Part I
• Select and read any two of the five paragraphs at the end of this appendix under "Sample Paragraphs".
• Open a new Microsoft® Word document to begin your assignment.
• Copy and paste the topic sentence of each of the two sample paragraphs you selected into your assignment document. Include the sample paragraph numbers.
• Then, on the same document, write a one paragraph analysis of about 150 words, in which you do the following:
o Identify which of the two selected paragraphs was more effective, focusing on the writing elements rather than the opinions presented.
o Analyze why one paragraph was more effective than the other.
o In your analysis, compare the sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, variety, and the rhythm of both paragraphs.
o Underline your topic sentence.
• Save your assignment document to your computer.
• Submit your assignment document to WritePoint in the Center for Writing Excellence. To do so, click Library to the right of the Classroom tab. Then, click Submit a Paper for Grammar and Plagiarism Review. Upload your assignment document. Complete the information at the bottom of the page and select the check box for WritePoint.
o Once you submit the paper to WritePoint, you should have access to the results quickly. After a short time, go back into the Center for Writing Excellence and click My Papers to retrieve your results. You may need to refresh your screen a couple of times before your document is ready, evidenced by the green check mark. Click either the green check mark or WritePoint to open the results. A new document will open with the WritePoint feedback.
o Review the WritePoint feedback.
Part II
• Incorporate the WritePoint feedback to make corrections to your paragraph. As you review, understand that WritePoint may be helpful but is not always correct. Make only the corrections you feel are appropriate.
• Copy and paste your corrected paragraph onto your assignment document, under your first paragraph.
Part III
• On your assignment document, write paragraph of about 150 words, in which you describe the feedback you received from WritePoint.
o Provide specific examples of helpful suggestions.
o If applicable, provide specific examples of suggestions that may have been incorrect and explain why.
o Describe how to accommodate WritePoint submission and feedback time.
o Explain how the Center for Writing Excellence and WritePoint can be a useful for your future academic writing.
o Underline your topic sentence.
Part IV
• On your assignment document, write a paragraph of about 150 words, explaining how you can apply five of the writing elements you studied in this course to enhance your academic and professional writing. Refer to the first four weeks of your syllabus to review the writing elements.
Submit
• Label each of the four parts of your assignment, including:
o Part I: The copied and pasted topic sentences of the two paragraphs you selected to analyze, plus your one paragraph analysis
o Part II: The corrected version of your one paragraph analysis incorporating WritePoint feedback
o Part III: The paragraph describing feedback from WritePoint
o Part IV: The paragraph in which you explain how you can correctly apply the writing elements make your writing more effective
• Post your completed document as a Microsoft® Word attachment.
Sample Paragraphs
The five sample paragraphs follow. Choose two at random to read. Note that the paragraphs represent a range of quality. Some have errors and do not flow effectively.
1. A lot of people don't have wills. Everyone needs a will, but not all people have one. Wills are important because they explain who gets your stuff after you die. You don't want your things going to someone you don't want them to go to. My Aunt Martha went to a lawyer to get a will, I did my will online. My dad died in 1988. He didn't have a will. His stuff went to my step mom, who I don't get along with. If he would have had a will, I might have been able to start college sooner. But my dad didn't have a will. A will is good and you need to get one. Do you have a will?
2. Recent economic concerns prompted President Obama to meet with credit card industry executives in April 2009. The national credit card delinquency rate has continued to grow in recent times, and the president, along with Congress, aims to end unfair fees and increases in interest rates. In addition, the president asked that all terms, disclosures, and statements be clear and easy to read for consumers. Confusing terms, often laid out in fine print, are believed to have led to the nation's rising debt and delinquency.
3. Individuals can be denied credit for a number of reasons. Individuals who are near limits on existing cards, have too much outstanding debt or too many accounts overall, have a history of late payments, charge-offs or bankruptcy are likely to be denied credit. Individuals denied credit, by law, will receive a letter documenting the reason for the denial under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Individuals who receive that letter should then examine the reasons for the denial and make efforts to correct their credit.
4. Most consumers understand that a good credit score is vital to one's financial security and stability. Many people may not understand how a credit score is calculated. Payment history accounts for roughly 35% of one's overall score. This means that on-time payments are absolutely essential. Debt level is not far behind at 30%. This accounts for near-limits and the total amount of money owed. Length of credit history is next at 15%, followed by inquiries at 10% and mix of credit at 10%.
5. Avoiding and managing debt is hard. Things cost so much money that it's hard not to spend more than you make. The bills pile up, the utilities cost a lot, and going to the grocery store is expensive too. Then once those bills are paid, someone in the family gets hurt and needs to go the doctor, or an unexpected bill comes in like car tags or something. We are told to just use cash and not use credit cards to help stay out of debt. Who's going to pay those extra monthly bills if it's not the credit cards? Avoiding and managing debit is too hard.