For your third essay assignment of the semester, you will write a thesis-driven essay answering the following question:
How is literature, or storytelling, important
in one of the cultures you identify with?”
Select one of the cultures you identify with (ethnic, religious, hobby, racial, linguistic)
Options: Traditional Essay
Length requirement: 750 words, minimum, for essay;
Formatting requirements: double-spaced, in size 12 Times New Roman font
File type: .doc or PDF
Evidence: One class reading (primary source, There There by Tommy Orange); one secondary source of your own choosing
This essay counts for 25% of your overall class grade.
Suggestions for Writing
1.) Answer the essay question. This is your thesis statement, which goes at the end of the introduction. Prior to the thesis, introduce the novel and author by name and provide a 1-2 sentence summary.
2.) Come up with two supporting points of your thesis. These are your topic sentences for your body paragraphs.
3.) For each supporting point, find a passage from one class reading (There There by Tommy Orange) that you can quote as your evidence.
4.) Find a secondary source (an article, documentary, or author interview, or book review) that you can quote to support your argument. Figure out which of your supporting points it fits better under. Doing so will help you identify in which body paragraph the quotation from your secondary source will go.
ESSAY #3 STRUCTURE
•Introduction – Overview of the topic. Introduce your community. Thesis Statement answering the question.
•Body Paragraph #1 – Topic sentence articulating first supporting point of thesis. Quoted passage from the novel. Explanation of how quoted passage supports your argument.
•Body Paragraph #2 – Topic sentence articulating second supporting point of thesis. Quoted passage from the novel. Explanation of how quoted passage supports your argument.
*** Quote from a secondary source in one of your body paragraphs. Your secondary source should be about the importance of storytelling in your specific community ***
•Conclusion
•Works Cited section – List any sources you quote from in your essay.
*** Please note your Works Cited section must now include two entries: your primary source (the class reading) and your secondary source.
Below is an explanation of how your work will be evaluated.
“A”
The “A” essay/podcast offers a concise, analytical thesis statement in response to the question. The student uses relevant passages from one class reading, thoughtfully explaining how each passage supports their claim. The writing/talk flows smoothly from one idea to the next, and contains all the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class. There are no recurring grammar or citation issues.
“B”
The essay/podcast offers an analytical thesis statement in response to the question. The student uses relevant passages from one class reading, but there are times when the explanation of these passages requires further development. The writing/talk mostly flows smoothly from one idea to the next and contains all the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class. There are one or two recurring grammar or citation issues.
*** An essay/podcast that does not use a secondary source cannot receive a grade higher than a B ***
“C”
The essay/podcast offers a thesis statement that answers the question – albeit in a general way. It often veers into summary when the student attempts to explain how the class reading supports the thesis. The assignment contains most of the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class, and there are some issues transitioning from one idea to the next. There may also be a few recurring grammar or citation issues.
“D”
The essay/podcast attempts to provide a thesis statement, but it is difficult to understand what exactly the argument is. Moreover, the student often summarizes the class reading instead of using select excerpts of it to support their argument. There are many recurring issues with grammar and citations.
“F”
The essay/podcast does not provide a thesis statement that answers the question. Moreover, it does not mention and explain one of the class readings to support the thesis.
0 = No essay submitted
For your third essay assignment of the semester, you will write a thesis-driven essay answering the following question:
How is literature, or storytelling, important
in one of the cultures you identify with?”
Select one of the cultures you identify with (ethnic, religious, hobby, racial, linguistic)
Options: Traditional Essay
Length requirement: 750 words, minimum, for essay;
Formatting requirements: double-spaced, in size 12 Times New Roman font
File type: .doc or PDF
Evidence: One class reading (primary source, There There by Tommy Orange); one secondary source of your own choosing
This essay counts for 25% of your overall class grade.
Suggestions for Writing
1.) Answer the essay question. This is your thesis statement, which goes at the end of the introduction. Prior to the thesis, introduce the novel and author by name and provide a 1-2 sentence summary.
2.) Come up with two supporting points of your thesis. These are your topic sentences for your body paragraphs.
3.) For each supporting point, find a passage from one class reading (There There by Tommy Orange) that you can quote as your evidence.
4.) Find a secondary source (an article, documentary, or author interview, or book review) that you can quote to support your argument. Figure out which of your supporting points it fits better under. Doing so will help you identify in which body paragraph the quotation from your secondary source will go.
ESSAY #3 STRUCTURE
•Introduction – Overview of the topic. Introduce your community. Thesis Statement answering the question.
•Body Paragraph #1 – Topic sentence articulating first supporting point of thesis. Quoted passage from the novel. Explanation of how quoted passage supports your argument.
•Body Paragraph #2 – Topic sentence articulating second supporting point of thesis. Quoted passage from the novel. Explanation of how quoted passage supports your argument.
*** Quote from a secondary source in one of your body paragraphs. Your secondary source should be about the importance of storytelling in your specific community ***
•Conclusion
•Works Cited section – List any sources you quote from in your essay.
*** Please note your Works Cited section must now include two entries: your primary source (the class reading) and your secondary source.
Below is an explanation of how your work will be evaluated.
“A”
The “A” essay/podcast offers a concise, analytical thesis statement in response to the question. The student uses relevant passages from one class reading, thoughtfully explaining how each passage supports their claim. The writing/talk flows smoothly from one idea to the next, and contains all the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class. There are no recurring grammar or citation issues.
“B”
The essay/podcast offers an analytical thesis statement in response to the question. The student uses relevant passages from one class reading, but there are times when the explanation of these passages requires further development. The writing/talk mostly flows smoothly from one idea to the next and contains all the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class. There are one or two recurring grammar or citation issues.
*** An essay/podcast that does not use a secondary source cannot receive a grade higher than a B ***
“C”
The essay/podcast offers a thesis statement that answers the question – albeit in a general way. It often veers into summary when the student attempts to explain how the class reading supports the thesis. The assignment contains most of the necessary components of an argument as we have discussed them in class, and there are some issues transitioning from one idea to the next. There may also be a few recurring grammar or citation issues.
“D”
The essay/podcast attempts to provide a thesis statement, but it is difficult to understand what exactly the argument is. Moreover, the student often summarizes the class reading instead of using select excerpts of it to support their argument. There are many recurring issues with grammar and citations.
“F”
The essay/podcast does not provide a thesis statement that answers the question. Moreover, it does not mention and explain one of the class readings to support the thesis.
0 = No essay submitted
PLEASE ONE SOURCE MUST COME FROM THE READING!!!