English 101: Portfolio #1:  Assignments and Guidelines

Directions:  Please read the information on this sheet carefully.

Topic and Background information: 

What Makes a Changemaker?  Based on your summaries of our course readings, class discussions, and your additional research, choose a living person who you can argue is making a significant and positive impact on the world.

In addition to finding out about who they are, what problem(s) they addressed, and what innovative ideas they have brought to bear on the problems they are addressing, make a list of your own specific research question or questions.

Note: You may choose a 20th Century changemaker who is no longer living; however, you must come and talk to me first.

Assignment:  Based on careful analysis of all your source materials including your own knowledge, course readings, and class discussions and make a compelling case regarding the ways that your changemaker meets Bornstein's criteria for a social entrepreneur i.e., a world changer (Individual passion, ideas, innovative social organization, and impact or results). 

You must use at least three different sources of information.

You will be evaluated on how thoroughly you evaluate and present evidence in support of your thesis.  Your paper should be 1,200 words, which does not include your references pages(s). Your final paper must use APA or MLA format and conventions. (See Everyday Writer for sample papers in APA and MLA, as well as guidelines for source citations. All papers must be typed and double spaced. Please use a Times New Roman 12pt. font.

Suggestions for getting started:  Review the material you have read, your summaries, and personal reflections; then consult the attached list of sources, and those gathered from our in class research to locate more information on your specific area of interest. 

Reading materials/Sources: 
In addition to our textbook, and the llinks and material found at our course webpage @   http://mason.gmu.edu/~progers2/ChangingtheWorld.html please refer to the Ashoka webpage we reviewed in class http://ashoka.org/fellows for examples of 21st century change leaders: their ideas, personal qualities, social organizations, and impact.

Timeline

• Rough Draft Due in Class on September 5th
• Summary of Chapters 3, and 4 due September 7th.
• Summary of Chapter 7 due on September 12th with Final Draft.
• Final Draft Due in Class on September 12th

 Evaluation Criteria: 

1. A title that reflects your thesis or proposition.
2. An introductory paragraph (or series of paragraphs) that previews your entire paper.
3. A clearly stated thesis, that is you major claim set forth in your introductory section.
4. Logically ordered paragraphs developed with specific, convincing claims that are linked to compelling and properly cited evidence.
5. Clear distinctions between your ideas and those of the authors you cite.
6. A concluding paragraph (or series of paragraphs) summarizing your main points, the significance of your paper, and describing areas for further inquiry.
7. Properly cited works cited page in APA or MLA format.  (See Everyday Writer 415-43 for APA style and pages 371-419 for MLA style)
8. Adherence to formal conventions of grammar, diction, spelling, mechanics, and usage.

A superior paper will:

1. Show clarity, depth, and complexity of thought
2. Explain or illustrate key ideas with a good deal of elaboration and specificity
3. Show syntactic variety and demonstrate a sophisticated command of language appropriate to your audience—in this case your fellow classmates and your instructor
4. be generally free from errors in mechanics, usage, and sentence structure
5. Address urgent and non-trivial aspects of the topic

Grading: Your entire Changemaker Portfolio will be worth 100 points.

Rough Draft: 25 points

Summaries of Chapters 3, 4, and 7 in Bornstein: 25 points

Final Draft: 40 points

Final Reflection Email: 10 points