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1

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday, of Unit 4
Points: 100

Overview:

This assignment requires you to write two paragraphs to explore the issue you select from the list below. Each

paragraph should focus on one topic related to your issue. For example, if you select “Should artificial
intelligence (AI) be used in classrooms?” first begin by determining what you know about the overall issue.
Why do some experts argue for the use of AI in classrooms? Why do some experts argue against that same use
of technology? What solutions deal with the use of AI in the classroom and are important to consider? What do
you think your own position on the issue would be? Then, determine two reasons (topics) that you want to
explore in this prewrite assignment related to the use of AI in the classroom. Write one paragraph exploring one
topic (reason) related to the issue and a second paragraph exploring another topic (reason) also related to that
issue. This assignment is designed to let you explore what you know about the issue.

In one paragraph, you will use a direct quote to support your topic. In the other paragraph,
you will use a paraphrase. Please see the explanation of a direct quote and paraphrase
below. You should treat these two paragraphs as body paragraphs and write them using
objective third-person language. You do not need to include an introduction or a conclusion
with this assignment.

Instructions:

1. Select ONE of these issues:

a. Should artificial intelligence (AI) be used in classrooms?

b. Should books be banned from school libraries?

c. Should college graduates receive debt forgiveness?

2. Go to the Library database and search for one article on the issue. Please do not use
Google to find this article. You should be using the Post University Library databases
rather than sources such as Wikipedia and Procon.org.

3. Read the article and underline important sentences that will offer information about the
issue you selected.

4. Create two paragraphs that explore that issue. Focus on those two reasons that you
highlighted above related to your issue. Each paragraph should begin with a clear topic
sentence. One of the paragraphs should include a direct quote. The other paragraph

ENG110 – College Writing

Unit 4 Assignment: Issue Prewrite

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should include a paraphrase of a quote from the article. Be sure to include an in-text
citation for the direct quote, (Author’s Last Name, year of publication, p. #), and an in-text
citation for the paraphrase, (Author’s Last Name, year of publication). You should select a
direct quote and paraphrase that support the specific topics of each paragraph.

5. Make sure you create a reference page for the article you use in your paragraphs.

Sample of a Direct Quote and a Paraphrase

Direct Quote: When you direct quote, you take the exact words from the source and

put quotation marks around it, include a citation after the quote, and put the reference

for the article on the References page.

Here is an example of a direct quote on the subject of standardized testing:

“A long trend line preceding the pandemic already points to institutions gradually

moving away from current standardized assessments” (Ci, 2020, p. 34).

Paraphrase: When you paraphrase, you take the direct quote, stick to the same

length, and put it into your own words.

Here is an example of a paraphrase of the above direct quote:

Trends happening before the pandemic indicate that many educational institutions are

getting away from assessments based on standardized testing (Ci, 2020).

For both the direct quote and paraphrase, you would include an in-text citation after

the evidence and also add the following reference on the references page-

Cai, L. (2020). Standardized testing in college admissions: Observations and

reflections. Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, 39(3), 34–36.

https://doi-org.postu.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/emip.12389

Requirements:

• Submit a Word document or PDF.

• Include an APA formatted title page and proper APA style formatting on the document

(Times New Roman, 12-point font suggested), with 1-inch margins and double-
spaced.

• Each paragraph should be 7–9 sentences.

• Use evidence from an academic and reliable library resource that includes a
direct quote and paraphrase. Make sure to include that evidence in your essay
with parenthetical citations and a references page. Follow proper APA format
when including that evidence.

• Use objective third-person language: “he,” “she,” “it,” “him,” “her,”

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“himself,” “herself,” “itself,” “they,” “them,” “their,” “themselves.” (Avoid

subjective language, such as “I,” “me,” “you,” “we,” “us,” etc.)

Be sure to read the criteria by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again
after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for Issue Prewrite

CRITERIA Novice Emerging Competent Exemplary

Direct
quote/paraphrase

(0–14 Points) (15–19 Points) (20–22 Points) (23–25 Points)

Direct
quote/paraphrase is
not incorporated in
the paragraphs or
does not relate to
the topic of the
paragraph(s). No in-
text citations are
used.

Direct
quote/paraphrase is
attempted but is not
incorporated in the
paragraph(s)
correctly. In-text
citations may not be
included or may not
be properly
formatted.

Direct
quote/paraphrase is
present in the
paragraph and
offers basic support
to the topic of the
paragraph.
In-text citations
include very few
errors.

Direct
quote/paraphrase is
present and
incorporated
properly and
supports the topic of
the paragraph. In-
text citations are
included and
properly formatted.

Paragraph
Structure

No topic sentence is
used to focus the
paragraph(s), and
the overall
paragraph(s) does
not have a clear
topic related to a
pro/con of the issue.
The paragraph is
not formatted
correctly and
includes no
supporting
sentences.

A topic sentence is
attempted to focus
the paragraph(s)
but is, at times,
either too general or
too specific to show
the pro/con of the
issue. The
paragraph itself
sometimes gets off-
topic and/or
includes supporting
sentences that do
not relate to the
pro/con topic.

A topic sentence is
attempted to focus
the paragraph(s)
and is generally well
crafted to show the
pro/con of the issue.
The paragraph itself
generally stays on-
topic and includes
some supporting
sentences that
relate better to the
pro/con topics.

A topic sentence is
attempted that
effectively focuses
the paragraph(s) to
show the pro/con of
the issue. The
paragraph itself
stays consistently
on-topic and
includes supporting
sentences that
relate well to the
topic.

Objective
Voice

(0–11 Points) (12–15 Points) (16–17 Points) (18–20 Points)

The writer’s voice
is not objective.
First- and second-
person are used
consistently.

The writer’s voice
is not always
objective.
Third-person is
used incorrectly,
and first/second
person is often
used.

The writer’s voice
is mostly
objective, using
third-person and
only occasionally
slipping into first-
or second-person.

The writer’s voice
remains objective,
using third person
without slipping
into first- or
second-person.

(0–5 Points) (6–7 Points) (8 Points) (9–10 Points)

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CRITERIA Novice Emerging Competent Exemplary

Paragraph
Length

Paragraph is only
one sentence.

Paragraph is
between 2 and 4
sentences.

Paragraph is
between 5 and 6
sentences.

Paragraph is at
least 7 sentences
in length.

APA Format APA format is not
followed.

APA format is
sometimes
followed.

APA format is
mostly followed.

APA format is
followed.

Grammar and
Mechanics

Writing is hard to
understand
because of errors
in grammar,
spelling, and
punctuation.
Word choice is
inappropriate for
an academic
setting. Sentence
structure is often
unclear.

Writing is
sometimes difficult
to understand
because of
several errors
in grammar,
punctuation, and
spelling. Word
choice is
sometimes
inappropriate for
an academic
setting. Sentence
structure is
sometimes
unclear.

Writing is easy to
understand
despite minor
errors in
punctuation,
spelling, and
grammar.
Appropriate word
choice is used for
an academic
setting. Sentence
structure is mostly
clear.

Writing is free of
almost all
punctuation,
spelling, and
grammar errors.
Appropriate word
choice is used for
an academic
setting. Sentence
structure is clear.