Final Writing Task—the American Dream and/or the individual’s role in society.

Prompt 1: Compare and contrast the authors’ views about an individual’s role in society by analyzing the symbols, images, and/or literary devices (such as parallelism or repetition).

Available Texts: Once Upon A Time, Quilt of a Country, Rituals of Memory, Gettysburg Address, Oklahoma Bombing Memorial Address, Vietnam Wall, “Let America Be America Again,” various articles about the American Dream, etc.

1.  Choose two or more texts that we read in this class. One MUST be a poem.

2.  Read through the texts that we have read for this class and take notes.

  1. What is the main idea or message of this work?
  2. Is this piece fiction/non-fiction?
  3. What is the point-of-view?
  4. Identify: tone, mood, symbols, irony, imagery, parallel structure, metaphors?
  5. Which items in (d) help develop, convey, or emphasize the theme or message?

3.  Compare: What do the texts have in common? What is different?

4.  Draft a claim (thesis): Do these two works have enough in common that you can claim they both share a similar message? How is that theme developed (through symbols, tone, point-of-view, irony, etc)? Or do they have different themes but similar literary structures or a shared literary device?

  1. “Vietnam Wall is a poem about a guy looking at a wall” is a summary, not a thesis. “Although they differ in their messages, Let America be America Again and The Gettysburg Address utilize repetition to clarify their main ideas and motivate the listener” is a thesis.

5.  Begin your first draft.

  1. DOUBLE SPACE when you write
  2. Engage your readers with an interesting introduction to your topic and a clear thesis. Underline your thesis!
  3. Present your details, quotations, and examples from the selections in logically ordered paragraphs. Each paragraph should have one central idea related to your controlling idea with evidence to support it. Explain how each piece of evidence supports the central idea.
  4. Don’t forget quotation marks around quotes—and don’t forget to analyze the quote. Wiggly Underline each quote.
  5. I want you to underline the central idea of each paragraph.
  6. Use transitions to link paragraphs. (First, second, in addition, moreover, in contrast, etc).
  7. Write a conclusion that summarizes your analysis and re-states the primary claim (make sure to re-word it so that you aren’t just repeating yourself).

6.  Check your draft

  1. Are the titles and authors of the selections accurately identified in my introduction?
  2. Have I provided enough relevant textual evidence to support my main idea?
  3. Do I develop my ideas in logical order? Are my transitions smooth?
  4. Did I make any mistakes in grammar or spelling? (I recommend that you work with a friend to do this one—it REALLY helps to read your paper aloud or have them read it aloud because you can usually find grammar and punctuation mistakes best when you hear them).

REQUIREMENTS:

o  4 paragraphs minimum (one introduction, one conclusion, 2 “body” paragraphs)—please INDENT to show new paragraphs ( 12 points)

o  At least 400 words (yes, you need to count them and write how many you have at the top of the first page). (10 points)

o  At least 2 quotes, wiggly underlined with proper punctuation (but no more than 20% of the paper can be quotes) (10 points)

o  A work cited page (we will draft this together on Tuesday, after you have selected your texts) (5 points)

o  Double-spaced (5 points)

o  Thesis and central ideas clearly underlined (10 points)

o  Ideas and Evidence=16 points (see rubric)

o  Organization=16 points (see rubric)

o  Language=16 points (see rubric)

o  Total points=100

o  This essay is worth 20% of your total grade for the class.

This is due next Thursday 12/11 in class or Friday/Saturday by email. I will accept late papers (20% reduced grade) if given to me by Monday 12/15. Work given to me on Tuesday 12/16 will receive a maximum score of 60%.

I want to remind everyone that plagiarism is unacceptable. If you copy from the internet, I will give you an automatic “fail” on the assignment. You may use the internet for help, but you MUST properly quote and cite anything that you choose to add to your paper.

I highly recommend that you begin working on this over the weekend.

Please email me if you have questions. Do not wait until the last minute to ask questions because I will not have time to help you.

Alternative Prompt 1: What is the American Dream? What does it take to achieve this dream? Who determines one’s success in the dream? Compare at least two perspectives on the American Dream and discuss each of these three questions from each perspective. You must use at least one poem.

Alternative Prompt 2: Some individuals believe that the American Dream cannot be achieved by all people. Those who believe this say that our culture contains too many roadblocks and obstacles, such as prejudice, poverty, and social inequality. Others believe that America is the “land of opportunity” and that if you dream it, you can achieve it. They cite the various “rags to riches” stories in our society, as well as the numerous individuals who have stumbled upon success or have worked hard to rise to the top. In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on the question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. You must use at least one poem.

1.  Take notes: Look at the texts you have chosen.

a.  What is the theme or message about the American Dream that is conveyed in this article or poem?

b.  Underline or highlight quotes that stand out to you.

2.  Write your thesis.

a.  “Everyone has a different idea about the American Dream” is not a thesis. “The American Dream is the idea that you can achieve what you want to achieve, no matter who you are, if you live in America” is a thesis.

3.  Draft your paper.

4.  Begin your first draft.

a.  DOUBLE SPACE when you write

b.  Engage your readers with an interesting introduction to your topic and a clear thesis. Underline your thesis! It is best if you put the thesis in the first paragraph or 2nd.

c.  Present your details, quotations, and examples from the selections in logically ordered paragraphs. Each paragraph should have one central idea related to your controlling idea with evidence to support it. Explain how each piece of evidence supports the central idea.

i.  Don’t forget quotation marks around quotes—and don’t forget to analyze or explain the quote. Wiggly Underline each quote.

ii. I want you to underline the central idea of each paragraph.

d.  Use transitions to link paragraphs. (First, second, in addition, moreover, in contrast, etc).

e.  Write a conclusion that summarizes your analysis and re-states the primary claim (make sure to re-word it so that you aren’t just repeating yourself).

5.  Check your draft

a.  Are the author’s and/or titles correctly cited with each quotation or paraphrase?

b.  Have I provided enough relevant textual evidence to support my main idea?

c.  Do I develop my ideas in logical order? Are my transitions smooth?

d.  Did I make any mistakes in grammar or spelling? (I recommend that you work with a friend to do this one—it REALLY helps to read your paper aloud or have them read it aloud because you can usually find grammar and punctuation mistakes best when you hear them).