ENG 123 Module One Journal Guidelines and Rubric
1-6 From Problem to Persuasion
Overview: The journal activity in this course is private between you and the instructor. This week, you spent some time reflecting on persuasion in your everyday
life, and you shared some potential topic ideas with your peers and instructor. But why is persuasion so important? Let’s think about that a little bit in this
journal entry.
Reviewing your brainstorming activity, select two potential problems that a) have two logical sides to the issue (your viewpoint and an opposing viewpoint); b)
are researchable; and c) are related to your career or degree.
In your journal, write a fully developed paragraph for each problem (5–8 sentences each) explaining the two sides to the issue (how is it argumentative?); how
you plan to approach the problem in your project (what side are you going to take?); and why you are personally interested in the problem (of all the potential
problems in your field or degree, why did you choose this?). When writing the paragraphs, feel free to express any other thoughts or concerns you may have
about the topic choices.
After exploring the argumentativeness of your problems, take a moment to consider the bigger picture. Then, in one to two paragraphs, briefly reflect on the
importance of persuasion with the potential topic you are most likely to write about. Why is it important that people consider your side with your selected
topic? Who is your audience, and why is it important to convince them that your view on your topic is the better (or more correct) view? Remember to try to be
specific in your entry; this information will help guide you as you work on your project in the coming weeks.
Critical Elements Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Potential
Problem #1
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides additional rich,
engaging details and reflections
on the potential problem
Identifies first potential problem
that has two clear sides to the
issue, is researchable, and is
related to student’s career or
degree
Identifies a potential problem,
but is missing information that
explains the two sides to the
issue, explains how it is
researchable, and/or explains
how it is related to student’s
intended career or degree
Does not clearly explain why the
potential problem was chosen
25
Potential
Problem #2
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides additional rich,
engaging details and reflections
on the second potential
problem
Identifies second potential
problem that has two clear sides
to the issue, is researchable, and
is related to student’s career or
degree
Identifies second potential
problem, but is missing
information that explains the
two sides to the issue, explains
how it is researchable, and/or
explains how it is related to
student’s intended career or
degree
Does not clearly explain why the
second potential problem was
chosen
25