This assignment is based on essay writing. As you know, you will take the Undergraduate Communication Assessment in week 8. The undergraduate communication assessment will help Walsh understand your writing level and make sure you are prepared for other Communications courses.
Please read the "Undergraduate Communication Assessment Tips" lecture before starting this assignment.
This assignment has 4 parts:
Writing 4 thesis statements
Post two of your thesis statements in the discussion board by Friday night at 6 pm
Comment on two different posts in the discussion board by Monday night at 6 pm
Writing 1 essay (Submit all 4 thesis statements and this essay in 1 Word document here by Monday at 6 pm)
For each of the 4 essay topics below, you need to write a thesis statement. I am looking for a clearly stated opinion which answers the question in the topic, three supporting ideas for this opinion, and good grammar. Each thesis statement should be one sentence.
Post at least 2 of the thesis statements to the discussion board, and then comment on two other students' thesis statements. Ask them a question if you don't understand what they mean, or offer a suggestion if you think their grammar could improve.
Choose one of the 4 topics and write an essay. Here is what I expect in the essay:
Your introduction needs a story/example and the thesis statement.
You need 3 body paragraphs with a clear topic and some examples. The topic for each body paragraph should be one of the supporting ideas from the thesis.
The body paragraphs should be long-- aim for 7 sentences each.
You need a conclusion that restates the ideas in the thesis in different words.
This will be similar to the essay you write for the assessment: try to plan, write, and edit the essay in 40 minutes.
Thesis statement and essay prompts:
1. Most employees have access to the internet at work. Some people maintain that this allows them to manage their personal lives, such as banking and shopping, without taking time off work. Employers, however, find productivity is dropping because paid time is spent surfing the web for matters unrelated to the company. Should internet use be restricted at work? Support your position with detailed examples.
2. Minimum wage is a contentious topic in government. Many companies claim that higher wages would take away from company profits, so they would need to reduce hours for hourly employees and fire salaried employees. However, supporters believe that the higher wages could be paid from company profits and would encourage employees to be more productive. Should the minimum wage be raised or remain the same? Give detailed examples in your support.
3. Social media sites such as Facebook gather personal information about you. This information is sold to marketers and is often viewed by potential employers, insurance companies, and the IRS. Many argue that it is unethical to share data about individuals. Social media companies maintain that people post facts about themselves voluntarily and forfeit their right to privacy. Is data mining on social media sites an invasion of personal privacy? Support your position with detailed examples.
4. Many people rely on online reviews before clicking "place order" on Amazon. Other times, people dismiss online reviews as fakes. Are online reviews helpful and necessary for online shopping, or are they completely useless? Support your position with detailed examples.