CWA, 2001-2002, p.{ PAGE }
COMMON WRITING ASSIGNMENT
2001-2002
Your teacher has asked you to do some reading for your work in this class. For this
assignment, please write an essay (1.5—2 pages) about one of the reading selections,
introducing it and then commenting on it.
As you draft your essay, please follow these directions:
1. In your first paragraph, introduce the reading selection. Identify it by title and author,
and summarize its main points in no more than 4 sentences. Then indicate briefly
what interests you about the reading selection.
2. In the remaining paragraphs of the essay, present your own comments about the ideas
in the reading selection. Here are some issues that you might choose to address:
• Which points were especially effective and why? Explain.
• What is your opinion about the idea/s presented discussed in the article? Give
reasons to support your opinion.
• What points would you like to add about the article’s subject? Base your
points on what you know from your studies or experience.
• (Other question suggested by your teacher)
Whatever you decide to say, support your points by offering examples, additional
facts, arguments, or comparisons with related situations.
3. Check to make sure that your essay a) demonstrates that you understand the reading
selection and b) explores the connections between its main points and yours.
4. Prepare the paper following these directions:
• Type, double-spaced, using a font no smaller than 11 and no larger than 14.
• Do not type your name on the essay. Type your Banner number instead.*
• Use the spell-checker, and proofread before you save your final draft.
• Print two copies of the essay.
• Write your name at the top of one copy and give it to your teacher for grading.
• Fill out the form on the back of this page and staple it to the other (unsigned)
copy of the essay. Give it to your teacher, who will pass it on to the program
assessment committee. This second reading is not related to evaluation of
either you or your teacher. It is simply to help us to assess our program.
* Your Banner number will be used temporarily to help us identify your past writing activities at this
college, and then it will be removed permanently. All information that the assessment committee saves
will be totally anonymous.
