For our second essay this semester, you will write a personal research essay of about 2 typed pages  (about 500 words).  The length should indicate the scope of the assignment to you; you should not write less or more, in order to best meet the assignment criteria.

Since this could be a personal essay, you may use first person, “I” or the plural form, “we,” meaning “we, the online students”.  If you prefer not to write about personal experiences, you may use third person.  However, you must not use second person narration.  That means, — don’t use “you.”

Your grading criteria will be the Five Criteria of Effective Writing.  Check the Essay Grading Rubric in the Student Guide for specifics.  Since this is a research-based essay, you will also be graded for on format issues.  A Works Cited page is not required for this essay.  You must cite at least 1 of the 3 sources  (I would recommend 2!) to support your own ideas.  This added research should be no more than 25% of your paper.  The rest should be your own ideas, examples, arguments.  Take a look at the Student Model that is posted in Student Writing Samples.  Your own personal examples from your own experience as an online student make this paper strong!

Topic for Essay Two:

Your topic is “Tips for Online Students.”  The content of the essay will come from the three articles provided to you and from your own personal experience.  You are not allowed to use any other sources for this essay. A goal of research writing is to synthesize the research into your own unique approach; you should therefore spend some time thinking of a creative and original way to modify the topic.