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Please see attached for the Topic selection.1. Outline2. A 2,000 to 2,500 word Research Essay 3. A 500 ti 750 word Reflection Essay
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Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
Final Assessment Outline
Written Communications
Competency Name: Written Communications
Competency Statement: Compose written arguments that are coherent, grammatically correct, and rhetorically aware.
Summative Assessment Submission Title: Research and Reflection Essays
Competency Objectives:
1. Write grammatically correct multi-paragraph essays.
2. Identify the central ideas in a text, including distinguishing facts from assertions.
3. Assess a reading and one’s own writing by analyzing audience, purpose, ethos, pathos, and logos.
4. Demonstrate the writing process by drafting, revising, and editing an academic essay.
5. Construct a written argument that synthesizes several points of view and anticipates readers’ responses.
6. Document and cite sources accurately, using the APA citation system.
Program Learning Outcomes: N/A
Institutional Learning Outcomes: N/A
Purpose of This Assessment
The purpose of the Final Assessment for this competency is for you to demonstrate your knowledge of the writing and
research process, as well as to develop sound arguments and clearly convey them in writing. Additionally, you will be
asked to reflect upon your writing process.
Items Required for Submission
For this Final Assessment, you must submit one assignment consisting of two essays, each of which must follow APA
formatting guidelines. The essays are:
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
1. A 2,000 to 2,500-word research essay
2. A 500 to 750-word reflection essay
For each essay, you have the ability to submit drafts for instructive feedback before you submit the final version of your
Final Assessment. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to receive detailed feedback on
your drafts in order to help you master the final assessment on the first attempt and maximize your learning experience.
For more information about draft submissions, you can read below under “Step FIVE: Submit Your Research and
Reflection Essay Drafts for Feedback.“
There are FIVE STEPS to completing the Final Assessment for this competency:
Step ONE: Draft Your Research Essay
Your research essay requires the following:
● Write a 2,000 to 2,500-word research essay that: (1) explains the history and current debate of a controversial topic,
(2) asserts an opinion about the debate, and (3) ultimately persuades readers to support your position.
○ ”Debatable” means a topic about which intelligent, well-meaning people may disagree. Keep in mind that
your audience will be skeptical, so plan your arguments accordingly.
○ The key to a solid argument is to ensure that your argument is well-balanced, thorough, and supported by
information gleaned from credible written sources such as scholarly journals, trade publications, and books.
● Your research essay must include the following elements:
○ Clear title and introduction, which present the history of the problem in an engaging manner
○ Accurate description of the topic as it is currently presented in the literature and clear descriptions of the
various viewpoints
○ Evaluation and analysis of the debate
○ At least eight reliable and authoritative secondary sources
● To help you get started, try following these steps:
○ Begin by drafting an outline of your research essay.
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
○ Use your outline to write a rough draft of your paper that incorporates your sources.
■ Take advantage of credible websites, radio, or even television programs, but not to the exclusion of
printed sources. If possible, interview a leader in the field- the idea is to have a balance of source types.
Remember to use your critical thinking skills to determine the validity and reliability of each source before
you decide to include it.
■ Your sources should be current (usually not more than ten years old), unless you are providing historical
background or the source is a seminal work in the field. All quotations, summaries, and paraphrases
must be correctly cited and documented using APA citation guidelines.
Step TWO: Complete the Research Essay Submission Checklist
Before you submit, check to see if you believe you have met the criteria noted below.
Did you….
ü Select and explain the history and current debate of a controversial topic?
ü Provide a clear title and introduction that is engaging for your audience?
ü Clearly present the debatable issue and make connections between different viewpoints?
ü Present your own point of view and make persuasive arguments in favor of it?
ü Conduct a thorough evaluation and analysis of the debate?
ü Cite at least eight reliable, authoritative sources?
ü Demonstrate APA academic writing which is clear, concise, and factually correct?
ü Adhere to the 2,000 to 2,500-word length requirement, double-space your essay, and use the 12-point Times New
Roman font?
