Mini Assignment 2 Template
Title and/or author of the source for the Research-Driven Critique Essay
Deconstruct the Source
Write a one-paragraph summary. Answer questions based on your source.
Summary
Write a paragraph that answers the following questions. (Begin with a suitable topic sentence.)
If you’re using an argument:
In what ways is the argument logical, fair, and reasonable? Even if you happen to think it’s weak, why might some reasonable people agree with the author?
What are the problems, flaws, or gaps in the argument? Even if you think it’s basically strong, why might some reasonable people disagree with the author? What objections can you raise about the argument? Try hard to be rigorous, but if you really can’t find “flaws,” what new questions and areas for development does the argument raise?
OR
If you’re using a narrative:
What makes the narrative seem truthful, important, and relevant? Why should the narrative matter to other people today?
What voice or perspective does the narrative allow us to hear that is perhaps often hidden? Moreover, what do you think are some other possible perspectives on the same issue/problem raised in the narrative? In other words, how would the same experience/issue/problem look from a different perspective?Academic Integrity
For each of the three scenarios below, identify whether the action is acceptable or unacceptable, and give the reason why.
Scenario 1
You copy a paragraph or an image from an Internet source and paste it into your COMM 171 essay.
Is this action acceptable or unacceptable? Why?
Scenario 2
You and your friend complete an essay that your instructor said must be done independently, and each of you submits it as your own work in different sections of COMM 171. Is this action acceptable or unacceptable? Why?
Scenario 3
You conduct research on a topic and paraphrase it in your COMM 171 essay by using your own words and a unique sentence structure. You use synonyms where possible. You include an in-text citation and a reference list entry. Is this action acceptable or unacceptable? Why?
