However, you get a negative point if you fail to highlight your thesis, topic sentences and takeaway sentence.

Instructions:
1) submit your paper as a pdf–canvas has been having trouble reading other formats
If you are working alone you should put your name on the submitted exam. Please also name your file as follows: first_last_econhist_midterm
If you write as a group, only one group member needs to submit the assignment on behalf of the group. Please make sure that your entire group concurs on the essay before you submit! Please also name your file as follows: group_X_econhist_midterm where X is your group number.
2) Write in paragraphs with an introductory and concluding paragraph plus 3 or 4 body paragraphs. The intro should have a hook, thesis and supporting sub-arguments which outline the argument of the essay. A thesis is one sentence that encapsulates basic argument of the essay. All the body paragraphs should have topic sentences at their beginning that proclaim the basic argument of that paragraph and should support the main thesis of the essay. These topic sentences should relate closely to the sub-argument sentences in your intro paragraph.
The concluding paragraph should have a take-away sentence that captures the meaning or implication of your essay. The concluding paragraph summarizes your essay following the basic rule of tell the reader what your are going to say, say it and then tell the reader what you said. You concluding paragraph should also have a “so what” sentence which tells the reader the punchline or take-away or meaning of your essay. This punchline sentence can then be the basis for a “hook” sentence at the beginning of your introductory paragraph that draws the reader into your essay.
3) highlight your “hook”, thesis, topic sentences and take-away sentence
You get positive points adding up to a potential of 12 points for the various criteria in the rubric. However, you get a negative point if you fail to highlight your thesis, topic sentences and takeaway sentence. But in pasting that rubric into the comments in Canvas some have interpreted the “(-1 point)” as taking a point away. That “(-1 point)” is just like all the other “(# points)” for the other criteria showing the potential outcome–not the graded outcome. If you got a zero for the highlighting rubric that means no points were deducted for failing to highlight.
4) you are limited to a maximum of1000 words not counting your name(s) and any citations you may provide
5) citations may be informal. outside information is fine. but you need to demonstrate a familiarity with material assigned in the course that is relevant to the question.
6) Avoid plagiarism. If you rely on material from outside the course, be sure to cite your source(s). If you have any concerns about this, here is a page describing the issue of plagiarism. They key point is that plagiarism is easy to catch even if you are paraphrasing. So avoid this pitfall.
7) points for this essay will be weighted as follows:
points by category
Clear relevant insightful thesis (2 points)
Familiarity with course material (5 points)
Intro, conclusion, paragraphs topic sentences (3 points)
Essay shows critical understanding (2 points)
Failure to highlight thesis, topic sentences and takeaway (-1 point)
total essay score positive points minus negative points for no highlighting