Step THREE: Draft Your Reflection Essay
Your reflection essay requires the following:
● Write a 500 to 750-word reflection essay on what you have learned about the research writing process in response
to each of the following prompts:
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
o Take a look back at the Topic Proposal Learning Activity in Objective 7, Topic 5. What have you learned
about yourself as a researcher and writer? Did you change your topic, your audience, or your working thesis
in any way during your writing process? Did you use the same sources you originally listed? Why or why not?
o Now that you have successfully completed the process of writing an academic research essay, reflect upon
the experience. Did you develop a certain process to complete the work? In the future, would you amend that
process in any way? Did breaking the long essay down into smaller parts help? Is this an approach you might
use with future assignments? Why or why not?
o Finally, if you have not already explained this, what do you believe to be your writing weaknesses and
strengths?
● Your reflection essay must include the following elements:
○ An introductory paragraph which includes a thesis statement
○ At least three body paragraphs
○ A clear conclusion
○ Consistent language style and voice
● Because this is a personal essay, you may use first or second person, as well as contractions.
Step FOUR: Complete the Reflection Essay Submission Checklist
Before you submit your draft, check to see if you believe you have met the criteria noted below.
Did you….
ü Create a title that clearly and specifically reflects the content of your reflection essay?
ü Answer each of the prompts listed under Step Three?
ü Write at least three body paragraphs with a clear introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion?
ü Include transitions appropriately to ensure that ideas are logical and build upon the preceding points?
ü Write your essay using consistent language style and voice?
ü Adhere to the 500 to 750-word length requirement, double-space your essay, and use the 12-point Times New
Roman font?
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
Step FIVE: Submit Drafts of Your Research and Reflection Essays
In this competency, you may submit drafts of your Final Assessment essays for instructive feedback before you make
your final submission. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your work and
enhance your learning experience. When you submit a draft, an assessment grader will review your draft and return
specific comments to you in your document. Consider these comments carefully and use them to improve your work.
Once you have made your edits, you can submit another draft of the essay or you can choose to make your final
submission.
Note: If you choose to submit another draft of your essay, please do not erase the comments you received from
the grader and make all of your revisions using the “Track Changes” features of your word processor.
To submit a draft on the Web:
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Access the “Final Assessment” tab
Access the appropriate submission attempt
Choose a file from your device to upload
Select “Open”
Upload additional files, as needed
Optional: Write a comment for the Assessment Grader to review
Select “Draft Submission”
On the confirmation, select “Submit”
Please note, once you upload your draft, you will not be able to submit files for this assessment until the
Assessment Grader returns your submission.
To submit your final assignment on Web:
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Access the “Final Assessment” tab
Access the appropriate submission attempt
Choose a file from your device to upload
Select “Open”
Upload additional files, as needed
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
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Optional: Write a comment for the Assessment Grader to review
Select “Final Submission”
On the confirmation, select “Submit”
To submit a draft on iOS:
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Access the “Final Assessment” section.
Access the appropriate submission attempt.
Select the option to “Add File.”
Select a file from your device using Box.com.
o For instructions about how to use Box.com, select the yellow information (“i”) button on the screen pictured
below).
o If there are multiple assignments in your Final Assessment, make sure to add a file for each assignment.
Add any comments you want to send to the Assessment Grader along with your file by selecting “Add Comments
For Consideration (optional).”
Select “Submit Assessment.”
Read the pop-up window describing the terms and conditions regarding your submission. If you agree, select “I
Agree.”
A pop-up window will appear asking whether the final should be submitted as a draft. Select YES.
Please note, once you upload your draft, you will not be able to submit files for this assessment until the
Assessment Grader returns your submission.
To submit your final assignment on iOS:
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Follow the same steps as you would for a draft.
When you are asked whether the final should be submitted as a draft, select NO.
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
Final Assessment Scoring Rubric
CRITERION
Title/Intro
History of
Problem
(Research
Essay)
Current
Debate
(Research
Essay)
Sources
(Research
Essay)
EMERGING
DEVELOPING
PROFICIENT
EXEMPLARY
Title of the essay may reflect
content in a vague,
generalized manner or be
missing altogether; opening is
ineffective, poorly organized,
and/or undeveloped
(inappropriately brief); the
essay may lack clear
transitions between the
opening and the context or
history of the issue; history of
the topic is unfocused and not
clearly summarized.
Title of the essay reflects its
content; opening is functional,
but too brief and/or simplistic;
essay’s topic is apparent, but
needs to be developed to
engage the reader; the essay
may lack clear transitions
between the opening and the
context or history of the issue;
history of the topic is
generally focused and
summarized.
