Midterm Writing Assignment

Elements of Language Arts – Midterm

Due April 24^th, 2013

In order to explore the significance that reading, writing, speaking, and listening will hold in your life outside of school, you will complete a brief research project on a career of your choice. Additionally, this assignment will allow you to demonstrate your growing competence in the fields of writing and communication.

Assignment: Your task is to identify the styles and uses of literacy in a career field of your choice. (Keep in mind: literacy refers to reading, writing, speaking, and listening.) You should ask yourself the following questions while investigating:

· What sort of texts does one encounter in this career?

· What sort of language is used by the people in this occupation?
· What specific literary strengths must one have to be successful in this field?
· What educational background do people of this occupation have? What standards of literacy does it require?
· What is the practical application of literacy in this job field?

In order to answer these questions (and others that you may have), you will have to do independent research. You may use any reliable resource, including books, the Internet, and people directly involved with the career field. However, all your research must be documented. Any information that you gather from any source outside of your own knowledge needs to be properly cited. The citations should be in MLA format: consult Shane or Purdue OWL (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/) for information on proper citations.

Your paper should be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. It should be no fewer than two pages.

Tips for success on this project:

·      Start early. The more time you allow yourself, the better your research and writing will be.

·      Ask questions. I’m here to support you throughout this project—you are absolutely welcome to ask for help, to bounce ideas off me, or to just chat.

·      Choose a career that really matters to you; not only will it make this project more relevant, but it will make your writing more meaningful and lively.