Essay Assignment 1: Character Evolution
Most of the essay assignments in this course are centered around a thesis statement, which you may remember from the lesson is a personal, debatable claim that should appear in a single statement at the end of your introduction paragraph (please underline them). Then, each of your body paragraphs is constructed to serve as support in proving your thesis. Let's get started!
Topic and Structure:
Character Evolution - Explain how a character from a novel, film, television show, or another medium of your choice evolves-either good or bad-from the beginning to the end of the story.
Your introduction will provide a brief synopsis of the story and then smoothly transition into the last sentence of your introduction-the thesis statement. Next, you will develop at least three body paragraphs, each dedicated to one example (such as a scene) in your chosen medium that serves as support for your thesis claim. Finally, you will compile a conclusion paragraph that synthesizes your findings.
Creating the thesis statement:
Is your argument focused and meaningful in a way that it also offers a clear-cut, but debatable point of view, which a reader might either agree or disagree with? Avoid claims that are too obvious to the readers-offer them a new idea! Remember, a thesis also serves as a map for your essay, providing a promise of subtopics you will discuss in your body paragraphs in the order in which they appear in your essay.
Sample thesis statement: In The Midnight's Shadow, Charles Bellingham begins as a lonely, self-loathing candle maker, but after he meets Miss Charmaine, begins working for the king, and takes an understudy, he transforms into a confident man who sees the townspeople and the kingdom as a friendly and prosperous community.
Developing the body paragraphs:
The way you present your supporting evidence is just as important as the evidence itself. When you create a body paragraph with the goal of supporting a claim in your thesis, you want to include a balance of research and/or examples with original material. In other words, original material refers to discussions you develop that help explain the connection between your research and/or examples and your thesis claim. You don't want to assume that your research and/or examples are enough to prove your thesis-you want to inform your reader how and why cited material serves the purpose you intend.
Therefore, begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that affirms your opinion. A topic sentence for the first body paragraph in a paper with the thesis from above might say, "Miss Charmaine, ever so charming in her ways, bumps into a scowling Mr. Bellingham, only to annoy him further, but as he slowly raises his gaze to evaluate the source of this unpleasantry, he is rather surprised to see a such a lovely creature affectionately maintaining his stare, eliciting an intrigue that serves as the first defining moment in Charles' positive transformation." Next, follow up the topic sentence with more about this scene that serves as the defining moment. Then, spend significant time explaining how the events you just discussed prove your thesis. Finally, end the paragraph with a concluding sentence that synthesizes your efforts.
Compiling the conclusion:
Lastly, compile a conclusion paragraph that summarizes your findings in a new manner, using fresh language and perspective. Make sure to work in a restatement of your thesis statement (but not a repetitive version) as well as any other relevant ideas you present in the essay. You want your conclusion to read like new information but without actually presenting new arguments. In sum, synthesize instead of summarize.
Notes
• When you refer to events in your chosen medium, use literary present.
• Review the course sample essay for this assignment via the link on this page, but be sure not to copy the sample ideas.
Format Requirements:
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Character Evolution)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.
Essay Assignment 2: Descriptive Paragraph
Topic and Structure:
Outdoor Experience Description - Detail a real or imaginary experience walking through an outdoor event or activity, such as a zoo, open-air market, festival, etc.
You only need to develop one paragraph for this assignment, but it should include many sensory details and directional transitions. Start with a topic sentence, which will also serve as the thesis statement, that explains the exhibition you are experiencing as well as mentions how the adventure ignites your senses. In the sentences following, describe your journey. What do you see? Hear? Feel? Smell? Taste? Where are these experiences located (directional transitions)? To the right? Just above? The reader should be able to build the environment around you and take part in the sensory experience you illustrate as he or she reads along, so be as descriptive as necessary, touching upon all five senses within the body paragraph. Finally, complete your paragraph with a concluding sentence that summarizes your outing, and make sure it has a point! In other words, what did you take away from this excursion?
