Essay #1 Assignment

 

The essays that you write for this class are analytical, expository essays. The word ‘exposition’ means to inform, to explain, or to expose. Consequently, your goal is to show your audience insight, interpretation or information about your topic and to help us see why your point of view is valid among other possible viewpoints.

 

The first essay can be written on a topic of your choice. The only stipulations that I make are: (1) that you follow the Requirements as delineated below; (2) write the essay in the same format that I have been teaching all semester, i.e. with an Introduction, Body Paragraphs & Conclusion; (3) include at the end of the Introduction a thesis statement; (4) design the essay in a logical manner.

 

Requirements

This essay must use at least three sources and MLA internal documentation. This includes a Works Cited page. In addition, the essay must be:

 

• 900-1200 words in length
• word-processed
• double spaced with one-inch margins on the top and bottom and on both sides.
• page numbers, preceded by your last name, one-half inch from the top of the page and at the right margin (this can be set up in the heading).
• on the left side of the title page, one inch from the top and even with the left margin, put:
• Your name
• My full name
• WRIT 121
• Date (in this format: October 31, 2016)
• Title, two spaces below date, centered.

 

produce coherent expository essays for an adult, college-level audience, you will base your decisions on critical thinking, the writing process, and the following four aspects of effective writing.

Select a focus for analytical purposes (analysis and interpretation of experience, observations, knowledge, and/or reading).

Write thesis statements that clearly express the main point of the essay.

Choose content that shows the audience the validity of the thesis.

Develop each essay with multiple strategies of development (process, narration, classification, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and/or definition).

Write topic sentences that clearly focus each paragraph and support the thesis.

Write paragraphs that show unity of purpose and contain adequate, relevant, and valid details.

Use appropriate primary and secondary resources to provide support for thesis or other assertions.

Use secondary resources in library, especially sources for statistics, periodical on-line databases, and the on-line library catalog.

Incorporate source material by summary, quotation, and paraphrase.

Structure – Organization of essays to fulfill purpose. You will:

Write essays that each include introduction, body and conclusion.

Place thesis statements effectively, based on purpose and audience.

Divide paragraphs purposefully.

Sequence paragraphs logically.

Connect ideas between sentences and between paragraphs.

Style – Choices of words, sentences, and point of view to fulfill purpose. You will:

Select an appropriate point of view.

Choose effective words for tone and levels of usage.

Write clear and concise sentences.

Incorporate and attribute source material smoothly within the text.

Mechanics – Grammar, punctuation, spelling, word errors, MLA. You will:

Write essays with rare disruption from errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, wrong words, and manuscript format.

Cite source material with internal parenthetical references and Works Cited in MLA format.