Essay #3 Eng 101

Cause & Effect Analysis

Directions: Read one of the following essays: Read one of the following essays: Caroline
Knapp’s “Why We Keep Stuff: If You Want to Understand People, Take a Look at What They
Hang On To,” or Luscombe & Stinchfield’s “Why We Flirt.” Write a 3 – 4 page essay (plus a
Works Cited page) discussing the effectiveness of the author’s cause and effect techniques.
Follow the writing process by completing each of the following in order: prewriting, planning,
rough draft, revising, and publishing. Evidence of each stage of the writing process must be
submitted. MLA format must be followed. Each paragraph must be a minimum of seven to ten
sentences.
The introduction of the essay must begin with a quote, an example/story, surprising
fact/idea, strong opinion, or ask a question. The introduction must be a minimum of seven to ten
sentences and end with a thesis statement that clearly fits the size of the assignment; states a
single main point/position about the topic; is specific; can be shown, explained, or proven; and is
a forceful statement.
Each body paragraph must begin with a clear topic sentence and end with a strong
concluding sentence. The ideas must be arranged in a logical order as outlined by the thesis of
the essay. Support your ideas by quoting directly from the source. Topics to highlight include
purpose, patterns, reasoning errors, ethics, and thesis & details. Not all topics need to be
addressed in the essay: it is better to extensively analyze a few of the elements. Each body
paragraph must be a minimum of seven to ten sentences
The conclusion of the essay refers back to the thesis without direct restatement. The
conclusion summarizes the main points of the essay and also makes a further observation or
point. The conclusion must also link back to the introduction by re-asking and then answering a
question, finishing the example/story, using another quote, or using the same structure as in the
introduction. The conclusion must be a minimum of seven to ten sentences.
Grammar and mechanics will be graded for accuracy. Particular attention will be given to
topics previously covered in class. Papers with more than ten errors of topics covered in class
will receive a score of “No Grade.”
A – 25 pts. B – 21 pts. C – 19 pts. D – 16 pts. F – 14 pts.
Writing process; All parts are 1 component is 2 components are 3 components are 4 or more
MLA format submitted. Final missing from missing from missing from components are
copy follows MLA writing process or writing process or writing process or missing from
format. MLA format. MLA format. MLA format. writing process or
MLA format.

A – 15 pts. B – 13 pts. C – 11 pts. D – 10 pts. F – 8 pts.

Introduction All characteristics 1 characteristic is 2 characteristics 3 characteristics 4 or more
apparent weak or missing are weak or are weak or characteristics are
missing missing weak or missing
Body Paragraphs All characteristics 1 characteristic is 2 characteristics 3 characteristics 4 or more
apparent weak or missing are weak or are weak or characteristics are
missing missing weak or missing
Conclusion All characteristics 1 characteristic is 2 characteristics 3 characteristics 4 or more
apparent weak or missing are weak or are weak or characteristics are
missing missing weak or missing
A – 30 pts. B – 26 pts. C – 23 pts. D – 20 pts. F – 17 pts.
Grammar & less than 2 errors 3-4 errors in 5-6 errors in 7-8 errors in 9 or more errors in
Mechanics in grammar or grammar and grammar and grammar and grammar and
mechanics mechanics mechanics mechanics mechanics

EARNED: 100 Points Total