English 100
Porter
Write a 750 -word narrative describing an event, incident, or encounter in your past that has changed you in some noticeable (at least to you) way. For example, one student wrote about an injury he suffered as a high school lacrosse player. He was unable to play for one season and had to undergo extensive physical therapy. What he learned off the field about enduring pain, setting goals and inspiring others convinced him that he wanted to become a physical therapist. Perhaps your experience has been enlightening in a more subtle way. You might tell a story about something that has happened to you and surprise us with an insight that is different from what we might expect. Think about the essays we have read for class and consider our class discussions to help you choose a topic you feel passionate about and that your audience will find interesting. Be sure you create a dominant impression, that is, be clear about the impact the experience made on you and include enough details, dialogue and description to help your audience to get it.
A successful essay will include the following:
¨ An inviting title and attention-getting introduction
¨ A clear description/narration of the event
¨ Strong Telling Details that allow the audience to infer some of the intended meaning
¨ Dialogue to develop a character or advance plot
¨ Time and place transitions to help reader follow easily
¨ A conclusion that makes clear the meaning of the event and how it changed you (unless your details are so vivid that the meaning is clear without stating it).
Here’s what you hand in:
Rough Drafts and Peer Critique
Audience & Purpose statement
Pre-Writing
“I am never as clear about any matter as when I have just finished writing about it.”
James Van Allen
Assignment #2 Advancing a View on a Contemporary Issue
___________________________________________________________________
“Technology has ruined family life!”
“Things ain’t what they used to be.”
“Everything old is new again.”
“When I was your age, I [insert your own] walked 30 miles in the snow to school everyday.”
“Kids used to know their place, mind their manners.”
“Less is more.” “More is better.”
Is your experience of life different from that of your grandparents, parents, older or younger siblings? Have you been brought up differently than others you know? Consider your education, family traditions, cultural mores, or just some of the daily conveniences or annoyances you experience. Is life better, easier or more stressful because of them?
Write an essay that advances a very specific, personal view on a topic of interest and support it with well-developed examples, anecdotes, facts and observations.
Consider a current issue of importance to you. In class, we have discussed the broad areas of technology, education, politics, and gender as possible topics for this essay. Once you settle on your topic, begin to narrow the focus by discussing your point of view with others and by asking many questions, pro and con, of your topic. When you have narrowed the focus and believe you have a working thesis, begin drafting an essay that puts forth a firm view about your subject. Remember to consider your Audience and Purpose before you begin writing. Remember to use the techniques and strategies we have discussed in class and read about in NCH in terms of organizing and supporting your contentions.
Here’s what your successful essay will include:
¨ A strong Thesis Statement – includes Subject, Controlling Idea, and hint of organization
¨ Body paragraphs with Topic Sentences, Primary and Secondary Supports
¨ A Conclusion that goes beyond summary
Requirements:
750 words
informative title
careful attention to audience & purpose
variety of development strategies
“My first draft usually has only a few elements worth keeping. I have to find what they are and build from them and throw out what doesn’t work, or what simply is not alive.”
Susan Sontag