Assignment Topic
This week, your assignment is to write the introduction and conclusion to your news article.
Assignment Directions
Introduction:
Begin your introduction with a hook. A hook is something that grabs the reader’s attention. It tells the reader why the topic is important and why people should care about it. An example of a hook could be a surprising fact, a startling statistic, or an amusing anecdote.
Once you’ve gotten the reader interested, now it is time to explain a bit more about your topic choice. You may wish to share why you’ve chosen this topic by explaining how it affects you or people who are close to you.
As you near the end of your introduction, you include a sentence that expresses your main point, or thesis, and that previews the structure and content of the body of your article. For example, your main point might be that the human activity you’ve chosen to discuss is environmentally harmful, and that it disproportionately impacts people with preexisting medical conditions as well those who are older. If you prefer, you may separate the thesis and preview into two separate sentences.
Conclusion:
Conclusions can be tricky to write. We’re often told not to introduce anything new, but we’re also told not to simply repeat what we’ve already written.
It’s a good idea to summarize how the evidence presented in the sociological analysis portion of the news article supports the thesis expressed in the introduction. After that, one may conclude the conclusion with a forward-looking statement on what may, or should, happen in the future. For example, one might urge one’s local leaders to take the necessary steps to address the environmental impacts discussed in the sociological impact section of the article.
Note on Source Use:
Generally speaking, there is less source use in the introduction and conclusion than there is in the body of an article. However, any sources used must be cited in APA style. For instance, if you include a statistic in your introduction, you must provide the source for that information in APA style.
This week you will submit the finished version of your Environmental Issues in the News article. It consists of the introduction, conclusion, and sociological analysis of the environmental impact of the topic you chose.
Format
- Cover page in APA style
- Introduction (from Week 5)
- Sociological Analysis (from Week 4)
- Conclusion (from Week 5)
- References page
Length Requirement: Approximately 800 words.
This assignment will be graded based on the rubric below.
RubricWeek 7: Course Project—Environmental Issues in the News Final Submission Grading RubricWeek 7: Course Project—Environmental Issues in the News Final Submission Grading RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCover PageCover page is in APA format and includes all required information.10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroductionIntroduction provides a hook, explanation of the topic, thesis statement, and content preview.40 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSociological ImpactIncludes a clear, detailed, and convincing sociological impact on two groups. Analysis features at least two direct quotations. Quotations are identified with quotation marks and are taken word for word from the source.40 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusionConclusion summarizes the evidence that supports the writer’s thesis. Ends on a forward-looking note.30 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReferences PageReferences page includes all sources referred to in the news article, and is correctly formatted in APA style.20 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks20 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength RequirementAssignment meets the stated length requirement.10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 pts
Total Points: 150