Sample thesis statement: As I walk toward the Brookfield Zoo entrance gate for my first zoo experience, I notice a flurry of lively activity in front of me, so on my way to the gorilla den, I can feel my excitement building, and as I get closer, the sounds and smells strengthen, making the chill of my cold beverage much more apparent; I hope I am ready for this.
Notes
• You can use either past or present tense verbs to describe your experience in this assignment, but avoid unnecessary tense shifts.
• In addition to directional transitions, be sure to use standard transitions between sentences where applicable so that your ideas are fluid from start to finish.
Format Requirements:
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Length: This assignment should be at least 15 sentences in a single paragraph.
Essay Assignment 3: Annotated Bibliography
Topic and Structure:
Annotated Bibliography - Review four potential sources for your research paper project (you should already have your research essay topic chosen), and select two to explore further, with at least one qualifying as a periodical.
Here are some possible places to search for credible sources:
• Internet Public Library Link.
• Truman State University's Pickler Memorial Library (this source lists periodical databases only, so you may choose your periodical here): Link.
• Google Scholar (note that this is different from regular Google): Link.
• Microsoft Academic Search: Link.
• Cornell University's arXiv (open access sources in math, biology, physics, and other fields): Link.
• Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE): Link.
• Your local library
This assignment does not follow the standard introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion format; instead, you will simply create three well-developed paragraphs per source, each with a specific objective, for six paragraphs total. For each of your two chosen resources, you will summarize the material, assess the source's content, and reflect on its value for your research paper project. Some sources are long and contain main ideas and subtopics, so be sure to focus your assignment on ideas that are relevant to your research paper topic. Learn more about summarizing, assessing, and reflecting here.
This essay also requires a particular format in which you will summarize, assess, and reflect on one source in full before you move to the next one. See the sample here under "Sample MLA Annotation" for format details.
Notes
• Make the title of your annotated bibliography your research paper project's topic.
• On the line under your title, but left-aligned on the page, include your proposed research essay's thesis so that graders can provide some preliminary feedback.
Format Requirements:
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Length: This assignment should have three full paragraphs per two sources for a total of six paragraphs, with at least 500 words minimum overall.
Essay Assignment 4: Compare/Contrast Essay
Topic and Structure:
Compare/Contrast Essay - Choose one topic provided in these instructions to compare and/or contrast.
The table below provides an extensive list of topic options from which you must select, and we recommend that you choose one from below that you are interested in beyond this course. For instance, if you are a Finance or Business major, you might be interested in the Dividends v. Capital Gains topic. If you are a Science major, you might choose Hybrid Seeds v. GMO Seeds. Or perhaps you're taking StraighterLine's Survey of World History course, in which case you might opt to research the similarities and differences between the United States and the Roman Empire. You will use at least two credible sources to support your claims, and remember, you must include your sources throughout the body paragraphs of your essay in a mix of cited quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. Both the support and research portions of the rubric will be negatively affected if you do not integrate your researched data.
• Rosa Parks vs. Harriett Tubman
• Treaties vs. Executive Agreements
• Roman Empire vs. United States
• Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" vs. Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken"
• Verbal vs. Nonverbal Communication
• Old Testament vs. New Testament
• Leonardo di Vinci vs. Michelangelo
• Apple Ipad vs. Microsoft Surface
• Dividends vs. Capital Gains
• Marxism vs. Socialism
• Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox
• Jazz vs. Blues
• String Instruments vs. Wind Instruments
• Amphibians vs. Reptiles
• Charles Darwin vs. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
• Solar Power vs. Wind Power
• Hybrid Seeds vs. GMO Seeds
• Public School vs. Home School
Write an essay comparing or contrasting the two topics in your selection using EITHER the point-by-point OR the subject-by-subject method to organize the details and specific examples. Consider focusing on three to five subtopics and generate ideas through prewriting. Develop a strong thesis statement for your essay that includes your two topics from the list above; your three to five subtopics; and a claim about how they are similar, different, or both.
