The Expert’s Guide

[#1]

Assignment by Hannah Benefiel, Bedford New Scholar 2023

My first major writing assignment for English 101 is “The Expert Guide.” For this assignment, students are tasked with writing 1000 words about one niche thing about which they are experts. It sounds simple (my students think that, too!), but the assignment asks students to carefully analyze an audience invoked, develop a writerly ethos, and write descriptively. Additionally, I find that students are immediately dissuaded about using AI wholesale because they are passionate about their topic and believe they know more than the generative AI could know. Over the years, I’ve had students write guides about fascinating topics like two-handed bowling, the BTS fandom, and Fall Gen Z fashion on a budget. No matter what I do for major assignments two and three, students almost always say they relate best to the Expert Guide. I adore this assignment because it’s fun to grade and helps me quickly connect with my students with a low-stakes prompt. Below, you can find the assignment sheet! 

The Expert Guide Blog Post

English 101 | Fall 2023 | Arizona State University | Benefiel

In Project 1, you will (1) choose something you’re an expert on, (2) use secondary research to grow your expertise, and (3) use your knowledge to create a “Beginner’s Guide” to that thing, which will take the form of a blog post. In the process, you’ll work towards key course objectives. You’ll gain experience locating and evaluating secondary sources, thereby enriching your experiential knowledge. Too, you’ll practice writing for specific audiences and crafting purposeful organizations. 

The Steps

You’ll need to take some key steps to complete this assignment. As you take these steps, you will be prepared to succeed by class activities, assigned readings, support documents, and one-on-one instruction.

Step 1: Choose the “Thing”

Consider something (like a text, space, experience, or skill) that you have expertise in. You don’t need to know every detail about this thing, but you should know enough about it to (a) expand your knowledge through secondary research and (b) guide a beginner. The more specific the thing, the more likely your expertise will be unique. For example: there is definitely a guide to the Phoenix Art Museum, but there may not be one to finding the works of native Arizonans there. 

Step 2: Do the Research

Consult a variety of secondary sources to enrich your existing knowledge about the thing, so that you both cultivate and showcase your expertise for your beginner audience. You will be asked to compose a bibliography to accompany your blog post that includes all sources used for your research.

Step 3: Compile Your Knowledge in Writing

Craft an informative and entertaining blog post that synthesizes your experience, what you learned and what you know about your audience. You will craft and publish your blog post through Google Sites.

Parameters and Criteria for Success

Project 2 is considered complete if it is…

• Submitted on September 22 @ 7:00 am on Canvas and Google Sites

• Word Count: 1,000+

• Sources: 2+ popular sources; 3+ news OR scholarly sources; all sources are cited in hyperlinks.

• Formatting: In the blog, cite through hyperlinking when possible; additionally, upload your MLA or APA-formatted Bibliography on Canvas.

For information on what makes a Project 1 successful, see the Project 1 Rubric. Don’t be afraid to ask for help -- you’re being asked to undertake some serious challenges here, but remember, you’re the expert! I welcome questions, concerns, and challenges!