Department of English Language and Linguistics ENGL 150: Essay Writing I Essay

Department of English Language and Linguistics

ENGL 150: Essay Writing I

Essay 1: Problem-Solution

Task:

Many of the problems we face seem simple, but thorough investigation shows that they can be complicated, if not overwhelming. Often, both the problems and solutions can be blamed or credited, not only on individual’s behaviors, but on society as a whole.

In a clearly written and well-researched essay, explore a major problem we face today. Choose one topic from the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Food Security

Gender Inequality

Racism

Global Migration

Animal Trafficking

Poor Nutrition (Malnutrition)/ Famine

Gun Violence

Sustainable Energy

Task:

Many of the problems we face seem simple, but thorough investigation shows that they can be complicated, if not overwhelming. Often, both the problems and solutions can be blamed or credited, not only on individual’s behaviors, but on society as a whole.

In a clearly written and well-researched essay, explore a major problem we face today. Choose one topic from the following:

Artificial Intelligence

Food Security

Gender Inequality

Racism

Global Migration

Animal Trafficking

Poor Nutrition (Malnutrition)/ Famine

Gun Violence

Sustainable Energy

This assignment is worth 15% of your total grade.

Deadline for Submission: 1/4/2024 before 11:00 pm via BB.

Directions:

1- Word Count: 650-700 words (fluctuation of only 5% is accepted, less than 600 words or more than 750 words, you will lose marks).

2- This is a pair assignment (2 students). Individual submissions will receive a Zero. You have to have 2 students to write this paper. This is done for the sake of peer review process.

3 Topic: Choose ONE TOPIC from the list of topics mentioned above.

4- Pattern of organization: Situation-Problem-Solution-Evaluation. Please follow the outline in page 3.

5- No references are required for this essay.

6- Check the rubric below.

Format:

1- Cover page: states the topic of the essay, the names of the members of the group and their ID numbers, the course name and section number

2- Font: 12 Times New Roman

3- Double Spaced

4- Only word document is accepted via BB.

Submission:

– One submission per group.

– You have to submit a soft copy via BB and a safe-assign report should be generated. If no safe-assign report is generated or your submission is still in progress, you will receive a Zero.

– Technical issues for accessing BB are not an excuse for missing the deadline and BB will not be reopened, so the student will receive a Zero.

– No excuses for late submission are accepted with the exception of sickness where the student has to submit a legitimate sick leave.

– In case of death, the student has to submit a copy of the obituary (death announcement that circulates over whatsapp or websites like وفيات قطر ).

E- Late or Missed Assignments:

Submitting a term paper on time is a key part of the assessment process. Students who fail to submit their work by the deadline specified will automatically receive a 10% penalty. Assignments handed in more than 24 hours late will receive a further 10% penalty. Each subsequent 24 hours will result in a further 10% penalty.

F- Plagiarism includes the following examples and it applies to all student assignments or submitted work:

Use of the work, ideas, images or words of someone else without his/her permission or reference to them.

Use of someone else’s wording, name, phrase, sentence, paragraph or essay without using

Quotation marks.

Misrepresentation of the sources that were used.

Asking someone to write your assignments and paying for a third party are both forms of plagiarism and students will receive a failing grade.

Another form of Plagiarism that is strictly prohibited is the Use of AI Tools, such as ChatGPT. This is an instance of cheating and represents a violation to Qu code of conduct. QU has AI detection system that automatically checks the use of AI tools for each submission via Turnitin.

Before contemplating using AI in your coursework, please keep in mind the following points:

Using paraphrasing tools such as Quillbot to paraphrase sections of articles or documents is also a form of AI content generation, and this will be detected by the system.

Using the option ‘Humanize’ provided by some AI content generation tools doesn’t make the content human-like product. Humanizing the content is also done via AI, and it doesn’t make it less detectable. 

Using Grammarly for checking spelling,  lexis, grammatical and punctuation mistakes is safe as detection tools are not tuned to target Grammarly-generated spelling, grammar, and punctuation modifications.

In case AI detection report shows that a student has used AI, this is the respective penalty:

Any percentage of AI use between 20%-59%, the student will receive the same deduction of percentage from her original grade.

60% of AI use and above, the student will receive an AV grade (will at the end translate as a ZERO) and a violation form will be signed and sent to student affairs.

In case the report shows different types of plagiarism rates; i.e., a percentage for the plagiarism of sources and AI detection percentage, the result will be the sum of these 2 types of plagiarism, and the student will be held accountable for the total number of both plagiarism rates (as explained in A & B above).

The instructor has the right to fail the coursework or deduct marks where plagiarism is detected.

