Cause and Effect Argument Essay Assignment related to the sale, trade, or donation of organs
Choose a trend or phenomenon related to the sale, trade, or donation of human organs. The trend or phenomenon should have a definable set of causes and effects. Write a 1,5001,750-word argument using five to seven academic resources that persuades an audience to accept your explanation of the causes and effects of your chosen trend or phenomenon related to the sale, trade, or donation of human organs.
ENG-106 Rubric: Cause and Effect Argument
Criteria
% Value
1: Unsatisfactory
2: Less Than Satisfactory
3: Satisfactory
4: Good
5: Excellent
% Scaling
0%
65%
75%
85%
100%
Content & Ideas 40%
Cause and Effect Content and Ideas Should:
Include an effective title.
Present a thesis that centers specifically on a problem of cause and effect.
Use cause and effect chains and inductive reasoning to support the cause and effect argument established in the thesis.
Cite evidence that supports the cause and effect chains and inductive reasoning.
40%
Does not have title, and has missing or indiscernible thesis statement and minimal evidence to support main ideas. Argument includes elements of cause/effect, but the argument does not center on causes or consequences. The student does not use strategies that support cause and effect arguments.
Title may not suggest subject and does not spark interest. Thesis statement and/or the controlling idea are not clearly stated. Argument includes elements of cause/effect, but the argument does not center on causes or consequences and/or the writer does not use strategies that support cause and effect arguments very well. Ideas are underdeveloped and clichd. They do not support the thesis. Evidence from outside sources can be irrelevant.
Title suggests subject but does not spark interest. Thesis statement identifies the main point the author is trying to make. Most of content relates to thesis statement, but lacks sufficient support through appropriate strategies. Argument may not center specifically on cause/effect or use strategies that support cause and effect arguments effectively. Cited evidence sometimes does not justify ideas.
Title suggests subject but does not necessarily spark interest. Thesis statement clearly identifies the main point the author is trying to make. Argument centers specifically on cause/effect and uses strategies that support cause and effect arguments (cause and effect chains and inductive reasoning). Most of the content supports thesis, and cited evidence usually justifies ideas.
Title suggests subject and sparks interest. With a clear, controlling idea, thesis statement effectively identifies the main point the student is trying to make. Content supports thesis well. Argument centers specifically on cause/effect and effectively uses strategies that support cause and effect arguments (cause and effect chains and inductive reasoning). Specific, cited evidence justifies ideas and enriches the essay.
Organization 12%
Organization
12%
No apparent organization present. Ineffective introduction does not invite readers or explain the subject. The reader cannot find the thesis statement. Underdeveloped paragraphs lack focus and topic sentences. No conclusion present.
No apparent organization present. Introduction explains subject, but does not engage readers. Thesis is difficult to find. Underdeveloped paragraphs lack focus and topic sentences. Weak conclusion offered.
Organization is clear, but with minor errors. Introduction explains subject, but does not adequately engage readers. Thesis may be misplaced. Paragraphs are not developed around topic sentences, and may not always advance essay’s ideas. Conclusion summarizes but does not conclude.
Organization aids readers in understanding content. Introduction explains subject, but may not engage readers. Thesis statement is placed appropriately, according to the genre of the writing set forth in the assignment description in the syllabus. Well-ordered paragraphs are developed around topic sentences, and advance essay’s ideas. Conclusion may be more of a summary.
Logically organized to lead readers to understanding content. Introduction explains subject and engages readers. Thesis statement is placed appropriately, according to the genre set forth in the assignment description in the syllabus. Well-ordered paragraphs are developed around topic sentences, and advance essay’s ideas. Conclusion provides strong, satisfying ending, not a mere summary of the essay.
Format 16%
Paper Format
16%
Layout: Essay lacks more than THREE of the following: double-spaced, 12 pt, Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. Not all information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the page they appear; little or no in-text citations and/or entries on reference page used; major documentation oversights noted; major format errors and omissions noted; inappropriate number of required sources used.
Layout: Essay lacks THREE of the following: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. Not all information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the page they appear; missing more than one citation and/or reference entry; significant documentation oversights noted; significant format errors or omissions noted; inappropriate number of required sources used.
