What is a diagnostic essay

Professor Remollino

Diagnostic: Illustration

A diagnostic essay is designed for a writing instructor to get a better idea of your strengths and

weaknesses. No two writers are exactly the same, so the instructor needs to be able to assess

where the writer is successful and unsuccessful in his or her writing. For your diagnostic essay,

you are to complete an Illustration Essay of 2 (full) to 3 double-spaced pages. Begin by reading

the section on Illustration, which is Chapter 12 in The Longman Writer Rhetoric and Reader.

You then need to choose one of the topics provided on pp. 227-228 and compose a well-

organized, developed, and supported response to the topic. Be certain to proofread carefully and

set up the paper in MLA format. Details are provided in the handout on paper requirements.

Here are your topic choices:

1. Many of today’s drivers have dangerous habits.

2. The worst kind of hypocrite is a religious hypocrite.

3. The best things in life are definitely not free.

4. A part-time job is an important experience that every college student should have.

5. The Internet has resulted in a generation of lazy young people.

6. ___________________________ (someone you know well) is a ______________ (use a

quality: open-minded, dishonest, compulsive, reliable, gentle, and so on) person.

7. You can tell a lot about people by observing what they wear and eat.

8. Too many Americans are overly concerned/completely unconcerned with being physically fit.

9. “How to avoid bad eating habits” is one course all college students should take.

10. More needs to be done to eliminate obstacles faced by the physically handicapped.

Note that for this writing assignment, you do not need to use sources; however, for some of the

course’s writing assignments, outside sources will be mandatory.