Essay Content
Topic Selection
- Avoid using the CDC as the subject of the evaluation
- Avoid using an online article, as it is not a website
- The following is a suggested list of website options (only choose one):
- CHADD
- NIMH
- ADDA
- APA
- Mayo Clinic
Introduction
- Begins with an effective hook
- Overview of topic/website
- Provides an introduction of the website
- Communicates the importance of a review and the concept of credibility
- Remains focused on website and criteria rather than ADHD
- Includes a smooth transition to thesis statement
- Thesis statement
- Makes an evaluative claim regarding the website’s credibility
- Focuses on and presents three of the five evaluation criteria (accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, coverage)
Body Paragraphs
Content and Ideas
Each body paragraph . . .
· addresses, defines, and develops each of the chosen criterion
- provides evidence from the website to demonstrate how it fulfills each criterion, thereby establishing credibility
- contains research-based, cited information from scholarly sources
- contains at least one example from the website for each criterion
- includes sources reflective of an investigation of criteria, not ADHD
- includes correctly cited direct quotes and paraphrasing
- utilizes resources reflective of the criteria and website evaluation rather than ADHD
Organization
- Present the criteria in the same order as they appear in the thesis statement
- Construct one body paragraph for each criterion (3 criteria/3 body paragraphs)
- Construct strong topic sentences, which include a transitional word/phrase, make reference to the main claim of credibility in the thesis, and present the specific criterion addressed in the paragraph
Conclusion
- The first sentence restates the thesis statement, conveying the main idea in the thesis with fresh wording
- The conclusion effectively summarizes the content of the essay
- The conclusion effectively brings closure to each of the main points
- No new information is presented in the conclusion
- The essay ends with an impactful statement regarding the credibility of the website and its usefulness for research
Format
- The essay meets word count (750-1,000)
- The essay aligns with the APA 7th Edition Format
- The title page is spaced and formatted according to APA 7th Edition standards
- The essay does not include an abstract and/or a subheading above each paragraph
- A boldfaced title appears above the first paragraph
- The in-text citations are correctly formatted
- The references page is correctly formatted and placed on a separate page
- There is consistency and coordination between the in-text citations and the references page
- Times New Roman font (size 12) is consistently used throughout the essay
- Double spacing, 1” margins, 0.5” paragraph indentations, and left alignment are consistently used
Language/Style
- The writer uses a variety of sentence structures
- The writer establishes and maintains a formal, academic tone
- The essay is written in third person (avoid first and second person pronouns)
- The essay is void of slang, jargon, contractions, and wordiness
- The essay avoids narration or giving instructions to the reader
Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
- Tools such as Word Grammar Check, LopesWrite, and/or Grammarly.com have been employed to identify errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and mechanics
- The essay is free of errors in
- Sentence structure
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Capitalization
- The use of acronyms
- Agreement
- Use of articles