Layout: Essay lacks TWO of the following: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. Not all information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the page they appear; missing one in-text citation and/or reference entry; minor documentation oversights noted; minor formatting errors or omissions noted; appropriate number of required sources are used.
Essay lacks ONE of the following: double-spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. All information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited on the page that they appear and are listed on the references page (GCU format); some minor errors or omissions in format noted; appropriate number of required sources is used.
Layout: Essay is double-spaced with 12 pt. Times New Roman font, 1inch margins, heading (with name, course, date, and instructor), assignment title, and page numbers using appropriate header function. All information, paraphrases, quotations, and borrowed ideas are cited in parenthetical GCU format; all sources are listed on the references page (GCU format); all citations and reference entries are complete and in alphabetical order; appropriate number of required sources is used.
Language & Style 16%
Language & Style
16%
Voice & tone are inappropriate and ineffective in creating appropriate mood. Inappropriate word choice used. Sentence structure includes ungrammatical structures and no variety. Writing is wordy.
Voice & tone are inappropriate and ineffective in creating appropriate mood. Word choice fails in use of appropriate, precise language and strong verbs. Includes too many to be verbs. No attempt to vary sentence structure noted. Writing is wordy.
Voice & tone usually do not characterize ideas appropriately or effectively create appropriate mood. Word choice includes nonstandard outdated usage, too many to be verbs, is not precise, and is occasionally incorrect. Some slang or jargon exists in the paper. Inadequate variety in sentence structure noted. Writing is wordy.
Voice & tone usually characterize ideas effectively create appropriate mood. Word choice usually includes current standard usage, active verbs, concrete nouns, and precise words. Some slang or jargon exists in the paper. Some variety of sentence structures strengthens the ideas, creates vitality, and avoids choppiness in the writing. Writing is mostly concisely written.
Voice & tone characterize ideas and effectively create appropriate mood. Word choice includes current standard usage, active verbs, concrete nouns, and precise words. Sentence structures strengthen the ideas, create vitality, and avoid choppiness in the writing. Writing is concise.
Grammar & Mechanics 16%
Grammar & Mechanics
16%
Demonstrates no control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation conventions.
Many errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates minimal control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation conventions. Several errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates reasonable control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation conventions.
Some errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates high control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation conventions. Few errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
Demonstrates outstanding control of grammar, spelling, & punctuation conventions.
No errors, such as:
Apostrophe use
Capitalization
Commas misplaced or missing
Parallelism
Faulty point of view shifts
Pronoun agreement
Quotation errors
Semicolons misused
Run-ons & fragments
Spelling errors
Subject-verb agreement
Tense shifts
PAGE
2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Cause and Effect Argument Essay Assignment
Goal
Choose a trend or phenomenon related to the sale, trade, or donation of human organs. The trend or phenomenon should have a definable set of causes and effects. Write a 1,5001,750-word argument using five to seven academic resources that persuades an audience to accept your explanation of the causes and effects of your chosen trend or phenomenon related to the sale, trade, or donation of human organs.
Directions
Imagine your issue either as a puzzle or as a disagreement. If your issue is like a puzzle that needs to be put together, your task will be to create a convincing case for an audience that does not have an answer to your cause and effect question already in mind. If your issue is like a disagreement that needs to be resolved, your argument must be overtly persuasive because your goal will be to change your audiences views.
Be sure to examine alternative hypotheses or opposing views and explain your reasons for rejecting them.
This essay is NOT a CASUAL essay. Instead, it is a cause and effect essay. A cause and effect essay explains the causes and effects of a trend or phenomenon involving the sale, trade, or donation of human organs.
First Draft Grading
You will receive completion points for the first draft based upon the successful submission of a complete draft.
Because your first draft is a completion grade, do not assume that this grade reflects or predicts the final grade. If you do not consider your instructors comments, you may be deducted points on your final draft.
Final Draft Grading
The essay will be graded using a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations.
Sources
Include in-text citations and a references page in GCU Style for FIVE to SEVEN scholarly sources outside of class texts.
These sources should be used to support any claims you make and should be present in the text of the essay.
Use the GCU Library to help you find sources.
Include this research in the paper in a scholarly manner.
Format
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
LopesWrite
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