Sample Thesis Statements:
If you will argue that your two topics are mostly similar:
Topic A and Topic B share many similar characteristics, including (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3); while they differ in (Additional supporting point), the similarities greatly outweigh the differences.
OR
If you will argue that your two topics are mostly different:
While Topic A and Topic B have (Additional supporting point) in common, they are mostly quite different; in fact, they differ in characteristics such as (Supporting point 1), (Supporting point 2), and (Supporting point 3).
OR
If you will argue that your two topics have many important/interesting similarities and differences:
Analyzing Topic A and Topic B reveals many fascinating similarities as well as differences; for instance, they share (Supporting point 1) and (Supporting point 1), but are vastly different when it comes to (Supporting point 3) and (Supporting point 4).
Tips
To brainstorm, you might consider using a Venn diagram or a simple list to show what your topics have in common and how they differ. Then you can select the most prominent or interesting characteristics that you want to highlight in your paper.
Be sure to avoid beginning your comparisons or contrasts in the introduction. Your thesis is the only place in the introduction where you will include this information. Use the introduction to get your reader's attention, and consider using a good strategy that leads into the topic. For instance, you might relate a short anecdote to illustrate your topic, an interesting quotation that relates to your topic, or perhaps a surprising statistic that reveals something about your topic.
Then, in the body paragraphs remember to support your claim(s) outlined in the thesis. For instance, if one of your points says the city and the country are different in terms of transportation, be sure the topic sentence of one body paragraph presents a similar statement. In addition, spend equal time on each subtopic in each body paragraph, and one way to develop organized body paragraphs is to focus on one topic before moving to the next one so that the paragraph support is split 50/50. In other words, using the example above, you would explain the transportation options in the city in full, and then, you would detail the types of contrasting transportation in the country. End each body paragraph with a strong concluding sentence that synthesizes that paragraph's discussions.
The conclusion should sum up the specific supporting points as well as your overall assessment of why these points are important. Consider what kinds of interesting or new conclusions you can draw from your comparison. In other words, your essay must reveal why your comparison is important. A well-developed paragraph often contains a minimum of five sentences. Note that any of the main sections below labeled with Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV) could be more than just a single paragraph.
Point-by-Point
I. Introduction
A. Thesis
B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader's attention
II. Supporting point 1
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
III. Supporting point 2
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
IV. Supporting point 3
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
V. Supporting point 4 or Additional point
A. Topic 1
B. Topic 2
VI. Conclusion
A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction)
B. Give your overall assessment-the "so what" factor-about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood?
Subject-by-Subject
I. Introduction
A. Thesis
B. Additional information to introduce your topic and gain the reader's attention
II. Topic 1
A. Supporting point 1
B. Supporting point 2
C. Supporting point 3
D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point
III. Topic 2
A. Supporting point 1
B. Supporting point 2
C. Supporting point 3
D. Supporting point 4 or Additional point
V. Conclusion
A. Reiterate your thesis (but do not simply restate it from the introduction)
B. Give your overall assessment-the "so what" factor-about your topic. For instance, is one topic better than the other for some reason? Is one topic misunderstood?
Here's an example of how you might organize using these methods for an essay about cats versus dogs as pets (remember, this topic is not one of the options for this essay).
Point-by-Point
I. Introduction
A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness.
II. Subtopic 1: Noise level
A. Topic 1: Cats are quiet
B. Topic 2: Dogs can be noisy
III. Subtopic 2: Exercise
A. Topic 1: Cats do not have to be walked
B. Topic 2: Dogs require exercise
IV. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
A. Topic 1: Cats groom themselves
B. Topic 2: Dogs need to be bathed
V. Conclusion
Subject-by-Subject
I. Introduction
A. Thesis: While cats and dogs are both clear winners when it comes to pet choices, these animals are vastly different when it comes to noise level, exercise needs, and cleanliness.
