English 99 Essay 2 Assignment

English 99 Essay 2 Assignment

In Chapter IV of Citizen Vince, we meet Johnny Boy, a mafia boss. On page 153, an argument erupts during a card game, and Johnny Boy displays what Gerald Graff might refer to as “hidden intellectualism.” In his essay with that title, Graff argues, “We associate the educated life, the life of the mind, too narrowly and exclusively with subjects and texts that we consider inherently weighty and academic” (142). Johnny Boy employs some fairly sophisticated intellectual reasoning to argue against the possibility that the University of Alabama football team’s loss to Mississippi was somehow a rigged outcome. Does that make Johnny Boy a hidden intellectual?

For this essay, your task is to argue that Johnny Boy is or is not a hidden intellectual. In addition to the scene described on page 153, look for evidence from other passages in the book and from your own experiences. Do you know someone who displays what you think of as hidden intellectualism? Do you display it yourself? Begin your essay with an introductory paragraph that explains Graff’s concept of hidden intellectualism and that ends in a thesis statement arguing for or against a reading of Johnny Boy as a hidden intellectual. Write as many body paragraphs as you need to introduce your supporting evidence. You could devote a body paragraph to Johnny Boy and then another paragraph to someone you know (including yourself). Then wrap it all up with a concluding paragraph. Your conclusion could compare and contrast Johnny Boy to whoever else you wrote about in order to circle back to the conclusion you reached in your thesis statement—that Johnny Boy either is or is not a hidden intellectual.

The essay must be typed (double-spaced) and should be proofread very carefully. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font and one-inch margins. Don’t forget a title, page numbers, and a works cited page. This essay is due on Thursday, January 29th.

Your grade for this essay will be based on how well it displays

· a clearly stated thesis, supported by relevant details and examples

· a coherent structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

· paragraphs that are each unified by a topic sentence

· sentences that are grammatically correct and properly punctuated

· an ability to read and accurately follow the instructions for the assignment

An A paper will display all of these characteristics, as well as a thoughtful, engaged approach to the topic. A B paper will display all or almost all of these characteristics, but it may be overly simplified. A C paper will display most of these characteristics. A D paper will display few of these characteristics, and an F paper will display none of them. The grade this essay earns will count for 10% of your English 99 course grade.

Works Cited

Graff, Gerald. “Hidden Intellectualism.” They Say/I Say. Ed. Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. New York: Norton, 2006. 142-148.

Walter, Jess. Citizen Vince. New York: HarperCollins, 2005.