3 social issue papers (1page each)

Social Issues Guidelines

You will be required to turn in social issues journals that will be evaluated based on their literacy, substance, and organization. This means that your work should follow the following guidelines of formal essay writing; i.e., that your paper should have the following:

An appropriate title.
A formal introduction presenting background material and a thesis statement that articulates the two sides of the issue that your paper will discuss.
A development of a few paragraphs presenting evidence and/or argument presenting both sides of the issue.
A conclusion which summarizes critical points in the development of your paper and justifies the author’s stand.
All evidence must be cited. Use in-text citations for quotes and paraphrased ideas. Include a works cited page at the end of your paper.

Social Issues Grading Rubric

Criteria	Above Standards (2)	Meets Standards (1)	Below Standards (0)
Introduction	Full paragraph which names the ethical issue to be discussed including outlining both sides of the controversy.	Paragraph which names the ethical issue but leaves the reader wondering what will be discussed.	Not a full paragraph; does not preview what will be discussed. Details missing.
Balanced argument	The author justifies their stand on the ethical issue via evidence. All of the evidence is specific, relevant, and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author’s position. Effort is made to present a balanced essay with points on both sides of the issue.	The author justifies their stand with relevant evidence with most being specific. Some explanation is given which ties the evidence to the assignment and supports the author’s position but essay is one-sided	Evidence is not relevant, and/or not explained, nor is it tied to the ethical issue being discussed.
Evidence and Citations	The evidence is appropriately cited from a minimum of 2 sources. One of which is a scholarly journal.	The evidence is appropriately cited but from only one source or none from a scholarly journal	Essay is purely based on author’s opinion and contains no citations.
Format	The entry is at least 3 paragraphs and more than 500 words.	The entry is divided into paragraphs with more than 250 words.	The entry is not divided into multiple paragraphs, is inadequate and brief.
Conclusion	The conclusion is a separate paragraph which wraps up the evidence and leaves the reader understanding the author’s position.	The conclusion is a separate paragraph which briefly states the author’s position but does not tie it back to the evidence for justification.	There is not a separate concluding paragraph. The entry just ends or it is just one unclear and unsupported sentence at the end of the entry.
Timely Submission	The entry was submitted by the due date.	The entry was submitted up to one week late.	The entry was submitted more than one week late.
Language/Mechanics	Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distracts the reader from the content.	Author makes 1-2 errors in grammar or spelling that distracts the reader from the content.	Author makes numerous errors in grammar or spelling that distracts the reader from the content.