COMM 1000 / Weeks 9-13: Critical Thinking Assignment (15%)

Student Name: Chenxi(Cassie) Feng

Due Date and Submission:

 Submit your Critical Reading Assignment by the end of Week 13 (Fri. Dec. 1).
 NOTE: Submission will include this document, filled out. It will also include a WORD
document with your composed argument, formatted using APA.
 Your submission must adhere to the rules of Academic Integrity.
 All assignments must be submitted via email: aweiss@[Link]

Purpose: Students write a coherent argument in support or in dispute with an assigned

reading.

Instructions:
 Week 9: This week we discuss Argument Writing. Choose ONE of the articles listed
below to respond to. Read the article using the Active Reading Strategies discussed in
Weeks 4 and 5 and determine your position: Do you agree or disagree with the author’s
position? If you agree, determine your own reasons why. If you disagree, determine
two reasons why.

 Week 10: Based on what you learn in this lesson, look for a secondary source to help
you support your reasons. Answer the questions provided in this document about that
source.

 Week 11: This week, we discuss how to integrate evidence into an argument. Apply
what you learn in this lesson to your own source use.

 In Weeks 9, 10 and 11, develop your response in the Critical Thinking Assignment
Outline provided in this document. Use this space to organize your ideas in point form.
Once this is complete, use it to compose your argument in a separate WORD document.
Your argument must be organized as a series of paragraphs (double-spaced):
Introduction, Body Paragraph 1, Body Paragraph 2, and Conclusion. Aim for 500-600
words.

 Week 12: In Class A of this week, everyone will show me their work for my review.
  Week 13: This week, we discuss how to revise and edit. Use the Checklist provided in
this document to ensure your assignment is ready to submit.

 NOTE: Apply the rules of APA Style in terms of formatting and citing (in-text citations
and Reference page). We covered these rules in Week 2, Class A.

Articles:
 Article 1: “Online outrage can benefit brands that take stances on social issues,” by S.
Kermani, P. Darke, and T. Noseworthy, published on August 15, 2023, in The
Conversation: [Link]
take-stances-on-social-issues-208091

 Article 2: “Should you be friends with your co-workers? Here’s what the research says,”
by S. Friedman, published on July 17, 2023, in The Conversation:
[Link]
the-research-says-209212
PART I: Critical Thinking Assignment Outline (Weeks 9-12)

Introduction

Start the introduction with a hook (question, quotation, or interesting fact):

Have you ever thought about how colleagues might play a role in our career journey?

Introduce the topic by providing a little background information on this issue (ie. What is
happening in the real world on this issue? What has happened historically? What experience
have you had or what story can you tell about this issue?)
In the realm of workplace, the significance of forging connections has evolved over time.
Historically, jobs were often seen as pure transactions. However, in today's fast-paced and
interconnected world, the narrative has shifted. The conventional idea of clocking in and out
has given way to a more holistic view, where friendships at work are not just about shared
tasks but play a vital role in career fulfillment.

Summarize and paraphrase the section of the article you are choosing to respond to. Be sure
to include reporting verbs and proper in-text citation (use what you learned in Week 7 to do
this):
According to Friedman (2023), "Friendships at work provide enhanced innovation, feelings of
psychological safety, and compassion" (p.11). In essence, fostering friendships in the
workplace is not just beneficial—it is essential. There are two main benefits of making friends
with colleagues.

State your thesis/ main message of your response (choose two points to base your argument
on):
Friends contribute to the well-being of the workplace. Friends can collaborate with you to
tackle challenges.

Body 1 (Point 1 from your thesis)

State your first point of discussion in a topic sentence:

Friends contribute to the well-being of the workplace.
Provide logical reasoning to back up Point 1. You might refer to your own logic or research you
have uncovered (be sure to cite):
Positive relationships at work contribute to increased job satisfaction, reduced stress, and
enhanced overall mental well-being. Research suggests that friend-based and work-based
social support is associated with increased well-being.

Provide an appropriate example to back up Point 1 if relevant:

Extensive research highlights the profound impact that support from friends and colleagues
has on personal well-being. For example, people who have more support from friends report
fewer depressive symptoms, a benefit that appears to operate partly through an enhanced
sense of belonging (Laible, Carlo, and Raffaelli, 2000; McNeely and Falci, 2004). This positive
outcome is thought to be closely related to a sense of belonging in the workplace.
Furthermore, the influence of the social support related to work has an impact on physical
well-being and responses to stress, as highlighted in McGene's (2013) research. The
collaborative support from friends and colleagues serves as a protective factor, influencing
both physiological and psychological responses to stress in the workplace.

Provide a conclusive sentence that ties your point, reasoning, and example back to your
thesis/ main message:
In summary, fostering meaningful workplace connections has a positive influence, leading to
higher job satisfaction, lower stress, and a more positive work environment.

Body 2 (Point 2 from your thesis)

State your next point of discussion or Point 2:

Friends can collaborate with you to tackle challenges.

Provide logical reasoning to back up Point 2 (You might, again, refer to your own logic and/or
research you’ve uncovered):
People face difficulties in life, and having friends to help can make a big difference.
Collaboration among friends introduces diversity of ideas, fosters a richness of thought, and
can simplify the process of finding solutions. The blending of different skills and ways of
thinking not only improves problem-solving efficiency but also creates a creative
environment. When friends bring together their unique strengths, the collective wisdom
transcends individual abilities, making the collaborative effort greater than the sum of its
parts. Additionally, emotional support from friends boosts our ability to handle tough
 situations.