II. Topic 1: Cats
A. Subtopic 1: Noise level
B. Subtopic 2: Exercise
C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
III. Topic 2: Dogs
A. Subtopic 1: Noise level
B. Subtopic 2: Exercise
C. Subtopic 3: Cleanliness
IV. Conclusion
Format Requirements:
Remember to apply the concepts you're learning in the course, including elements of grammar, punctuation, thesis development, and other skills.
Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.
Sources: You need a bare minimum of two credible sources for this assignment.
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Essay Assignment 5: Personal Narrative
Topic and Structure:
Multimodal Personal Narrative - Develop a multimodal document to both visually illustrate and verbally express a personal transformation.
Use a one-page newspaper or single-panel brochure format to present a personal narration of a transformation of your choice from a point in your childhood to today. You might discuss a career aspiration you had as a child, transition to the job you held as a teenager, and lastly, explain the profession you maintain today. Use connecting ideas to ensure you have a cohesive essay, which will ultimately (in the conclusion) explain what you learned from this transformation. For example, how and why did you go from point A (job 1) to point B (job 2) and then on to point C (job 3)? Or, you might consider illustrating a transformation based on a way of life or philosophy.
Implement three photos to represent your ideas, feelings, etc., at the three focal points in your life. You may use personal photos, clip art, or other images, but be sure you use and/or attribute the them appropriately. For example, you are free to use your personal photos as you'd like, but make sure to choose clip art or other images that you either have permission to use freely or that you cite adequately. Equally consider your document's layout, such as text sizes, photo placement (near the related essay text), and colors, in addition to how you present your content, to include thesis, support, and organization.
Sample thesis statement: Growing up in Sedona, Arizona, I was constantly looking up into the clear night sky, viewing multiple constellations and shimmering stars, which had me yearning to reach them-literally-so when I turned 16, I began working as a camp counselor at a space camp, which ultimately led to a career at NASA; my journey taught me that if I reached for the stars, nothing could stop me.
Format Requirements:
While you do not need to follow standard MLA format for this assignment, be sure to still include your name, the course title, assignment name, and date within your submission as part of the newspaper or brochure.
Example format:
Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words.
Essay Assignment 6: Persuasive Letter
Topic and Structure:
Personal Letter - Construct a letter focused on persuading the reader to change his or her stance or opinion.
Think about a personal opinion you hold in which someone close to you (friend, family member, etc.) disagrees. Appeal to your reader in an emotional manner using appropriate language and strategies such as motivation, inspiration, etc., to write a personal, passionate letter in an effort to get your reader to agree with your perspective. Kindly play off the reader's emotions to draw him or her into your argument. Make sure your appeals are legitimate and straightforward so that you avoid using logical fallacies in your efforts.
Use letter format, provided at the end of these instructions, and begin with an introduction that explains your topic. Make a fluid transition into the thesis where you issue your opinion as well as three reasons that support your claim. Present and argue each of the three reasons in three separate body paragraphs. Finish with a conclusion that summarizes your appeals and makes one final effort to sway your reader.
Sample Thesis Statement: Therefore, Carol, my dear friend, please reconsider homeschooling your children because this approach can stunt a child's social development; it tends to be subpar to nationally recognized curriculum, ultimately becoming a hindrance to college acceptance; and lastly, the chosen teacher, whether that ends up being you or another qualified instructor, will not have the resources that public-school teachers have available to continuously enhance and advance instruction.
Format Requirements:
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Length: This assignment should be at least 750 words.
Essay Assignment 7: Argumentative Essay
Topic and Structure:
Argumentative Essay - Choose one of two topics provided in these instructions to develop an argumentative essay. You must choose one of the topics listed.
Option #1: Does Technology Promote Loneliness?
Develop a thesis statement built upon whether or not technology promotes loneliness. You should focus on either one form of hardware or one type of software. For example, you could target cell phones or laptops. If you want to look more into software, you could narrow your discussions to one type of social media or one gaming app. These are just a handful of a vast array of options you could choose.
