English
131, September.
2010 Assignment 1 (Barry)
Write a synthesis essay based on
readings in Behrens and Rosen’s Writing
and Reading across the Curriculum. 3-4 pages. Pick either Chapter 7 (Workplace), Chapter 9 (Marriage
and Family) or Chapter 10 (Sleep). The thesis of your essay does not
necessarily need to take a stand on the central issue discussed in the chapter
(such as “Adolescents’ lives must be reorganized so that they can get more
sleep,” or “Nuclear families should be subsidized and supported in every way
possible”), but that is one option. I will discuss in class ways that an essay
can have a thesis that does not necessarily fit a pro-and-con style of
argument. You still must inform or persuade your readers of something. As for
audience: think of your readers as thinking people like yourselves, who read
essays, but who have not read the essays that you have.
Use of sources from outside the
book is optional. If you choose to search for them, consider looking at a
longer-than-three page essay in an intelligent but non-specialized periodical,
such as New York Times Magazine,
Your essay can give prominent place to
your own voice and arguments. But be sure to make considerable use of the
readings. Both paraphrasing and quoting the readings are appropriate, and you
should give credit to the author. Of course, you need not agree with the
sources that you make use of. Your essay should refer to a minimum of two of
the (longer) source essays, and more, if they fit your essay's purpose. Read
them all--the whole chapter. If you refer to only two, I will look at your
reading notes to be sure that you read the rest.
If possible, your essay should
feature development, so that your paragraphs are not interchangeable, and so
that your conclusion is not simply a repetition of your introduction. It may
include some recounting and reconsideration of the definitions of key terms in
the debate (either your definition, or one of those provided by one of your
sources). Furthermore, it may include an attempt to forestall an opposing
opinion. It should examine value judgments implicit in the source essays. It
may use statistics, but such use is not required. It may also include stories
about your own experiences, or stages through which your thinking on this issue
has progressed.
Turn in reading notes with your
final essay, unless they are in the margin of your book. I will check for written evidence of progress toward a completed essay
on every class day until the essay is due. Your essay should also have a
Works Cited page, which should include the Behrens and Rosen book as one of its
entries. Give the individual readings their own entries, and arrange
alphabetically.
Due date: Sept. 27. First draft is due 9/22. About half of the grade will be based on process steps.