Provide an appropriate example to back up Point 2 if relevant:

Imagine a school project with tough requirements and a short deadline. Friends can share
their skills and knowledge, making the project more manageable. Their encouragement and
understanding can also reduce stress.

Provide a conclusive sentence that ties your point, reasoning, and example back to your
thesis/ main message:
Having friends collaborate with you during challenges not only provides practical help but also
creates a positive and effective environment for solving problems.

Conclusion

Restate your thesis/ main message and supporting points:

To sum up, having friends at work boosts our well-being and helps us tackle challenges
together. It brings joy to our jobs, reduces stress, and makes us more effective problem
solvers.

Leave the person with an “unforgettable statement”: a question, quotation, suggestion,

solution, prediction, or call to action. Or, consider telling the reader what significance the
topic or issue has for them:
So, as you navigate your career, remember the power of workplace friendships. How will you
make connections at work, and how might these connections make your workplace a better,
happier space ? It's not just about the work you do; it's also about the people you do it with.
Not only will these rich connections enhance your career, but they will also contribute
significantly to the collective sense of fulfillment for everyone in the workplace.

PART II: Critical Thinking Assignment Secondary Source (Week 10)

Secondary Source
Identify the following bibliographic details about the source:
What is the title?: Social Support from Friends, Co-Workers, and Unit Members and Its Link to
Well-Being
What type of source is it (book, newspaper article, etc.)?: book
Who is the author?: McGene, Juliana
Where was it published?: RAND Corporation
When was it published?: 2013
Does it have a URL?: [Link]
direct=true&db=e000xna&AN=662631&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Why did you choose this source to use as evidence?:

I chose this source for a two reasons. Firstly, the content of the source directly relates to my
research question. Secondly, the publication date is 2013, making the information recent and
relevant. This ensures that the evidence I'm using is up-to-date.

What quote do you intend to use to help you support your argument? Use quotation marks
and provide the necessary in-text citation:
“People who receive strong support from co-workers tend to exhibit fewer depressive
symptoms” (McGene, 2013).
PART III: Critical Thinking Assignment Editing and Revising Checklist (Week 13)

Organization, Content, Unity, Style, Grammar, APA

Organization:
1. Check for introduction: ✘

2. Check for thesis with controlling idea and 2 points: ✘

3. Check for 2 paragraphs: ✘

4. Check for conclusion that summarizes 2 points: ✘

5. Check for an unforgettable statement: ✘

Content:

1. Check for evidence (direct quotes) for each body paragraph: ✘

2. Cut repetition or digressions from each body paragraph: ✘

Unity:

1. Check that each body paragraph supports the thesis: ✘

2. Check for topic sentences for each body paragraph: ✘

3. Check for supporting sentences for each body paragraph: ✘

Style:
1. Check for too many adverbs like “very” and “really” ✘

2. Check for use the word, thing ✘

3. Check for use any biased/sexist language ✘

4. Check for use of transitions ✘

Grammar:
1. Check for Parts of Speech. ✘

2. Check for Parallel Structure. ✘

 3. Check for Punctuation. ✘

4. Check for Fragments. ✘

5. Check your Run-Ons. ✘

6. Check your Spelling / Typos. ✘

Formatting:

1. Check your cover page. ✘

2. Check your running head. ✘

3. Check page numbers. ✘

4. Check title on page 2. ✘

5. Check double-spacing. ✘

6. Check all in-text citations for accuracy: ✘

7. Check all quotes for signal phrases: ✘

8. Check all quotes for quotation marks: ✘

9. Check Reference page for accuracy: ✘

How will my Critical Thinking Assignment be graded?:

Objective Did not Made some Made a good Demonstrate

attempt attempt attempt d mastery
Organization of Ideas:

1. Argument has a clear

introduction and thesis
statement that outlines the
student’s purpose. (5)

2. Argument has at least two (up

to three) effective body
paragraphs that are well-
organized: topic sentences,
supporting sentences, and
conclusive sentences. (20)

3. Argument has a conclusion

that summarizes and offers an
insightful prediction,
suggestion, recommendation,
or comment (“unforgettable
statement”). (5)

Critical Thinking Skills:

1. Argument provides clear

points and evidence (in the
form of research, i.e.,
appropriate secondary source
use) that demonstrate an
ability to make meaningful
observations about the topic.
(30)

Communication Skills (Style and

Grammar):

1. Style (transitions, absence of

wordiness, inclusive language,
etc.), grammar
 (coordination, capitalization,
punctuation, etc.), vocabulary,
and sentence structure are
correct so that the responses
are easy to follow and
understand. (10)

APA / Academic Integrity:

1. APA format is adhered to

(cover page, etc.) (5)
2. In-text citations are provided
and use proper format.
Source/quote is introduced
(signal phrase) fully by
identifying it and addressing
its value. Uses quotation
marks and integration
methods correctly. (10)
3. Reference page is properly
formatted following
specifications: title, double-
spacing, indenting,
alphabetical order, etc. (10)

Preparatory Work:

1. Preparatory work: outline,

source acquisition, and editing
checklist completed and
submitted. (5)

Total out of 100: / Points earned: