Write an original, researched essay in which you analyze a significant figure or phenomenon within our culture or another culture. Your analysis should expose the underlying assumptions and the cultural implications of your subject. The essay should synthesize differing views to persuade, rather than merely to inform, so make sure that it has a debatable point at its center.
Journal entries associated with this assignment will be posted so that students may ask questions, explore topics, and present sources. Include your essay topic in these journal entries. Essay topics need to be approved.
Your argument should be supported by solid evidence from at least five credible sources, of which three must be peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles from the library data bases or excerpts from published books.
Checklist
To earn at least a C [70] on this assignment, be sure to do all of the following things:
Write at least 1300 words and not more than 1750.
Present your essay in MLA paper format. Essays with missing or incorrect MLA paper format earn up to 15 fewer points.
Give your essay an interesting and original title.
Create an introductory paragraph that grabs the reader’s attention, provides background information, and funnels to the thesis. The introduction should be at least five sentences long, counting the thesis.
Form a one-sentence thesis that is assertive, specific, and responsive to the prompt. Remember that the thesis is neither an announcement nor a list. Place the thesis at end of introduction for clear organization. Boldface the thesis.
Write topic sentences that are assertive and specific, that directly support the thesis, and that organize the sentences the follow each of them. Place a topic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph for clear organization. Boldface topic sentences.
Develop body paragraphs that are cohesive, coherent, and unified. Include two to three quotations in each body paragraph.
Quote or paraphrase at least five credible outside sources.
Synthesize the ideas from these sources by putting them into conversation with one another in your body paragraphs.
Document sources using correct MLA documentation: signal phrases, in-text citations, and Works Cited entries.
Create a conclusion that refers to the thesis. The conclusion should sum up the meaning of the essay and be memorable to the reader. Write at least five sentences. Do not use the phrase “In conclusion.”
Prepare an MLA Works Cited page that documents your use of every outside source in your essay. Only list those works that you have quoted or paraphrased. Every entry on the Works Cited page must match one or more in-text citations. Missing or incorrect MLA documentation may result in a failing grade for the essay.
Produce an essay that is “substantially free of major errors of standard written English.” Essays with numerous sentence-level errors may not earn a passing grade.
Follows standards for writing academic essays. See “Academic Dos and Don’ts.”
