english

this is part 2 of the introduction and outline from the reading you chose:

Length: at least 1,000 of your own words in addition to quotes

Format: typed, double-spaced, MLA heading, MLA page headings, MLA

citations for quotes, an original title, NO block quotes

Content: In a unified, coherent, well-written essay of at least 1000 of your own words in addition to quotes from one of the texts you chose illustrate the validity and/or the flaws of the theory presented in the text:

This IS NOT a research essay; instead you should use examples and illustrations from your own life or the lives around you to explain how the theory is valid and/or flawed. Begin your essay with an introduction and thesis which states that the theory is valid; continue with supporting paragraphs that include quotes, textual analysis, and your illustrations; end with a non-repetitive conclusion.

Introduction (follow this order)

Hook, opening statement regarding the theory in the essay
Mention by name the author and title of the essay
List the three or four components of the theory
Thesis: Based on my own observations and experiences, (author’s name) presents a valid theory regarding _____________________.
Based on my own observations and experiences, author presents a flawed theory regarding ___________________.
Based on my own observations and experiences, author makes some valid and invalid points regarding _____________________.

Supporting paragraphs: Each one should have the following:*

Topic sentence stating the specific component
Quote and citation explaining the component
A brief explanation of the component
A detailed specific illustration (which supports or undermines the component)
*If you find that the paragraph is too long—more than 2/3 of a page—you may divide the component into 2 paragraphs: one on the text (the first 3 bullets above), and one on the specific illustration (the last bullet above).

For your essay, you will pick one of the readings, break it down into 3 or 4 parts (like you did for the reading outlines), and illustrate the validity of 3 or 4 of its points. To to this, YOU WILL USE YOUR OWN OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES. For each illustration, you should provide a specific DETAILED narrative that proves the point to be true. In other words, each illustration (one for each point) should narrate a specific event or incident (typically 5 or 6 sentences each), which exemplifies the point. This IS NOT a research essay. The illustrations should be based on what you have witnessed or experienced. Obviously, I do not know any of you personally, so you may take poetic license with your illustrations; please just make them plausible!

I know that the author’s points may be too general and stereotypical. For example, in my own life, there are many examples that undermine what Tannen describes in her essay; I know many men–I’m one of them–who do not like to talk in public and who do not belittle others when they listen to their problems (as Tannen argues). However, the point of your essay is to argue that you have witnessed examples of what the author describes, so if I were writing about Tannen, I would provide illustrations of one male (out of the many I know) who does these things. Make sense?

Concluding paragraph

Restate the thesis in different words
Offer some general ideas regarding the theory. Is there a solution? Is the theory realistic? Can you see the other side?