PARTICPANTS and PROCESS

1
Critical Thinking Essay Contest University-wide
Participation
PARTICPANTS and PROCESS
THE PROCESS Posted on the MWSU Homepage

• 60 Students
• Representing 14 departments
• Essays evaluated by three outside evaluators
• Pilot evaluation project achieved inter-rater
• reliability of r .80

• Western Scholars
• Critical Thinking in Action
• Welcome to the essay competition designed to
  provide you with an
• opportunity to display your critical thinking
  abilities. The faculty and staff
• of Missouri Western are pleased to provide you
  with this showcase of
• student aptitudes.
• Open to all currently enrolled MWSU
  students!How do I enter the contest?
• The process is simple
• 1. Read the three topic area prompts. Article I
  Article II Article III
• 2. Select one topic area for response.
• 3. Follow the guidelines for writing the essay.
• 4. Check out the evaluation form that reviewers
  will use.
• Electronically submit the essay by noon, Monday,
  April 7th.
• Whats my reward?
• Students who receive the top awards for the
  essays, will receive a 250
• credit at the University Bookstore this could
  cover about two textbooks
• for your next term! Up to 20 student essays will
  be selected for these

CRITICAL WRITING EVALUATION RUBRIC
Presentation Clearly states the position of
the writer, the thesis Clearly presents the
problem/issue Presents and uses evidence to
defend 5 4 3 2 1
0 Highly Competent
Somewhat Somewhat
Incompetent Lacks Competent
Competent
Incompetent
Competency Development Presents a
logical, cohesive and coherent organization
Provides sufficient detail to develop an
argument Avoids extraneous elements 5 4
3 2 1 0
Highly Competent
Somewhat Somewhat Incompetent
Lacks Competent
Competent Incompetent
Competency
Persuasiveness Analyzes the evidence, not
simply presents Considers counterarguments
and/or addresses weaknesses of writers point
of view 5 4 3 2
1 0 Highly
Competent Somewhat Somewhat
Incompetent Lacks Competent
Competent
Incompetent
Competency Mechanics Grammar, spelling,
Vocabulary, paragraph development 5 4
3 2 1 0
Highly Competent Somewhat
Somewhat Incompetent Lacks
Competent
Competent Incompetent
Competency Interest
Maintains readers interest, engages the reader
Leaves the reader thinking, uses creative and
engaging examples or descriptions 5 4
3 2 1 0
Highly Competent Somewhat
Somewhat Incompetent Lacks
Competent
Competent Incompetent
Competency Depth Explores
complexities of the issue Discusses
implications/consequences of the
reasoning 5 4 3 2 1
0 Highly Competent
Somewhat Somewhat
Incompetent Lacks Competent
Competent
Incompetent
Competency COMMENTS

• Griffon bullet points
• You can copy/paste this box

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING/SUBMITTING THE ESSAY
We have provided you with a prompt on three
different topic areas. Each of these present an
opinion on a subject. A. Select one topic
area and write an essay that answers the
following Define the issue. What are the
potentially conflicting ideas? What is your
stance on the issue? This is your thesis. What
are the key questions you need to consider on
this issue? What is the most important
information you should use to support your
position? What is at least one reasonable
objection to your position? How do you respond to
that objection (crediting any point in it that is
worthy of concession)? What are the
implications/consequences of accepting/not
accepting your position? B. Know the
requirements. All essays must be submitted
electronically from a Word file. Essays are
between 500 and 750 words. A word count is
required on the submission form. Essays must be
submitted by Monday, April 7, noon.
Diane Atkinson Gorcyca, Director, COL 101 COL
151