Develop at least three strong arguments in addition to a counterargument and refutation (this resource can assist you in developing the counterargument and refutation). This organization should yield four body paragraphs. Using argumentative topic sentences that include your opinion for each section can help ensure the majority of your essay is argumentative. The beginning of a sample topic sentence might be, "First, Facebook does not promote loneliness because...." Then, be sure to support that claim with a point or two of researched data, followed by mostly original material that helps to explain how your research supports your claims as well as provides new insights and perspectives. Conclude each paragraph with a sentence that synthesizes the paragraph's main ideas.
Sample Thesis Statement: Social media, particularly Facebook, does not promote loneliness because (add argument 1), (add argument 2), and (add argument 3), even though (add counterargument focus). *Note that a thorough thesis statement will include the counterargument in addition to your own arguments, but be sure to frame your counterargument as the opposition's opinion so that readers do not think that you are changing your stance.
See The Top Ten Tips for College-Level Writing (Presentation) for more thesis statement assistance.
Use at least three credible sources (the author should be considered an expert on the topic in which he or she writes), such as books, articles, and websites, to support your claims. Include a mix of cited paraphrases, summaries, and quotes in your argumentative research paper. Use MLA format (Tip: You will find useful MLA resources within the course topics, particularly in Topic 9) to create proper parenthetical citations as well as a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. For additional Works Cited assistance visit the OWL Purdue website and use the left navigation menu to locate the type of reference you need.
Option #2: Is Citizen Privacy or National Security More Important?
Develop a thesis statement focused on determining if citizen privacy or national security is more important. You can choose any country or region. Your chosen topic needs to be specific and might address a question like the ones you see in these examples:
• Should officials make citizens' privacy more of a priority than national security? Why or why not?
• Is national security likely to pose a risk for citizen privacy? Why or why not?
• You may choose another topic regarding the relationship between citizen privacy and national security as well; just be sure that your main thesis addresses the association between these two ideas.
Develop at least three strong arguments in addition to a counterargument and refutation (this resource can assist you in developing the counterargument and refutation). This organization should yield four body paragraphs. Using argumentative topic sentences that include your opinion for each section can help ensure the majority of your essay is argumentative. The beginning of a sample topic sentence might be, "Primarily, exceptional national security is likely to reduce citizen privacy because...." Then, be sure to support that claim with a point or two of researched data, followed by mostly original material that helps to explain how your research supports your claims as well as provides new insights and perspectives. Conclude each paragraph with a sentence that synthesizes the paragraph's main ideas.
Sample Thesis Statement: Ideally, a thesis would include the major assignment objectives for the essay, which in this case would be your claim/opinion, reasons why you have that opinion, and the counterargument: Implementing national security measures could lead to citizen privacy dilemmas because (add argument 1), (add argument 2), and (add argument 3), even though (add counterargument focus). *Note that a thorough thesis statement will include the counterargument in addition to your own arguments, but be sure to frame your counterargument as the opposition's opinion so that readers do not think that you are changing your stance.
Use at least three credible sources (the author should be considered an expert on the topic in which he or she writes), such as books, articles, and websites, to support your claims. Include a mix of cited paraphrases, summaries, and quotes in your argumentative research paper. Use MLA format (Tip: You will find useful MLA resources within the course topics, particularly in Topic 9) to create proper parenthetical citations as well as a Works Cited page at the end of your essay. For additional Works Cited assistance visit the OWL Purdue website and use the left navigation menu to locate the type of reference you need.
Format Requirements:
Header: Include a header in the upper left-hand corner of your writing assignment with the following information:
• Your first and last name
• Course Title (Composition I)
• Assignment name (Comparison and Contrast)
• Current Date
Page Layout:
• MLA style documentation (please see the tutorial in the course topic)
• Last name and page number in upper-right corner of each page
• Double-spacing throughout
• Title, centered after heading
• Standard font (Times New Roman or Calibri)
• 1" margins on all sides
• Save the file as .docx or .doc format
Length: This assignment should be at least 750 words.