to define our identity. While this outcome may seem normal, is it good for us? Would it be better for most people to keep work in perspective and not let it dominate their sense of who they are?

The following works may be used for this option:

Option 3:

Modern technology has dramatically changed the way people communicate with one another, seek and share information, and interact socially with friends, family, and even strangers. Most of us have come to rely on our “devices” – our smartphones and laptops and tablets – for all kinds of things, and for many it would be hard to imagine life without them. This is especially important right now, with much of our lives and interactions with others taking place virtually: we’re working from home, taking classes online, gathering with family via Zoom or FaceTime, and so on. Is our reliance on this technology healthy? As this trend continues and even expands, as it seems likely to do, what will be the result?

The following works may be used for this option:

Option 4:

The world is a very diverse place, and life in most parts of the United States today reflects this fact. Generally, this diversity makes life richer and more interesting due to the interactions with others that it makes possible. But it can also lead to friction among the various groups and subgroups that make up the larger culture. Sometimes this friction leads to disagreements that play out peacefully and respectfully, but it can also lead to interactions that are not peaceful and respectful. What is your view of the diversity that exists in the United States today? Does it make us a stronger country, or one that will never be able to get along? Do you think it’s inevitable that the differences that exist will sometimes lead to protests and violence?

The following works may be used for this option: