Features of a Good Cultural Discovery Essay Spring 2002
Section 004
The topic interests the audience
Readers understand the author's feelings
The description is vivid so readers feel they are in the essay
The author seems sincere--the topic is important to the author and
the events and people seem real
Readers understand how the author has changed because of the events
described
Little discoveries support the main discovery--the essay clearly focuses
on one main discovery
The introduction is interesting
The author used vivid sensory detail and described more than just what
can be seen with the eye
Dialogue provides variety in the essay
The essay is not linear and the time changes are clear to readers
The title is intriguing
Enough background information is included for the readers to understand
the discovery
Section 003
Readers understand the differences between the cultures in the essay
The description is vivid
The topic was important and suited the audience
Readers can imagine they were there in the events described in the
essay
The beginning and ending have the same idea
The sensory details are vivid
The language is rich--the word choices are great
Each paragraph has its own topic
The introduction is original
The author is sincere
The dialogue is realistic
Problems to Avoid in a Good Cultural Discovery Essay
Section 004
Not enough description
Not enough background information
Too much telling
The essay includes unnecessary information that distracts readers
The author didn't consider the readers' knowledge
The title doesn't make the audience eager to read the essay
Section 003
Readers wanted more background information
The essay needs more descriptive detail
Readers want more information about the consequences of the events
Too much unnecessary information was included
The author's feelings were not included
Too much telling
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