Writing Question

Important Writing Requirements

• Language: English
• Academic Level: Undergraduate (USF IDS 2378)
• Length: 34 pages, double-spaced
• Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
• Format: Word or PDF
• Citation Style: APA (light use is fine)
• Tone:
  • Human-written
  • Reflective and analytical
  • Natural academic voice (not robotic, not AI-sounding)
• Sentence Style:
  • Mix of short and medium-length sentences
  • Avoid repetitive structures
  • Smooth transitions between paragraphs

Core Belief to Write About

Belief: Critical thinking is more important than memorization in learning and professional growth.

(This belief has already been used in previous mini-write assignments.)

REQUIRED STRUCTURE & CONTENT

SECTION 1 Personal Belief & Ethos ( 1 page)

The writer should:

• Clearly state the belief
• Explain why this belief is personally significant
• Describe how it developed over time
• Connect it to personal, academic, or professional experiences
• Articulate a personal ethos (values that guide actions and decisions)
• Acknowledge any initial assumptions or biases

SECTION 2 Disciplinary Perspectives ( 1.5 pages total)

Each subsection should be about page.

A. STEM Perspective

• How STEM fields view critical thinking vs. memorization
• Role of data, problem-solving, experimentation, and analysis
• Strengths and limitations of this belief from a STEM lens

B. Social Sciences Perspective

• Psychological or sociological views on learning and cognition
• How culture, behavior, and human development relate to the belief
• Any challenges or support this discipline provides

C. Business & Communication Perspective

• How business and management value critical thinking
• Decision-making, leadership, adaptability, and communication
• Potential assumptions or biases (efficiency, productivity, profit focus)

Each discipline should:

• Identify key variables/concepts
• Explain how the discipline interprets the belief
• Go beyond description and include analysis

SECTION 3 Synthesis & Evaluation ( 1 page)

The writer should:

• Compare and synthesize the three disciplinary perspectives
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of the belief
• Discuss assumptions, biases, and alternative viewpoints
• Reflect on how disciplinary lenses reshaped or deepened understanding
• Conclude with a thoughtful, logical evaluation of the belief

WHAT THE PAPER MUST DEMONSTRATE

• Strong critical and analytical thinking
• Clear interdisciplinary synthesis
• Logical organization and smooth transitions
• Original reflection (not generic or surface-level)
• Clear effort to meet Exceeds Expectations rubric criteria

WHAT TO AVOID

• AI-sounding or overly polished language
• Listing disciplines without analysis
• Oversimplified or obvious conclusions
• Repetitive sentence patterns

FINAL GOAL

A human-written, well-structured 34 page draft that fully meets IDS 2378 requirements and is ready for instructor feedback before the final paper.