ALDE 122 2021

FORMAL ASSESSMENT 2: INTRODUCTION

One outcome of ALDE 112 is the ability to write an argumentative academic essay on a specific topic. Producing a well-written academic essay with a logical
argument is not an easy task. To assist you in successfully producing this type of text, we follow a process approach in our writing programme. The process
consists of two written assignments; of which this is the first.

For this assignment, you are required to write an introduction to an argumentative essay on the general theme: The fourth industrial revolution. A topic will
be provided by your lecturer. You will submit this introduction, receive feedback from your lecturer, then incorporate the feedback on this assignment when
producing the second written assignment: a full-length argumentative essay using the same theme and topic.

At this stage of writing, the focus is on structure, technical aspects and academic language usage (i.e. register and spelling). Refer to the information concerning
how to write an introduction which is provided on eFundi.

THEME: THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: ADVANTAGE OR HINDRANCE?

The term industrial revolution refers to a major shift that takes place in society because of the development of certain technologies. The invention of the steam
engine and the mechanisation of the textile industry, for example, led to significant social changes in parts of the world during the First Industrial Revolution
(ca. 1760–1820). In a 2016 book, Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, observed that the world has entered a Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This revolution is characterised by greater integration of digital and physical systems and increasing automation of manufacturing and industry using smart
technology. Recent technological advances associated with this revolution include artificial intelligence, 3D printing, fully autonomous vehicles and
nanotechnology. While this development may hold significant benefits in various fields, there are fears that it may intensify inequality. In this regard, Schwab
(2016) stated that “[t]here has never been a time of greater promise, or one of greater potential peril.” This raises the question of whether the Fourth Industrial
Revolution holds greater advantage or disadvantage for a developing nation like South Africa and for specific industries and sectors in the country.

Against this background and based on your own further reading, you need to write an introduction (and, eventually, the full-length essay) on a topic provided
to you by your lecturer.

Reference:
Schwab, K. 2016. The Fourth Industrial Revolution. New York: Crown Business.
 REQUIREMENTS

• Your introduction must consist of ONE PARAGRAPH of between 100 and 150 words.

• It must contain ALL the following elements (only about one or two sentences per element):
o background (a basic explanation of the topic and context),
o problem statement (a brief explanation of the problem underlying the writing) and thesis statement (a statement of the purpose of the writing,
which must include your stance on the topic), and
o preview of the main points of discussion (an indication of the specific arguments that will structure the essay).

• In addition to the introduction, your submission must contain Body paragraph 1

• This body paragraph must connect to the thesis, or main idea/topic, of the essay,
• Have only one main idea
• Provide elaboration and further explanation of the main idea.
Your lecturer will provide instructions and explanations regarding these elements, which are also explained thoroughly during the live lesson as
well as on eFundi.
• Provide a numbered heading for the introduction (i.e. 1. Introduction). Keep in mind that it will be the first section of the final essay.
• Technical requirements: The essay must be typed using:
Arial 11 pt. font (12 pt. for the heading),
1.5 spacing,
a blocked (justified) layout,
normal (2.5 cm) margins, and correct spacing before and after words and punctuation marks.
(Please seek assistance if you are unsure how to apply these requirements, as failure to do so will result in penalisation - see marking rubric)

• You are NOT required to cite external sources for this part of the assignment. If you choose to include information from sources, you must provide text
references and a reference list which comply with the requirements of the NWU Harvard/APA/Law style as set out in the NWU Referencing guide (2020).
• Save your document as your student number Surname Introduction (12345678 Lekopanye Introduction) for identification purposes. Do not save the
document as ALDE122 Assignment, FA2, ALDE etc

• Use the marking rubric below to ensure that your assignment complies with all requirements. The marking scheme does NOT need to be submitted.
ALDE 122: Marking scheme Formal Assessment: Producing an Introduction [Intro]
Background and contextualisation
Poor Inadequate Average Excellent Total Mark
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
No background/ Weak attempt at formulating the background/ Adequate formulation of the Excellent formulation of the background/
contextualisation. contextualisation. background/ contextualisation. 6
contextualisation.

Problem Statement and comprehension of topic (thesis/main argument/point of view)

Poor Inadequate Average Excellent Total Mark
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
No problem Problem statement is not clear/ Problem statement clearly defined/ Excellent problem statement, appropriately situated in the
statement/incorrect inadequate concept of the topic sufficient understanding of the topic contextualisation/ topic interpreted correctly; good 6
comprehension of topic. shown. illustrated. understanding of content shown.

Framework/method/preview of main points of discussion

Poor Inadequate Average Excellent Total Mark
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
Does not explain the framework/method that Attempts to include a framework/method Satisfactory formulation of the Excellent framework/method
will be followed. No statement of the main but does so weakly. Main points not framework/method. Adequate statement and statement of the main 6
points. evident. of the main points. points.

Language, academic style, and spelling (Academic style: formality & clarity; formulation)
Poor Inadequate Average Good Excellent Total Mark
1 2 3 4 5
Serious problems in formulation, Weak sentence structure; and/or Some problems in formulation, Minor problems in academic Excellent academic style,
academic style. Text is largely serious problems in formulation, academic style. Mixed register style, good sentence structure formulation, and sentence
informal/unintelligible. Linking academic style; linking devices used. Inadequate level of and formulation. Mostly formal structure. Appropriate formal
devices used incorrectly. The not used and/or inadequate use of vocabulary; linking devices register. Linking devices used register maintained; Linking 5
number of errors interferes with linking devices. Contains typical used but with some mistakes. sufficiently and correctly. devices used sufficiently and
meaning. errors that could have been Contains some typical errors Primarily error free. correctly. Error free.
eliminated easily. that could have been
eliminated easily.

Technical aspects: Arial 11pt; 1.5-line spacing; text justified; word count; heading included and numbered correctly

0 1 2
Instructions not followed. Some requirements met. All requirements correct. 2

TOTAL: 25