Anglo-Saxon Persuasive Writing Assignment: Character Analysis Assignment Sheet

Directions: After reading Beowulf, students will complete a persuasive writing assignment that works to persuade the audience to be in favor of the actions of a chosen character. The essay will analyze the development and motives of the chosen character in the epic in order to persuade the audience to support the character’s actions based on ideas and events over the course of the text.

Prompt for the Anglo-Saxon Persuasive Writing: Character Analysis Assignment:

• Beowulf is a hero who works hard to protect a community, but is Grendel acting out because he experienced oppression for so long without any love or human contact? Which character in Beowulf is to blame, and what events and ideas over the course of the text support the writer’s choice?

Proofreading Checklist: Look for the following errors when proofreading

• Spelling errors
• Comma, Semi-Colon, and Colon errors
• MLA format errors
• Fragment and Run-On errors
• Apostrophe errors

Remember the following requirements while polishing the final essay:

• MLA format
• Introduction
• Paragraph form
• Proper thesis statement
• Topic sentences that relate to the thesis statement
• On topic development and transitions
• Evidence that supports claims
• Integrated evidence
• Correct in-text citations
• Analysis of evidence that does not summarize
• Conclusion sentences for each body paragraph
• Conclusion paragraph that does not summarize
• Proper Works Cited page

Submit the completed assignment when finished.

Performance art performances You will perform five performance art performances during the semester. Each of these performances will happen in class. Each of these performances will have two required components: (1) your performance and (2) a write-up of your performance which needs to be submitted in class in hard form before you perform. Each performance art performance also needs to have a title and make a thoughtful point about communication and the class material at hand. For each of the performance art performances, perform for the class a rehearsed, original, in-person performance that is 30-60 seconds in length. For expediency, these performances should not have external audio, video, or projector needs. This performance is to be an original creation by you. Don’t recite something someone else said or wrote. This piece should also involve you in a performative manner. Don’t give a standard speech or presentation. For each of these assignments, a lack of performance will not be considered a performance. It is vital that we maintain our good sense for these performances. Do not violate campus regulations and policies or any laws. Do not harm property. Do not disrupt others outside of our class or classmates as they perform. Do not be hostile or menacing toward anyone. Do not put anyone in harm’s way. Be a good audience member. For each of the five write-ups, submit in class in hard form before you perform a write-up detailing your performance. Specifically, each write-up should provide: (1) the title of your performance and why you chose that title, (2) a description of what you’re doing and how you prepared to do it, (3) an explanation for why what you’re doing in class should be considered performance art, and (4) an explanation of the thoughtful point that your performance is making about communication and/or theory. Each write-up’s length is 500 words. An accurate word count must be placed at the top of the first page of your paper. Failure to have an accurate word count at the very top of the first page of your paper will result in a failing grade. Your paper needs to be typed and single-spaced. Your paper should use Times New Roman 12 pin font and standard margins. In MS Word, use either the Normal or the No Spacing style (upper right on Home tab) and then change your font to Times New Roman 12 pin/size (upper left on Home tab). Please do not space between paragraphs. Indent paragraphs. All you need at the top of your paper is your name and, as stated above, an accurate word count (found in the lower left in MS Word), and then you should begin your first paragraph. Each write-up should be written in academic prose and, likewise, be polished and precise as well as adequately developed and supported. Paragraphs should begin with a bold claim or thesis statement (i.e., a declarative sentence that encapsulates what the paragraph is about) that is then supported by the rest of the paragraph. When a new bold claim is made, a new paragraph should begin. Use the APA format to cite in-the-text-of-your-paper all outside source material, including the textbook and the supplemental readings. Include a proper works cited page. The works cited page should NOT be counted in the word count for your paper. Spell and grammar check (F7 in MS Word). If you are unable to make it to class on the day of a performance art performance, you can have someone else drop off your write-up about your performance art by noon that same day in the Communication Department (Morgan 206) for partial credit. Your write-up will receive up to 15 of the 20 points for your first drop off and up to 10 of the 20 points for your second drop off. No points will be given to a third and subsequent drop off. I do not accept course assignments via email. Late work is never accepted. Make-up work is never offered. Like the performance art performance, the write-up is to be an original work by you. Do not recycle work or writing from another class. Avoid plagiarism as well. Such behavior constitutes academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will be treated very seriously. See the section Academic dishonesty for further clarification as well as for guidance in avoiding plagiaris

The goal of public organizations is to provide public services. This is done through expenditures ranging from salary for law enforcement personal to maintenance of public parks. Governments provide a wide range of public goods and often there is more demand for services than revenue to pay for those services. Determining annual expenditures is one of the primary functions of any governing body and trade-off typically have to be made.

In this assignment, you will review the expenditure priorities of the city or county government in which you live. Next, you will make recommendation of how to reduce future year expenditures when faced with a revenue short-fall. Finally, you will offer strategies on how to increase funding for a need you have identified in your community.

Be sure to first review your readings from this week and prior weeks that will help support this assignment and then research additional resources to assist in your evaluation. For example, it is helpful to examine available data and other public documents for the city or county. These resources are useful and should be incorporated into your paper, but remember that those resources do not count as the needed three scholarly articles (peer-reviewed, academic articles and texts). Also be sure to incorporate the Mikesell text to support your analysis.

To complete:

Write a 6- to 8-page paper (not including title page and reference page) that addresses the following:

• Introduction: Describe your local city or county entity. This does not need to be extensive as you will likely be using the same entity as in the Week 5 and Week 7 assignments.
• Expenditure Drivers: Identify the 3 departments which get the most general fund resources. What inputs to the production process are the primary drivers of the budget? In other words, what expenditure categories are most important in the total spending by each of the departments? Assess if the expenditures support the stated mission of the government and the needs of the community. (2 pages).
• Recommendations for Reducing Expenditures: Consider how the city or county selected should adjust expenditures if faced with a revenue shortfall. If the government was faced with a 2% reduction in general fund resources in the next fiscal year, what would the dollar amount of the needed expenditure reductions be assuming there was no other offsetting revenue? Based on your review of the budget, what are 3 specific expenditure reductions you would recommend to close at least half of this shortfall? In your recommendation, describe what considerations you used in making these recommendations. They could include strategies from the Mikesell text or academic literature about how other governments prioritize expenditures. (2 – 2 ½ pages)
• Recommendations for Funding New Needs: Find a documented unmet need in your city or county that would be appropriate for the local government to address. This documentation can come from government documents or local news media. Justify why the city or county government should provide funding to address this need. As part of your analysis, provide the community benefits of funding such a need as well as specific recommendation on how the need should be funded. This can be through reduction in other expenditures, increases in revenue sources, or a combination of both. (2 pages)
• Conclusion: In your conclusion, assess the challenge of determining how to best allocate expenditures to serve the needs of the community given limited resources.

Use proper APA formatting and include the following:

• A title page and running head
• An introduction that states the purpose of the paper
• Level 1 headings to define each part (bullet) of the paper
• A conclusion to synthesize the entire paper
• The learning resources need to be cited
• A minimum of three additional scholarly sources to support your paper
• In-text citations as appropriate
• A reference list

References

Mikesell, J. L. (2014). Fiscal administration: Analysis and applications for the public sector (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

• Chapter 4, “State and Local Budgets” (pp. 152–173)
• Chapter 5, “Budget Methods and Practices” (pp. 178-218)

Friedman, M. (n.d.). The inflation calculator. Retrieved from http://www.westegg.com/inflation

NO PLAGARISM. ASSIGNMENTS ARE TURNED INTO TURN-IT-IN