Seeking a diligent, research-minded writer to explore the intricate world of asthma for an investigative essay. Particular focus will be on causes and risk factors, treatment options, triggers and the impact asthma has on quality of life.
Ideal freelancer should have:
- Medical writing experience
- A strong understanding of the medical field
- Experience with investigative journalism or deep-dive research
- Strong command of English language with impeccable grammar
Your task will include but not limited to:
- Thorough research on asthma, including latest scientific studies
- Detailed analysis of causes and risk factors for asthma
- Comprehensive evaluation of current treatment options
- Analysis of the effect on quality of life
- Understanding the triggers and activators for asthma
Extra consideration will be given to candidates with qualifications in a related medical field or journalism.
Assignment Explanation: Choose a subject to investigate: one aspect of a current social or political policy, a scientific discovery or principle, or perhaps just an ordinary event or process that you find interesting. Avoid topics that are overdone, cliché, and non-specific in terms of “research” papers (i.e. abortion, legalizing marijuana, lowering the drinking age, texting and driving, gun control, global warming, etc.). Choose a topic that has relevance to you. This relevance should be communicated in the essay. (For instance, if you have diabetes, you might investigate advances in treatment options that have taken place since your diagnosis, citing those that you have tried and their outcomes, those you haven’t tried and your reasons, etc. along with professional explanations and commentary from source material. Your essay should not be a generic exploration of diabetes with no specific investigative focus.) Your initial purpose should be to add to your own knowledge and learn or discover more about your subject.
Then, with a specific audience in mind, report your findings. Remember, a report presents the information that you find; it should not argue for or against any idea or plan. Your final essay should be 3-5 pages of text with an additional Works Cited page.
You are required to use 3-5 outside sources for this essay. At least one source must come from a MAC library database. The Bible may not be used as a source. You may use websites, but beware! Websites that are not reputable may lead to an automatic F. You can always send me a link to a website that you’re interested in using and I’ll provide feedback on whether it’s a good source to use. Accurately quote, paraphrase, summarize, and document information from source material. Failure to follow these guidelines could lead to a failing grade and/or the filing of an Academic Integrity Report.
General Guidelines:
· The MAC Academic Resource Center tutors can assist you at any point in the writing process. Schedule a face-to-face or virtual appointment through the links in MyMAC, or call to schedule an appointment: 573-518-2140.
· Follow MLA manuscript format; see Rules for Writers Chapter 58. Use Times New Roman 12-point font.
· Avoid plagiarizing by carefully paraphrasing and/or directly quoting key passages from sources; failure to do so will result in plagiarism, a serious violation of the Academic Integrity Policy. (See course syllabus.)
· Essays that do not follow proper MLA citation style (complete with in-text citations and a Works Cited) will receive an F.
· This essay should be your own original work created specifically for this assignment in this class.
Essays will be evaluated on the following:
· Introduction is engaging and research questions are specific and adequate
· Thesis is clear
· The author’s relevance to the topic is clear
· The essay is well-organized
· The essay is free of proofreading errors
· Citation (in the essay and in the WC page) are correct
· All body paragraphs have a clear topic sentence, details to support the topic sentence, are well-developed, and have well-integrated information from source material
Investigating Essay
Revision Check Point
· First Paragraph Introduction
o Describe context (i.e. interesting details) have you provided for the topic. _________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
o Describe how you have shown your personal connection to the topic. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
o Leading Question
§ Is it the last sentence of the introduction? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
· Body Paragraph #1
o Does this paragraph have a solid topic sentence? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Do the details in this paragraph provide relevant background information for the topic? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Is source materials quoted/paraphrased and cited (with signal phrases and in-text citations)? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Does this paragraph have a solid concluding sentence that relates to the topic sentence and details and transitions to the next paragraph? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
· Body Paragraphs
o Examine each body paragraph individually with the following series of questions.
§ Does this paragraph have a solid topic sentence? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Do the details in this paragraph directly relate to the topic sentence and leading question? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Is source materials quoted/paraphrased and cited (with signal phrases and in-text citations)? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Does the paragraph contain a mixture of information from sources and your own personal knowledge/experience/connection? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Does this paragraph have a solid concluding sentence that relates to the topic sentence and details and transitions to the next paragraph? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
· Conclusion
o Does this paragraph provide final commentary about the topic without presenting new information? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Does this paragraph include a thesis statement that provides an answer to the leading question? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
· Works Cited
o Is it on its own page? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Is the title centered on the first line: Works Cited? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
o Does it follow MLA 8 (i.e. our Rules for Writers book) citation guidelines? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Is it in size 12 Times New Roman font, double spaced with a hanging indent? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
§ Are entries alphabetized? ___ Yes ___ No (If no, fix it.)
· Editing
o Look for the most common errors: run-on sentences, sentence fragments, shifting into second person (i.e. “you”), and verb tense shifts. (Get a friend’s perspective.) Fix them.
What are the main activities and activators that cause asthma problems and asthma attacks to many people like me and how can it be minimized.
I have chosen this topic because I personally struggle with asthma, and I have started to overcome it in little steps at a time. I definitely have a long way to go but from where I'm at now compared to 6 years ago is night and day. I can include that asthma is a genetic disease, but it can be controlled with different exercises and how it can be traumatic.
I hope to discover the main triggers and activators of asthma and asthma attacks to people. I want to figure out the science behind