Title of the essay clearly
reflects its content; generally
engaging opening introduces
the essay’s topic, but may not
inspire thinking about the
topic; the essay logically
proceeds to the context or
history of the issue; history of
the topic is generally wellfocused and concisely
summarized.
Title of the essay clearly and
specifically reflects its
content; engaging opening
introduces the essay’s
general topic and inspires
thinking about that topic;
logically proceeds to the
context or history of the
issue; history of topic is
appropriately focused and
concisely summarized.
Writing does not reflect a
critical, analytical
understanding of the debate
as it currently is presented in
the literature; the writer does
not clearly compare or make
connections between differing
viewpoints; writer frequently
uses biased language to
present differing viewpoints;
organization is unclear (block
or alternating.)
Writing sometimes reflects a
critical, analytical
understanding of the debate
as it currently is presented in
the literature; the writer
compares and makes
connections between some of
the differing viewpoints; writer
use some biased language to
present differing viewpoints;
organization is occasionally
unclear (block or alternating.)
Writing reflects a critical,
analytical understanding of
the debate as it currently is
presented in the literature;
the writer compares and
makes connections between
differing viewpoints; writer
uses unbiased language to
present differing viewpoints;
organization is clear (block or
alternating.)
Does not consistently
integrate credible academic
sources into the essay;
inconsistent adherence to
APA guidelines (which may
compromise integrity of the
essay); inaccurate
References or Works Cited
Somewhat integrates credible
academic sources into the
essay; adherence to APA
guidelines may be
inconsistent (but does not
compromise the integrity of
the essay); References or
Works Cited page may
Writing primarily reflects a
critical, analytical
understanding of the debate
as it currently is presented in
the literature; the writer
compares and makes
connections between most of
the differing viewpoints; writer
mostly uses unbiased
language to present differing
viewpoints; organization is
generally clear (block or
alternating.)
Generally integrates credible
academic sources into the
essay; proper use of APA
guidelines for in-text citations
which may contain minor
errors; accurate References
or Works Cited page which
may contain minor errors; the
Effectively integrates credible
academic sources into the
essay; proper use of APA
guidelines for in-text citations;
accurate References or
Works Cited page; the essay
uses at least eight reliable,
authoritative secondary
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
page (which may compromise
integrity of essay); the essay
does not use at least four
reliable, authoritative
secondary sources.
Organization
(Reflection
Essay)
Mechanics
(Research
&Reflection
Essays)
Essay does not have at least
five paragraphs or may not
have a clear introduction,
body, and conclusion; topic
sentences may be absent or
consistently lack focused
ideas, either offering general,
irrelevant comments or
stating facts about the issue
without analysis; there is a
weak or no discernible
argument or point guiding the
essay; concrete details are
absent or insufficient;
consistent lack of coherent
organization of ideas within
paragraphs and from one
paragraph to the next; points
of paragraphs are unclear.
Essay’s sentences reveal
frequent syntax, grammar,
and/or misspelling errors that
impair meaning; numerous
contractions, fragments, or
other significant errors that
impair meaning.
contain consistent errors
(which do not compromise
the integrity of the essay); the
essay uses at least five
reliable, authoritative
secondary sources.
Essay has a minimum of five
developed paragraphs with a
clear introduction, body, and
conclusion, though its
organization may be unclear;
topic sentences are present,
but more than one is weak in
the following areas: main idea
not discernible, vague
explanation of evidence,
and/or unclear connection to
thesis; concrete details are
present, but provide
insufficient evidence to
support topic sentences
and/or are irrelevant; lack of
coherent organization within
individual paragraphs or from
one paragraph to the next;
abrupt transitions may
impede smooth flow of ideas;
essay may lack consistent
focus and control of
argument.
Essay’s sentences lack
variety (frequently repeated
opening words and sentence
structure); awkward syntax
and grammar confuse writer’s
point and may impair
meaning; some misspellings,
contractions, fragments, or
essay uses at least six
reliable, authoritative
secondary sources; there may
be some imbalance between
quoted material and writer’s
analysis.
