Objectives
For this exam, the student will
- Use the writing process to draft and revise an essay
- Write an effective thesis statement
- Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions.
- Identify, define, and analyze literary elements
- Use responsible research methods to locate appropriate secondary sources
- Use Modern Language Association citation and documentation style to reference secondary source material correctly and appropriately
- Quote, paraphrase, and summarize secondary source material correctly and appropriately
- Use the conventions of standard written American English to produce correct, well-written essays
Topic
You'll develop your essay based on the prewriting from the previous assignment. Do not switch topics; use your instructor's feedback from your prewriting to refine your ideas and write your essay.
Purpose
In a 1,200-1,500 word essay, analyze the impact and influence a song has in a contemporary context based on its literary devices and cultural references.
Audience
Distance-education students enrolled at Penn Foster College
Process
Draft your essay using your prewriting and the feedback you received from your instructor to develop your thesis statement. Provide evidence from the song itself to prove your claims about the meaning, significance, and popularity of your song. Incorporate elements of your research to support your assertions.
Revising
Revise in two stages. First, on a global level, read through your paper to make sure that your main points support your thesis and that you're satisfied with the order in which you've presented them. Have you made an effective argument about your song's influence? Have you used your secondary sources effectively? Finally, ensure that all your borrowed information is cited accurately.
Second, edit and proofread your essay carefully. Run a spell check and a grammar check, and then read your paper to check for errors in usage and punctuation.
Finally, revise your annotated bibliography according to the instructor's feedback. Prepare the final draft of this research paper according to
the exam submission format assigned in the introductory instructions of this guide. Be sure the paper itself meets the word-count requirements. Place all required work in the same document, beginning a new page for each part:
- The lyrics for the song, your reasons for choosing it, and the source information
- The actual research paper
- MLA works-cited page (three sources used in the paper- the song and two research sources)
- Annotated MLA bibliography of five research sources For this examination, submit the required work as instructed to Penn Foster College.