Question Description

Assignment 1: Essay
Due Week 4 and worth 100 points

Choose one (1) of the three (3) reading selections from the list of topic choices below. The focus is on brief but important primary source material written by major authors. Read the selections  as identified with each topic below. Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (250 words minimum) which analyzes the “surprise ending” of the reading selection. 

Topic Choices

• Reading selection from Descartes’ Discourse on the Method (Part IV). Descartes begins with a  proof of one basic conclusion and ends with a proof of something much grander. Remember to focus on the surprise and point of realization, not the details of the philosophical argument. Read Part IV of the Discourse on the Method located at http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/authors/descartes.html. This is only four or five (4 or 5) pages of the larger work.
• Reading selection of Swift’s A Modest Proposal. It is essential to recognize the genre of this work, as discussed in our class text, which you should consult and cite. Swift promotes a radical solution, but subtle options are mentioned. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. Read and focus on A Modest Proposal located at http://www.victorianweb.org/previctorian/swift/modest.html. 
• Two (2) reading selections from Voltaire’s Candide. Consider how these readings start and end in terms of the action and the beliefs. You are looking for surprise and a point of realization. These selections can be found on pp. 840-841 in the textbook. In addition, consult the class text at pp. 824-825.

For the reading selection you choose:

1. Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come at the end.
2. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you expected. 

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the Additional Resources section of their Student Center within their course shell for reference)
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
• Use the source(s) identified above for the topic you choose, focusing on the main primary source of that author. You may use additional sources also if they are of good academic quality for college papers (Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify). Use proper APA style in-text citing and also a matching APA style References list at the end.  

Assignment 1: Essay

Criteria

Unacceptable 
Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations 
60-69% D

Fair 
70-79% C

Proficient 
80-89% B

Exemplary 
90-100% A

1. Clearly state in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Clearly identify the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. Not all of the surprises come at the end. 
Weight: 40%

Did not submit or only partially submitted a clear statement of the "surprise ending" in your own words in the reading you selected. Did not submit or only partially identified with clarity the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you.

Insufficiently or inadequately submitted a clear statement of the "surprise ending" in your own words in the reading you selected.  Insufficiently or inadequately identified with clarity the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you.

Adequately stated with clarity in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected.  Adequately identified with clarity the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you.

Satisfactorily and clearly stated in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Satisfactorily and clearly identified the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you.

Thoroughly and clearly stated in your own words the “surprise ending” in the reading you selected. Thoroughly and clearly identified the point in the reading when you realized that there were elements in the reading that surprised you. 

2. Evaluate how successful the author was in convincing you to accept the validity of the “surprise ending” that was different from what you expected.
Weight: 40%

Did not submit or incompletely evaluated the author's success at providing a believable “surprise ending.”

Insufficiently evaluated the author's success at providing a believable “surprise ending.”

Partially evaluated the author's success at providing a believable “surprise ending.”

Satisfactorily evaluated the author's success at providing a believable “surprise ending.”

Thoroughly evaluated the author's success at providing a believable “surprise ending.”

3. Clarity, writing mechanics, referencing, and APA formatting requirements, including a reference list and matching in-text citations. 
Weight: 20%

More than 8 errors present

7-8 errors present

5-6 errors present

3-4 errors present

0-2 errors present