Help with hw

Name

Fall 2022

Template for a Short Essay

Introduction/Presentation/Summary:

In the book/article X author Y states that __________________________________________________. Specifically, author Y argues that the perspective/reading/paradigm she uses offers___________________ _____________________________________________________________________________. As the author herself puts it, “_________________________________________________________________.”

Notice how the sentences move down the Ladder of Abstraction from abstract summary to concrete example of exactly what the author Y says. This is the principle to follow in each of the following sections of the template. If you are at the abstract level, move towards the concrete to give an example; if you are at the concrete level, move to talk about the significance of the example.

Expansion through other voices/Counter argument(s):

Although some people believe _______________________________________________________, author Y insists that ________________________________________.

A more nuanced restatement:

In sum, then, Y’s view is that___________________________________________________________.

Introducing your own perspective:

I [agree/disagree/have mixed feelings]. In my view, the type of perspective/paradigm that the author recommends_________________________________________________________________________. For instance, _________________________________. In addition, _____________________________.

Introducing more nuance by presenting a counterargument to your suggestion:

Some might object, of course, on the grounds that ____________________________________________. And they would be right because __________________________________________________________. Yet I would argue that _________________________________________________________________. My position is further supported by ________________________________________________________.

Significance or what it all adds up to in your analysis:

Overall, then, I believe __________________________________________________________________. This is an important point to make given ____________________________________________________.