Essay has a minimum of five,
generally well-developed
paragraphs with a clear
introduction, body, and
conclusion; each topic
sentence generally connects
to the thesis, but in one or
more topic sentences the
main idea may need to be
clarified; concrete details are
generally well-chosen though
some may be irrelevant or
insufficient as evidence to
effectively support the thesis
and/or topic sentences;
paragraphs are generally
well-organized, though some
transitions may be awkward
and there may be gaps in the
development of ideas; the
point of most paragraphs is
clear.
sources; appropriate balance
of quoted material and
writer’s analysis.
Essay’s sentences are
generally effective, but may
lack appropriate variety (some
repeated opening words and
structure); syntax and
grammar may be awkward in
places (but do not impair
meaning); a few misspellings
Essay’s sentences are
marked by varying opening
words and structure; effective
syntax and grammar
demonstrate a mastery of
writing conventions and serve
the author’s purpose;
absence of misspellings,
Essay has an minimum of
five well-developed
paragraphs with a clear
introduction, body, and
conclusion; each topic
sentence clearly connects to
the thesis statement and
offers an identifiable, wellphrased idea to be proven in
the paragraph; concrete
details are well-chosen and
incorporated; paragraphs are
well-organized to create a
coherent, carefully developed
and supported argument;
transitions between ideas are
logical and each idea builds
on the preceding; writer
maintains focus and control
of the argument so that the
point of each paragraph is
always clear.
Written Communications Final Assessment: Outline & Rubric
other errors that impair
meaning in some places.
(but do not impair meaning).
punctuation errors.
Always use our library to find scholarly, academic, peer-reviewed research instead of just “googling.” Our
devices use cookies and record our preferences, so we tend to see the same one-sided opinions over
and over. If you are talking about a study, find the actual study. If you are discussing a law, find the actual
law. Beware of websites that just repeat opinions. Here is a list of topics that would be great to try:
1. People should adopt a dog or cat from an animal shelter.
2. Every student should learn to play a musical instrument.
3. Homework should be banned.
4. Children under 12 should not be allowed to drink soda.
5. PE should be required of all students throughout middle and high school.
6. All students should be required to volunteer in the community.
7. The Internet should be censored by the government.
8. Junk food should be banned from schools.
9. All students should be required to learn a foreign language.
10. All museums should be free to the public.
11. Children under 14 should not be allowed on social media.
12. Statewide standardized tests should be abolished.
13. People should be vegetarians.
14. Solar energy should replace all traditional forms of energy.
15. Zoos should be abolished.
16. Macs are better than PCs.
17. Androids are better than iPhones.
18. The moon should be colonized.
19. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) should be banned.
20. All students should be required to take a cooking class.
21. Everyone should exercise at least 30 minutes per day.
22. All citizens should be required to vote.
23. Professional athletes should not be paid so much money.
24. Grades should be abolished.
25. The voting age should be lowered.
26. Video games should not include so much violence.
27. Students should be required to learn about poetry.
28. The government should provide wireless service for everyone.
29. Sodas should not be permitted on campus.
30. Social media harms relationships.
31. Recycling should be required.
32. Children should not watch television on school nights.
33. People should compost.
34. The driving age should be 18.
35. The drinking age for alcohol should be 18.
36. Red light cameras should be banned.
37. There should be an age requirement to purchase caffeinated drinks.
38. Cell phones should not be permitted in class.
39. Everyone should limit their screen time.
40. Everyone should try meditation.
41. Students should take a year to work before starting college.
42. Online courses are not as beneficial as face-to-face classes.
43. Self-driving cars are unsafe.
44. Children under age 12 should not have cell phones.
45. Drivers should not be required to wear seat belts.
46. Cyclists should not be required to wear helmets.
47. It is better to spend your paycheck than to save it for the future.
48. It is better to buy a car than to lease one.
49. People should limit their fast-food intake.
50. Plastic bags should be banned.
51. Pit bulls should be permitted in apartments.
52. CPR should be required for anyone who owns a pool.
53. Hulu is better than Netflix.
54. People should only use cash and not credit cards.
55. Vinyl records and/or CDs are better than digital downloads.
Once you select your thesis, be sure to explore both sides of the issue and discuss objections. Be aware
of .com sites which may not be considered academic or scholarly. Most importantly, always use your own
words and do not copy and paste from online sources. This is your opportunity to use your voice and not
just repeat what you read online. Students will submit an outline draft prior to their final submission to
make sure they are on track. Thank you!
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