Outline

Paragraph I – Introduction

Attention Grabber (question, or quote from a famous person)

Define the problem in simple terms

Explain why it has become or will become such a major problem (briefly)

Thesis statement that identifies the problem and lists the two solutions

Paragraph II- Body paragraph – The problem

What is the current situation of the problem? The topic sentence must state the problem,

What are some of the causes?

When did the problem start to become urgent and why?

Provide any statistics about the problem- percentages, degrees, projections, etc.

Paragraph III- Body paragraph – Solution 1 and evaluation

What is the first proposed solution? The topic sentence should state the first solution.

How could this solution be implemented?

What are some of its advantages, disadvantages or difficulties faced in implementing the solution (=evaluation)?

Paragraph IV- Body paragraph – Solution 2 and evaluation

What is the second proposed solution? The topic sentence should state the second solution.

How could this solution be implemented?

What are some of its advantages, disadvantages or difficulties faced in implementing the solution (=evaluation)?

Paragraph VI- Conclusion

Restate why this problem is so urgent

Restate what will happen if the problem is not addressed

Summarize the two most effective solutions

Final thought (optional)

Rubric – Problem Solution Essay

Ideas and Content (Problem Section)

Excellent

Writer offers solid and indisputable proof that a problem not only exists but that it is a grave problem that must be addressed. Writing is well- focused, clear and interesting. Holds the reader’s attention.
Contains supporting details that are rich, relevant, accurate.
Problem is clearly explained in detail with intelligent connections between points.

Average

Writer offers generic/obvious proof that a problem not only exists but that it is a grave problem that must be addressed.
Writing is focused, clear and contains easily understood ideas.
Support is present, although it may be limited or general.
Provides some predictable evidence supporting positions.
Explanations are limited but present.

Below Standard

Writer offers basic/limited proof that a problem not only exists but that it is a grave problem that must be addressed. Problem is developed somewhat, but limited in detail.
Provides evidence that is general or not clearly linked to a position.
Provides more of a list of ideas, not explaining how they are connected to a clear problem.

Ideas and Content (Solution Section)

Excellent

Writer offers solid and feasible solutions.
Writing is well- focused, clear and interesting.
Holds the reader’s attention.
Contains ample supporting details that are rich, relevant, accurate.
Solutions are clearly explained in detail and intelligent connections between points.

Average

Writer offers generic/obvious solutions.
Writing is focused, clear and contains easily understood ideas.

Support is present, although it may be limited or general.
Provides some predictable, non-convincing, evidence supporting positions.
Explanations are limited but present.

Below Standard

Writer offers basic/limited solutions.

Solutions are developed somewhat, but limited in detail evidence that is general or not clearly linked to a position.
Provides more of a list of ideas, does not explain how they are connected to a clear solution/s.

Organization/Sentence Fluency

Excellent

Order and structure are strong & compelling.

Effective opening/ introduction and satisfying closure/ concluding paragraph.

Clear and well-developed thesis statement.

Effective sequencing or ideas.
Writing is easy to follow. Sentences are well-constructed and demonstrate strong skill in varying sentence styles.

Smooth, effective transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas.

Average

Order and structure are competent.

Developed introduction and conclusion but not particularly interesting or satisfying.

Thesis exists but is not clear and does not stand out easily

Predictable sequencing.
Writing is fairly easy to follow.
Transitions may be formulaic.
Sentences are competent and demonstrate adequate skill in basic sentence styles, some problems with complex styles.

Below Standard

Overall structure is inconsistent or skeletal, and lacks a clear organizational structure.

Beginning or ending present but not well-developed. Attempts at sequencing;

Relationship between ideas may occasionally be unclear.

Uses the same transitional devices that sometimes work.

Sentences demonstrate basic mastery of simple sentence styles, some problems with complex styles impede meaning.

Difficult to follow.

Word Choice/Punctuation/ Grammar

Excellent

Language is accurate, strong, specific words; powerful words that energize the writing.

Vivid expressions/slang seems purposeful and effective.
Vocabulary is striking and varied, but not overdone.
Words evoke strong images.

Punctuation, spelling, grammar mechanics are correct

Average

Words work but don’t energize.

Expressions are functional.

Attempts at colorful language/slang may seem occasionally seem overdone or ineffective

Generally avoids clichés. Rare experiments with language, but may have some fine moments.

Punctuation, spelling, grammar and mechanics are competent.

Below Standards

Language is ordinary, mundane, generic or may be inappropriate to audience and purpose in places.

Attempts at original language/slang seem overdone or forced.

Misused words may occasionally appear.

Reliance on clichés and overused expressions.

Punctuation, spelling, grammar and mechanics contain basic errors, in addition to some errors on more complex sentences/words.