Assessment: Argumentative Essay
Length: 1200 word essay, 1.5 spacing, 12pt Times New Roman.
Write a 1200 word essay that contains correct in-text citations from at least eight academic sources along with a reference list which presents the full details of each source in alphabetical order.
• A minimum of four new academic sources must be found through your own searching.
• At least twoof the new sources must be peer-reviewed journal articles.
Your written assignment is to be informed by relevant communication theory and show evidence of an academic research process.
The in-text citations and reference list should conform to the conventions of either the nominated referencing style
Topic:
Essay Question
Communication skills are essential to excel in any discipline or field. Explain the three interpersonal communication skills of listening, feedback and questioning, and critically discuss the benefits of applying these skills within your particular discipline or field. The essay must develop a persuasive argument as to why these skills are useful in your particular discipline or field. Your essay must use relevant sources from both communication theory and your specific discipline.
Essay Check-list
1. Essay format / presentation
- Title page is the first page of the essay
- Student number (not name) is on each page
- 1.5 line spacing
- 12 point font, Times Roman
- Page numbers located in the right hand bottom corner of each page
- Student number located in the header
- Essay question appears on the title page
- Word count listed on the title page
- Reference style listed on the title page
- Completed spell check (electronic AND manual)
- Thorough proof-reading
- Minimum number of references consulted
- Reference list in correct and consistent with the nominated referencing format
- Reference list in alphabetical order and on separate page
2. Essay content
- Develops an appropriate thesis statement that acts as the basis for essay argument
- Substantiates argument by reference to appropriate and authoritative sources and analyses / synthesises sources
- Substantially covers the key questions on the issue (applies the 5Ws and the H to the topic - Who, What, When, Where, Why and How)
- Substantiates by sound argument/logic and evidence
- Avoids excessive reliance on opinion and generalisation
- Does not include irrelevant content
- Does not introduce new material in the conclusion
3. Essay structure
- Effectively sequences ideas
- Relates and integrates ideas through the use of transitions
- Clearly draws conclusions from preceding argument
4. Essay style
- Uses the most appropriate words and expressions for an academic essay on the chosen topic
- Avoids contractions (e.g. it's, can't, won't, isn't), colloquialisms/slang/profanity, abbreviations (e.g. uses ‘for example", not ‘e.g.'; uses ‘that is', no ‘i.e.'; does not use ‘etc.' or ‘etcetera')
- Avoids inappropriate jargon
- Explains and illustrates vague and complex concepts
- Conveys ideas concisely, directly, and concretely
- Uses clear and logical sentence construction
- Avoids sentence fragments
- Uses fully developed paragraphs with appropriate transitions
- Uses a rich and varied vocabulary - avoids clichés
- Does not use the firstperson (I, we, me, us, my, mine, our)
- Does not use expressions in the second person (you, your, yours)
- Maintains consistent tense
- Limits the use of direct quotations. Uses paraphrasing to demonstrate understanding.
- Uses ‘single' quotation marks
5. Essay mechanics
- Correct spelling
- Correct grammar
- Correct punctuation
- Correct, consistent and thorough documentation.