Getting Back on Track

If you have not handed in your essay by this morning nor emailed it to me, there will be points taken off your first essay.

By today's class you should have read:

the introduction to comparison/contrast - pages 371-376
the essay by Bruce Catton: "Grant and Lee: a Study in Contrasts"
the essay by Chua: "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior"

We will discuss a strategy for organizing your Comparison/Contrast essay today in class.
Your next essay will be due 2/26/14, if your class meets on Wednesday; it will be due 2/27/14 if your class meets Thursday.

The first day after spring break, we will discuss argumentation.
The second day after spring break, you will write your in-class essay (Essay #3).

Topics for Essay #1 - DUE THIS WEDNESDAY!!

Last Name 1

Student's First and Last Name

Mrs. Sharon Aiken

English 1101-

February 3, 2014

Topics for Essay Number One



          Note that topics for the first essay are being presented in MLA format, just in case you need a

reminder of presentation appearance. There should be one-inch margins all around; twelve-point,

plain font; an appropriate header and heading. The title is also in plain font and gives an indication of

what to anticipate in the paper. Note that the title is not boldfaced, underlined, italicized or in any

way different from the font used in the paper. For further assistance in format, refer tot he MLA

General Guidelines available at Purdue's Online Writing Lab [OWL].

 

          Topic One: Reality shows falls into many different types or categories: shows based around

celebrities, episodes that revolve around amusing or unique families, or shows based on competition

of one sort or another. Choose one type of reality show, explain why you find that type entertaining,

and develop the body of your paper around examples of shows that illustrate your point. Note that

these are not all the categories of reality shows and that some of these categories can overlap. What

might fall into reality shows that revolve around celebrities might also be included in those that

revolve around unique families, such as the Osbournes.

          Topic Two: The portability of the internet has made social networking more popular and more

available than ever. Select one type of social networking that you use and explain why you like--or

dislike--it, and whether you see it as a positive or negative addition to your life. Then provide

examples that illustrate your position.

          Topic Three: Americans are characterized in many ways: rude, self-centered, and arrogant, as

well as patriotic, generous, and optimistic. Which of these traits--or others--do you feel best

exemplifies Americans? Using your family and friends, show several examples that illustrate what

you mean.

          Remember to be broad and interesting in your introduction, lead to a definite thesis statement,

and support your thesis with specific, concrete details. Use your book as a resource to help you

compose and organize your paper, which should be between two and five pages, a MINIMUM of two

pages, double spaced.

        



RUBRIC for Essay #1 -- due the second day of this week

 Minimum Length: two double-spaced pages in MLA format; do not exceed five pages

CORRECT MLA FORMAT - 10 pts.

~ Correct header

~ Correct heading

~ Title is in correct placement, font

~ Double spaced

~ Correct margins

Introduction - 15 pts.

~ Interesting/adequate opening; uses a definite strategy, provides any needed background

~ Thesis statement is:

clearly worded

focus for paper

forceful, deliberate, strategically placed

Body Paragraphs - 25 pts.

~ support thesis statement

            ~ contain an implied or explicit topic sentence

~ fully developed with necessary details, examples, explanation, development that are “real,” clear, concrete and specific

Coherence & Unity - 25 pts.

~ information is in a logical, interesting order & sequence

            ~ no illogical OR unnecessary statements to distract

            ~ paper is fluent; flows with adequate transitions

            ~ ideas are easily followed

Grammar & Mechanics - 15 pts.

~ At the LEAST, the essay has NO:

                                    misspelled OR misused words

                                    fragments OR comma splices OR run-on sentences

                                    faulty tense shifts

                                    pronoun/antecedent errors

                                    vague pronoun references

Conclusion - 10 pts.

~ intelligent, relevant, compliments the paper

            ~ leaves reader with positive impression of composition as a whole

                       

In addition, an "A" paper contains exemplary language, correct usage, and keen insight. Though these traits are ideal, they are often the ones that separate a paper that is exceptional or outstanding from a paper that is merely very good.