As a whole, ENG 1A did a very nice job of engaging with Herschend’s article “Rap Takes A Bum Rap,” both in analysis thereof and in responding to the article’s main Theses (plural of Thesis). The next step will be to REVISE this Essay. It is important to look at, understand, and respond to ALL comments/annotations made on the original draft—Revisions that do not address ALL comments will receive a lower grade. The comments made are the most effective One-on-one Writing Coaching that is available in this online (or really any) format; it is an opportunity to work very closely with the elements that could use more attention/improving. REVISIONS THAT FAIL TO ADDRESS ALL INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS WILL RECIEVE A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER GRADE.
- Discuss Herschend’s article 2. Respond with specific cited evidence. The Essay should be balanced between these two tasks and definitely handle BOTH tasks. Thesis statements should also clearly address both aspects. -VERY IMPORTANT—It is crucial to read over assignment instructions VERY CAREFULLY (and preferably multiple times). Too often developing undergrad writers just skim over the assignment instructions (Prompt) and write whatever they choose, with the result of wandering off topic. A good essay is not just well-written, it MUST fulfill the assigned objectives. [Allegory: If I order a pepperoni pizza at a restaurant, and they serve me the best birthday cake ever, …it is still a failed attempt to fulfil the task at hand—I still need dinner.]
-The previous point is very relevant, in some cases, to the required OUTLINE, as specifically outlined in the assignment instructions, discussed in detail and modelled via the Outline Template. Submissions without Outline were incomplete. Outlines must ALSO BE REVISED in the Essay revision process/assignment.
-In many cases, students’ responses provided sources that agreed with Herschend, which is fine; HOWEVER, this does NOT provide specific, cited supporting EVIDENCE to prove one’s point—that required some sort of EXAMPLE. To quote an expert saying that rappers rap about reality is not providing Evidence of that opinion, whereas an interview/quote from a rapper stating that they were writing about the world they grew up in, for example, supports both the expert and Herschend.
-In revising this Essay, you should work with what you have, NOT totally reconstruct. If you think it is effective to swap out an example or source, that’s fine—but the idea is to IMPROVE what you already have worked on, NOT start all over again with another try.
-WCT means Wordcount—please see Announcement regarding wordcounts, if you are unsure of the requirements. Wordcount must be INDICATED on the Essay (preferably at the beginning of the Essay) and adhered to for the Revision (points will be deducted, otherwise).