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Write an argumentative essay that answers one of the questions below.
Length minimum 1250 words -- though most essays are longer.
The basics need to be covered: title, introduction, thesis statement with divisions, body paragraphs and a conclusion. You
must include at least two secondary sources to support your idea (if
secondary sources are not included, the highest grade you earn is a "D"
-- see below for more on research). And of course you'll use
MLA Works Cited documentation style. Do I have to even mention that it
needs to be typed and double spaced and follow MLA format? I didn't
think so.
You cannot hand in your work unless it is discussed in a conference
with me at least one day before the final draft is due. Check my office
door for appointment times: if none of the available times work for
you, check with me to make other arrangements.
For
additional feedback, I suggest making an appointment in the Writing
Center (R124) -- and remember that both "A" and "C" level writers can
benefit from working closely with another person during the revision
process.
In
addition to torture, do you know why research papers are assigned? 1)
Torture (oops, said that already); 2) so you can more deeply understand
the topic at hand. If the research is done correctly, as in reading
several sources to more fully understand your argument, you end up
teaching yourself about the subject. Thus, if you're writing about
metafiction in O'Brien's work, you'll learn much more than we cover in
class both about metafiction and O'Brien; and 3) connected to this idea
of learning more deeply is information literacy -- the ability to find
the information you need from a variety of media.
With
this in mind remember to choose the research you decide to incorporate
into your work carefully. Be prepared to read several
essays/chapters/excerpts from books or articles from journals before
you find material that will help your essay. Sorry to emphasis the
negative, but avoid just "sticking in" a source because it's required:
I expect you to use a source to support an idea you're making, not
merely because it's required.
You are expected to
understand and avoid plagiarism. Be SURE to review the definition of
plagiarism and use MLA documentation. See citing sources link for more info on this.
The "Secondary Source" page offers suggestions and a few links to sources.
Even if you feel comfortable writing essays, be sure to review the
different entries under the heading "Drafting and Revision Suggestions"
(Course Documents page) -- they are my way of letting you know the kind
of writing I am looking for. Be sure you have read and understood the
definitions of an essay, thesis and division statement, topic
sentences, organization (filled with examples), introduction, and
conclusion included in Dr. Bordelon’s Glossary (Course Documents page).
Remember to check with me if you have any questions or concerns. Pay
attention to the due dates -- and remember that you'll be making
revisions after your rough draft.
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General
encyclopedia (Britannica, etc.) articles, as well as "Google" and other
open web sources are usually not considered scholarly and should not be
used (there goes Sparknotes). Instead, use books or a source from one
of the college's databases, accessed by clicking on Library Links on
the Course site to the right. Check with me before using any internet
source that is not from our databases.
If you know of a source from the open web that you'd like to incorporate into your essay, check with me before using it. |
To help you complete the best work, you'll note that the writing is due
in parts and you'll get feedback before the essay is graded.
I've
also included suggestions on this site (read the definitions of
divisions, thesis statements, division statements, context, and body
paragraph in the glossary) covering
planning, revision, adding sources, and proofreading that should help
you write an essay that clearly presents your thinking.
We'll be growing our own this semester; following your own interests, develop a topic question similar to the ones below.
We'll be reviewing this in class to get you thinking.
- One
writes of war, and the other writes of . . . well, something, yet both
Tim O'Brien and Jorge Luis Borges' work seem eerily similar. Focus on
one point of connection (i.e. "Both writers believe _________") and
write an essay which argues why this connection is valid.
- Both
"The Lottery" and "The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas" describe a
"fictional" society, but is there truth in their representations of
reality? Are the writers commenting on the psychology, morality or some
other aspect of contemporary life/society? Choose one story to focus
on, decide what you think this commentary is (or in other words, what
are the writers "saying" about contemporary life -- narrow this down to
one idea, which will be your thesis), and then compare relevant aspects
of the story to "real" life (i.e. prove your thesis with ideas from the
story -- these will be your divisions). Be very specific here: connect
specific quotes from story with specific "real" life incidents.
- "Carnal
Knowledge," and "Shiloh" each portray a relationship that is on the
rocks -- or headed that way. Through the actions (or inaction) of the
characters, what are these authors suggesting about modern-day
relationships? What, given the lives of these characters, is the
problem? After first determining what this X factor is, show how one of
the stories illustrates it.
- The stories "Horizontal
Snow," "Gimpel the Fool," and "The Angel Levine" all deal with
questions of faith. Strangely, in each case the "messenger" -- or
agent of grace -- seems, if not irreligious, than definitely not what
you normally expect from a religious person. Still, their
devotion shines through. Choose either Lot Stoner, Gimpel, or
Levine, and show how the author reveals their essential divinity.
- Are
Tim O'Brien's stories only "war stories"? Write an essay which
argues that, while their setting is Vietnam, and the protagonists often
soldiers, that his work is really about _______ -- you fill in the
blank with your own opinion. You must use at least two of his
stories to prove your point. You may want to review some of the
other stories in his collection The Things They Carried , found in most
bookstores and libraries.
- Borges' fictions have
often been called philosophy in narrative form. One famous
philosophical conundrum has been the nature of reality, and Borges
takes an obvious delight in constructing stories which constantly poke
and prod our assumptions of what is "real." How does he do this? Using
at least two of his stories, explain how his work questions perceived
notions of reality. Remember to start out with a specific claim (i.e.
"His works question reality by . . . .") and then support it with
specific reasons/examples prove it.
- "Blood is
thicker than water" -- or so the old saw goes. Yet sometimes the blood
is a bit thin. In "Barn Burning" we see in Sarty a person who slowly
realizes that he wants to separate himself from his family -- and the
values they represent. How would you characterize this change: from
what to what? How does Faulkner illustrate this change in Sarty's
character?
- What is Walker saying about heritage in "Everyday Use"? How can you tell?
- A question of your own that you'd like to explore. This must be approved by me at least one day before the rough draft is due.
See syllabus.
To receive a passing grade, your essay should meet the following criteria:
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.
Proofreading :
Sentences that are clear and no more than 5 major errors (these errors
include sentence fragments, run-on sentences, verb-tense error,
subject-verb agreement error, unclear phrasing/tangled wording,
documentation, formatting, and spelling/wrong word error).
© 2019 David Bordelon
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