ENG 101 Commentary Writing Assignment Instructor: Diane Williams
Type up a three-to-four-page double-spaced commentary about a subject of importance to you. Refer to the guidelines for submitting an essay for formatting. Your editorial topic can be local or global.
There are a variety of topics that you could write about. See the suggestions list. Your thesis statement will be an answer to a question. For example, here’s a question: Should LGBTQA studies be taught in high schools? Here’s the response, a thesis statement: LGBTQA studies must be conducted in high schools not only to help students who are part of this community but to fight the ignorance some people have about how someone “becomes” LGBTQA. This is a policy claim.
Find at least three (3) secondary research sources that support your view, including statistics or quotes. Find one (1) source that opposes your idea. Logically rebut it in your argument. Submit your commentary on Brightspace on the required due date for instructor feedback and peer review.
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You may present your commentary to the rest of us if you desire. You would only need to read the essay, not develop slides for it.
STEPS
Find a topic that you care about.
Write a claim (thesis statement) about your topic. Determine what kind of claim you want to pursue, fact, value, cause/effect, or policy. The type of claim influences your research. Your affirmation might evolve as you develop your essay.
As you draft your essay, find at least three secondary sources that support your topic and one that doesn’t and that you can dispute. Your opposition viewpoint could be anecdotal.
This research should validate your ideas. Insert the researched material into your commentary with APA formatting. Include an APA References list at the end of your commentary.
Get instructor and peer feedback.
Revise, edit, proofread, and submit your
polished commentary on Brightspace on the due date. ENG 101 LC3 SP 2022 Annotated References Guidelines To prepare for this Assignment:
 This is the time to refine your list of references along with your Commentary First Draft. Remember that you can use a variety of credible sources, including HWC databases and online sources such as newspapers and magazines, interviews, television broadcasts, and TEDTalks.
Assignment Prompt:
In at least one page, complete the following, submit it to Brightspace, and include it with your Commentary First and Final Drafts:
 Create an Annotated References page in APA style. Each annotation (appearing below the entry) should be approximately one paragraph that includes an overall summary of the source, a discussion of how it is useful in your essay, and an explanation of why it is credible. (Please follow the example below.) You are allowed to add or subtract references for your Commentary Research Essay Final Draft.
Assignment Requirements:
For this assignment, you should:
 Compose a References page formatted in APA style. This page must include at least three (3) sources.
 Include a complete annotation for each source.
 Submit this list with the Commentary FIRST DRAFT on Wednesday,
May 4, and the FINAL Draft on Wednesday, May 11. It is worth 40 separate points.
Sample Annotated Reference in APA format
Beshears, L. (2010). Honorable style in dishonorable times: American gangstersofthe 1920sand1930s.JournalofAmericanCulture, 33(3), 197-206.
This article describes the clothing worn by American gangsters during the Prohibition era as a reflection of their successes and
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struggles as businessmen. While the intent behind the flashy pinstriped suits, ties, and fedoras was to blend in and be accepted by legitimate businessmen, the actual result was the birth of a flamboyant style that made them stand out as criminals who threatened the concept of the American dream. The author describes the political and cultural flavor of the era and how organized crime capitalized off it using vivid images of clothing, gestures, and even language of the times. Her fashion angle brought a unique perspective to my research because it discussed the idea that gangsters sought to legitimize their existence in America through fashion – an idea that isn’t discussed in my other sources. The author, Laura Beshears, is a professor of history at Skidmore College and has written several articles on the topic of organized crime during the Prohibition era. She lists several references as well.
*From the Harrison College Library website:
http://harrison.libguides.com/content.php?pid=220764&sid=2078197
Here is a reminder of Assignment Formatting:
 Use the appropriate heading as explained in the handout on how to submit essay assignments.
Bill Jones
ENG 101 LC3 Diane Williams
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May 11, 2022
 You do not need a title page or Running head for this shorter assignment.
 Give your assignment an appropriate and interesting title.
 Type in a Word document with 1-inch margins on all sides.
 Double-space your assignment.
 Use a standard font (Times Roman or Arial, for example) in 12-point
size throughout the essay, including the title.
 Do not italicize, place in quotes, or underline your original title.
 Include only one space after periods or other punctuation marks.
 Indent your paragraphs consistently, with the first line being indented
from the left margin (using the Tab key).
 Save your assignment as a “.doc,” “.pdf,” or “.rtf” file.
Assignment Grading:
This assignment will be graded using a rubric.
Assignment Due Date:
Due Date: Wednesday, May 4, 11:59 PM End Date: Wednesday, May 11, 11:59 PM
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