Essay 2

Dr. Bordelon's Introduction to Poetry

Now that you've had some practice with close reading, we'll apply this ability to a slightly larger canvas -- and bring in different voices.

Just as with Body Paragraph #3, we'll be working on this essay in parts. One difference is that you'll be adding secondary sources to support your own ideas.

Assignment

After choosing ONE of the topics below, write an essay which answers the stated or implied question. This is an argumentative essay, so you need to include a clear thesis which states your point, and the three or four reasons (taken from the story you're writing about) which led you to your point.

Your paragraphs should be constructed around your reasons, and each should offer examples from the story to prove the validity of your claim, and then a clear and detailed explanation of how and why these examples support the claim in your paragraph.

While this essay must include at least two secondary sources (see Secondary Sources page), the main emphasis is on your own thinking: the research doesn't determine what you say in your essay -- you do. The quotations from history books, literary critics, the author's letters, interviews, or other books from the time period will support your own ideas.

Your rough draft does not need to include your secondary sources.

Topics

Topic of your design.
Select your favorite from the poems we've read. Write an essay explaining why and how this poem "spoke" to you. This could be from an intellectual standpoint, aesthetic, personal -- a favorite wears many colors. Your divisions would list out the reasons explaining why your poem is da' bestest.
Choose a particular idea -- time, love, death, lust, etc. -- and write an essay showing how a particular poem addresses it.
We've read many older poems. Choose one and write an essay explaining how it engages in a conversation with/informs your reading of a later poem.
Many of the poems we've read focus on love: okay, what do they say about the problems of love?
How do different poems respond to war? Settle on a particular point (your thesis) and then trace this through at least two different poems.
Many of the poems we read deal with spirituality: Focus on a particular aspect of spirituality, and explore how at least two poems respond to it.
Topic of your own . . . . did I say that already? . . . .

Requirements

A minimum of 1500 words is required, as are a minimum of two secondary sources (reminder -- general encyclopedias, dictionaries do not count as secondary sources -- though if used, they have to be cited).

In addition, so I can give you feedback to improve your essay, you must make an appointment with me to review your draft at least a day before you submit it.

Research
The first place to check for sources is the library's databases (accessed via the Library Link). History, psychology, anthropology, or sociology textbooks are also very good sources. See me for several other sources as well.

To make it clear, do not use quotes from the open web ( as in sources found through an open web search via Google, Bing, etc.). Wikipedia is not considered a scholarly source nor are general encyclopedias (Britannica, etc.) and dictionaries. If you choose to use these sources, the highest grade you can receive is a D.

Do I have to remind you that of correctly documenting your sources using MLA parenthetical documentation style? Good: glad you knew this.

Planning and Drafting Suggestions
Be sure you have read and understood the definitions of an essay, thesis and division statement, topic sentences, introduction, and conclusion included in "The Glossary."

Follow the suggestions in "Planning and Drafting an Essay." Remember to check with me if you have any questions or concerns.

Remember that while your final draft must include secondary sources, the bulk of your quotes/examples must be from the primary source/s. If your essay contains only a few quotes from the primary source, your grade will reflect this lack of work with the issue at hand -- namely, the novel itself.

Revision and Proofreading Suggestions
More on this to come.

For now, consider these peer review questions:

How does the intro draw you in and make you want (or not want) to read the rest of the essay?
1. Reference to "real-life"?
2. Larger issue (growing up, love, truth, etc.) surrounding the poem?
3. Personal example?
4. Is the poem's title and author's name mentioned?
5. Do you need to define any terms? (love, war, truth)
6. Suggestions for new introduction?
Copy out the thesis and division statement.
1. Take out the questions from the assignment sheet. Which words in the thesis connect it to the question? Explain.
2. How could the divisions be made clearer or more specific?
Body paragraphs – answer the following questions for each paragraph
1. How could the topic sentence be made clearer? Which word in it connects back to the thesis statement? Which word to a division?
2. Is a definition or general explanation needed to frame the paragraph? In other words, what information would a reader need to understand the argument the writer is about to make? (i.e. how does love make a person crazy; how fighting can show love)
3. Where is more context/information needed to introduce a quote? (who's talking; when does the quote take place; what should the reader focus on in the quote)
4. Where is more detail (quotes, descriptions) from the literary work needed? Could a quote be shortened?
5. Knowing that the explanation should connect/explain how the examples prove the topic sentence, where do you need to "see" more of the writer's argument? Consider where a "real-life" example or analogy would help?
6. Where could the writer explain how the actual words (their verb tense, connotations, image patterns, tone, etc.) of the quote back up the argument of the paragraph?
7. Where do you lose the train of the writer's thinking?
8. Where could the writer break into a new paragraph (with more development)
Conclusion
1. Does conclusion refer back to the introduction?
2. Does it connect with an issue currently in the news?
3. Is it the old, tired, dry, "repeat your main points" conclusion?
4. Suggestions for new conclusion?

Submission Instructions

Note: Completing this will take a while, so give yourself enough time.

When you hand in this essay, you will turn in not only the final revision but the items listed below.

Reflecting : (Right on top) Answer the following questions: 1) what are the two most important things you learned about your subject/American literature from writing this essay? 2) how did the research affect your thinking/essay? Type this on a separate sheet of paper.
Final revision : the final, revised version of the essay. Follow sample MLA format essay (also on Course Documents page) for format. (This, my friends, is a no-brainer: take the sample essay in one hand, and your essay in the other and make your essay match the layout of name, line spacing, page numbering, etc. from the sample essay). All of the essays handed in need to have a title Be sure to proofread carefully -- as the writer of the paper you are responsible for any grammatical or typographical errors.
Works Cited Page : Be sure to include correctly formatted Work Cited page. (See "Citing Sources")
Email final draft to me : Using your own or the college's email account, send me an electronic copy of your final draft.

Make sure you have each of these before you hand in your paper. Hate to be a stickler, but . . .your paper will not be accepted and will be considered a "late paper" if you do not include all of the items noted above.

REMEMBER: You must make an appointment so we can review your rough draft before you can hand it in.

Grading

General grading comments are on the Grading page.

To receive a passing grade, you must successfully complete the following:
Organization: Have a clear thesis statement which suggests how a particular question is valid. You must also include a clear division statement which is then developed in separate paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
Content: Paragraphs that use specific quotes and examples from the story to prove your point -- AND a full and complete discussion on why and how that particular quote or word proves your point. REMEMBER: examples do not speak for themselves -- the core of a good literary essay is in your commentary and explanations of the examples. Integrate two secondary sources into your own arguments.
Proofreading: Sentences that are clear and no more than 4 major errors. Correctly documented sources: at least two outside sources (such as literary criticism, letters of the author, interviews, other works by the author) are needed.
Major errors: Sentence fragments, run-on sentences, verb-tense error, subject-verb agreement error, unclear phrasing/tangled wording, documentation, formatting, and spelling/wrong word error.

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