Part 3: The Patterns of Development

Vanguard Assignment
October 1-October 15

Essay due on Canvas: Thursday, October 15 by 11:59 p.m.

In-class peer review: Tuesday, October 10
Essay grade: 50 points possible
Document design: 12 point font (Times New Roman or Calibri); 1” margins
Length: 700 words
Chapter from Choices: Chapter 4: The Patterns of Development
Associated tasks (30 points possible): Writing Activities (1-5); Group Activities (1-5)

Please note: The following description will be discussed in detail in class. It is essential that you come to
class to understand the assignment completely. Be sure to ask questions as you have them.

Writing Goals for Part 3 (from Choices pg. 71):

 Learn about the patterns of development: description, narration, examples, process explanation,
classification, definition, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and argument.
 Practice using each of these patterns of development.

Writing Assignment (adapted from Choices pg. 71):

Write an essay in which you take a position on a topic of importance to you. You will select this topic
based on an article published in SVSU’s student newspaper, The Valley Vanguard, which is published
every Monday. You will be required to read the Vanguard and bring a copy to class with you during each
meeting of Part 3. We will explore this newspaper together to locate and understand different patterns
of development in action. This article you choose should be a topic that many people are talking about,
on which people have differing opinions, and on which you would like to present your views. Use the
steps of the writing process that you learned in Chapter 1 (exploring your choices, drafting, revising,
editing, and sharing) when composing your essay. Support your points by using some of the patterns of
development described in Chapter 4 of Choices.

The associated tasks will help you practice description, practice narration, find examples, and practice
argument.

Grading: I will use the English 080 rubric (on Canvas and attached to your syllabus) to assess your work. I
will specifically be looking for mastery of the “writing goals” listed above. We’ll review in class how to
access and address my feedback on your work. Moving forward, you will be expected to read my
comments and address these in your subsequent papers.