Signature Assignment: Personal Renaissance Description and Writing Prompt

The Renaissance, as we learned in the course, represented a rebirth of knowledge and culture, as well as new ways of thinking, beginning in the 14^th century. Just as a civilization can have a renaissance, individuals can experience a renaissance as well. In this assignment, you will describe a personal renaissance related to our course by responding to ONE of the following prompts.

• Which readings affected you the most, why, and how?
• How do specific concepts you've learned in this course enhance concepts you learned in a different course?
• How has this course changed specific thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes you had before taking this course?
• How have you applied the course material to your own working situation or personal life?

Writing Guidelines

1. An essay with the expected level of depth will bea minimum ofthree double-spaced pages with normal margins and font size. Four is almost always better. Do not use any method of "stretching out" your essay.
2. Directly addressing one of the writing prompt is of course required. Beyond that, your writing should show depth and critical thinking by elaborating on your points, making meaningful connections, highlighting new insights, and/or using techniques such as questioning, comparing, interpreting, and analyzing.
3. A significant part of your grade depends on the incorporation of specific concepts that you have learned in the course. When you mention these specific concepts, also be sure to explain them in a way that demonstrates your understanding of them and how they apply.
4. As you are writing your essay, be sure you are describing original, genuine, and personal insights. Go beyond listing what you've learned in the course.
5. Since this essay will be added to your ePortfolio, write for a general audience. Be sure your introduction provides context to anyone who might view your ePortfolio, so that they understand what you are writing about and why. Also be sure your introduction makes it clear which writing prompt you are responding to.
6. As this essay is largely reflective, you should express a bit of your personality and character through the words that you choose. You may use the first person. Use engaging language that is interesting, compelling, and captivating. At the same time, be sure your language follows conventions of standard written English and is not too informal.
7. Write a cohesive essay, with an introduction, paragraphs for each subtopic, transitions between paragraphs, and a conclusion. Use complete sentences throughout. Do not use bullet points or lists of vocabulary words.
8. This essay must be written from scratch by you in your own words. If you copy from an online essay or other source in whole or in part, you will be discovered, and you will receive a zero on this project, plus additional disciplinary action as appropriate. You may not copy from your own previous work either.