Critical Thinking, Speaking, and Writing - Goals and Grading Criteria -Core 115-02 & Core 165-02 

1. Identify Issue/Question/Topic. Clearly identify and describe an issue or problem. When answering an essay question, zero in on what the question is asking and respond fully. Often you will determine and explain the context in which an issue, problem, or question arises. (Examples: historical, scientific, etc.)  In a written work there should be a clearly stated, plausible, and developed thesis.

2. Define. Define key terms and concepts. Hone in on what is distinctive (necessary and sufficient conditions: if and only if).

3. Locate Explicit and Implicit Assumptions.

a. Identify your own assumptions/presuppositions. In written work explain these as well as their justification if they are unfamiliar or in dispute.

b. Identify the assumptions/presuppositions of works that you are analyzing and/or writing about. Use this information to understand and evaluate the work(s).

4. Support, provide evidence, illustrate. Offer citations, examples, analogies,  etc. to illustrate, clarify, or support your thesis or position. Provide relevant, convincing, and logical reasons why a reader/hearer should accept your thesis, interpretation, or position.

5. Identify and Entertain Other Points of View. Identify and charitably entertain the positions of others. Consider a range of views. In writing or speaking these should be accurately presented and analyzed.

6. Deal with both Strengths and Weaknesses/Respond to Likely Objections. Treat both the strengths and weaknesses of your thesis, interpretation, or argument. This may include a survey of alternative approaches, interpretations, or solutions. Identify all important evidence and counter-evidence. Answer obvious objections. 

7. Make Connections - Draw connections to material from this course, from other courses, or from personal experience. Build upon previous work and experience where possible.

8. Be Creative - Exhibit creativity in seeking to solve a problem, answer questions, offer an interpretation, or make an argument. 

9. Make an Effort/ Seek Depth - You should read carefully the assigned readings– often more than once. Your oral or written work should show an appropriate degree of effort and thought.

A. Organize and Provide a Road Map for your Reader.

All paragraphs should be clearly related to one another and play a role in the overall development of the essay or paper. The structure should be logical with no unnecessary wandering. Your introductory and concluding paragraphs should be strong, often allowing the paper to come full circle. Provide smooth transitions between paragraphs. Don’t be afraid to guide the reader. The reader should be able to see and follow the structure of your argument, to clearly identify topic sentence(s) of each paragraph and to see how each paragraph relates to the whole. In reviewing your work, ask yourself if a different arrangement of paragraphs would develop your thesis more effectively. Can any be deleted? Should any be added? To check on organization: Make an outline of your first draft, either before or after writing the draft. You will then be able to see any organizational problems and fix them in the next draft.

B. Correct Spelling. Always use spell-check. Be on the look out for problem words such as affect/effect, except/accept, it's/its, their/there, principle/principal, dilemma, loose/lose, to/too/two, whether/weather, then and than.

C. Correct Grammar and Word Choice.. The following are points that drive this instructor nuts:

1. Sentences do not ordinarily end with a preposition.

2. Infinitives are not split. "To run swiftly" not "to swiftly run". "Not to run" rather than "to not run." Also, "Try to do" not "try and do."

3. Subject/verb agreement. He is. They are. (Not: they is).

4. No run-on or unnecessarily long, complex (multiple clauses), or passive sentences. (Usually, "Jane hit the ball" not "The ball was hit by Jane"–unless you are emphasizing the ball on purpose.)

5. Avoid "Big" words where unnecessary and/or slightly off target. The pugilist struck Jack in the visage. -vs- The fighter hit Jack in the face. Don’t go hog wild with your thesaurus!

D. Cite Carefully. Plagiarism is totally unacceptable.

1. Quotations must be identified by quotation marks.

2. Indent quotations longer than five lines.

3.  Introduce quotations smoothly and indicate why the quotation is being used. 

4. Properly attribute quotations or resource materials in a standard citation form such as MLA, Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), University of Chicago A or B. Only use APA style if you add pages numbers to your citations. You must cite the sources of quotations and of ideas that you take from sources.  You may use in-text citations, footnotes, or endnotes, so long as you are consistent throughout the essay.

5.  Do not simply change a few words in a sentence [that is plagiarism]. In that case it would be better to quote.  

6. Do not make up citations.

7. Cite ALL sources used including personal communications, internet material, other student papers, etc.

*****I will assume that you have read and understood G. Harvey, Writing with Sources. WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE.

E. Format. One inch to 1-1/4 inch margins on all sides. Double spacing of main body of paper. Each page is numbered and author’s last name given.

Paul Brian from WSU has a great website that helps you find answers to grammatical puzzles: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/index.html

English Style, Grammar, Documentation, and Dictionary Links can be found on my website at http://www.class.uidaho.edu/jcanders/english_style.htm

Visit your Mentor or the UI Writing Center - The Writing Center is located in Room 323 on the third floor of the Idaho Commons. Tutors help students with writing projects. For more information, the URL is http://www.class.uidaho.edu/english/WritingCenter/

Come to see me during my office hours or make an appointment.

Other on-line helps include: 

Writing Argumentative Essays - http://www.eslplanet.com/teachertools/argueweb/frntpage.htm

Paradigm On-line Writing Assistant - http://www.powa.org/

Purdue University On-line Writing Lab Handouts - the general writing concerns section would probably be the most helpful section for this assignment

Citation FAQ

Chicago Manual of Style - currently searchable for free if you sign up.  This is the best guide for all questions related to writing for publication.  Almost literally everything you ever wanted to know about style and documentation.

Access to Oxford English Dictionary through the UI