Blog 7

• Do you clearly articulate how your evidence relates (i.e. supports, develops, complicates) your claim and position?

This part of the rubric I find beneficial because it reminds one that quotes can’t just be thrown into a paragraph. Each quote must be backed up and explained so that your argument is supported. Also so the reader can understand why you decided to use that quote. Evidence is an important part of a paper especially if it is argumentative, you need to show how you can prove your argument.

• Are your ideas front and center and do they reflect a deep understanding of the texts with which you engage?

Writing a paper with an opinion must be clearly stated. You want to make sure that your opinions and your points aren’t covered up. The reader needs to know your clear opinion and what you truly mean. You want your ideas to be clear and upfront. With your opinions not foggy the reader gets your side of the argument and it is easy to understand the points that you are making.

• Is there a logical relationship between your claim sentences and the original position statement?

With your initial claim/argument made in your introduction paragraph, you need to make sure that your following body paragraphs will correctly support what has been previously stated. It is important that with your future statements in your paper that you are not contradicting your original argument. The two must be connected, must have a relationship that they can work together. The overall statement should be clearly seen throughout your paper and it should be easy to tell with your evidence.

• Does your conclusion—while rooted in your paper’s main themes—also introduce new directions for thought?

With every paper there must be a conclusion paragraph. The conclusion paragraph should wrap up your paper and go over what was said in the passages before. With the idea of wrapping up the paper you should also be able to leave the reader with maybe some new thoughts and questions. But those thoughts and questions should be related to your topic and should not be random and have them wondering about completely something else. There should be a wrap up and a power statement that the reader leaves with. The paper should be memorable and it’s usually because of this conclusion paragraph.