5 Page essay for my College english 1 class
the procaster
Don’t Panic: A Guide to Planning and Composing a Thesis for Essay #3
Let’s start with an example:
While the opinions of those such as social justice leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X differ when it comes to the justifiability of rioting, these seemingly opposing perspectives share common ground. Although these perspectives understand the violence of rioting and its effectiveness differently, both understand rioting not as purposeless chaos, but as a direct response to oppression.
How do we get to this point? Chances are you will not be able to write something like this without some planning. Follow these steps:
Think about the different perspectives on rioting we have encountered thus far. If you were to categorize them, you could probably classify them according to three categories:
-‐ Those who see rioting as a justifiable action
-‐ Those who see rioting as never justifiable
-‐ Those who fall somewhere in the middle, criticizing the violence of riots but noting the legitimacy of their causes.
Choose two of these perspectives to talk about. For the sake of example, lets say I choose the following two:
-‐ Perspective 1:Those who see rioting as a justifiable action
-‐ Perspective 2: Those who fall somewhere in the middle, criticizing the violence of riots but noting the legitimacy of their causes.
Now, I need to think critically about the similarities and differences of these two perspectives. This will require me to think critically about what we have read in class, and it may require that I review some of the readings we have not discussed. After doing this, note some of the people/authors who express the two perspectives you have chosen.
-‐Perspective 1: Malcolm X, Paul Parker, Katie Miller
-‐Perspective 2: Maxine Waters, President Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr.
Think about what generally makes these perspectives similar and different. After doing so, I reach the following general conclusions:
-‐ The perspectives I am analyzing can never agree about the justifiability of rioting. P1 sees violence and crime as justifiable ways of protest while P2 sees these as ineffective in bringing social change. -‐ The perspectives I am analyzing do agree on what causes riots: social oppression. They do not think that riots are instances of random violence.
Try to produce a sentence such as the following that generally captures these listed similarities and differences of the two perspectives you have chosen:
While people often disagree about the justifiability of rioting, these different opinions often do agree that riots are not meaningless, random violence. Rather, they are the result of social oppression.
In order to make your thesis more concrete insert some of the people already
identified in Step 3 into this working sentence. You are using them as examples of the sort of people who adopt the perspectives you have chosen to analyze.
While people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X often disagree about the justifiability of rioting, these different opinions often do agree that riots are not meaningless, random violence. Rather, they are the result of social oppression.
The above thesis responds directly to the prompt, so you are basically there! However, continue to refine your thesis. Make sure that it is clear that your paper is NOT about the people you have included in your thesis, but instead about the perspectives they hold.
While the opinions of those such as social justice leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X differ when it comes to the justifiability of rioting, these seemingly opposing perspectives share common ground. Although these perspectives understand the violence of rioting and its effectiveness differently, both understand rioting not as purposeless chaos, but as a direct response to oppression.
NOTE: The words highlighted in blue are inserted into the thesis to signal to the reader that you are not focusing on MLK and Malcolm X, but instead on the opinions they represent.
Now that you have developed your working thesis, you can begin envisioning how you will structure your paper. To do this, complete the following steps.
1] Look at your thesis. In what order do you introduce the similarities and differences of your two perspectives. Identify the words that signal similarity and difference.
While the opinions of those such as social justice leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X differ when it comes to the justifiability of rioting, these seemingly opposing perspectives share common ground. Although these perspectives understand the violence of rioting and its effectiveness differently, both understand rioting not as purposeless chaos, but as a direct response to oppression.
-‐ DIFFERENCES FIRST, THEN SIMILARITIES 2] Refer to the 3 focus points on the prompt: the concept of rioting, its causes, and ultimately its effectiveness as a tool of social change. Determine the similarities and differences between your two perspectives based on these points.
-‐ They disagree about the idea that riots are effective as a tool of social change. -‐ They agree on the causes of a riot.
-‐ They agree on the concept of a riot (i.e. what a riot is; the definition of a riot).
Use the list you have created to compose a very general outline of your paper.
-‐ Point #1: Difference [justifiability/effectiveness as a tool of social change]
-‐ Point #2: Similarity [causes of a riot]
-‐ Point #3: Similarity [concept of a riot]
We can now see that the paper we are going to write will have roughly three parts.
Begin moving from general points to specific assertions.
Point #1: Difference [justifiability/effectiveness as a tool of social change]
ASSERTION #1: Disagreement about the justifiability of rioting often emerges out of differing opinions regarding its effectiveness as a tool of social change.
Point #2: Similarity [causes of a riot]
ASSERTION #2: Despite these disagreements regarding their justifiability, these perspectives are often connected in that they see riots not as purposeless chaos, but a direct response to social ills.
Point #3: Similarity [concept of a riot]
ASSERTION #3: Because of this common belief in the causes of a riot, these perspectives, though disagreeing about their ability to effect change, understand the concept of a riot similarly.
5] Keep in mind that the above plan does not mean you will only have 3 body paragraphs. You will most likely need about 2 paragraphs for each of your points. At this point, you are only planning the general ideas you will incorporate into your paper.
Once you have completed the above, you are ready to write an AEC chart!
Aside from issues of identity and territory, Smith’s docu-drama also explores the multiple perspectives toward riots and other forms of violent uprising. While many argue that the causes of riots are NOT unclear, these “cyclical eruptions” are often characterized as nothing more than random violence, often stemming from no particular cause. Additionally, there are those such as Martin Luther King Jr. who understand riots as the result of prolonged social injustice, yet also condemns this violent mode of protest.
There are other factors to consider as well – something that Smith’s “War Zone” effectively sheds light on: the human experience of individuals on the street who live through these momentous events and are often caught in the crosshairs.These people are casualties of war. Consider, for example, how two shop owners both lose their livelihoods when their shops are looted and then set ablaze; or how a truck driver on the job nearly lost his life while simply driving through an intersection; or how an innocent woman nearly lost her life and her daughters from a stray bullet, etc. These are members of the unheard who bear the brunt of the message.
Purpose: In a well-supported essay (4-5 pages; not to exceed 6), you will analyze (using a methodology of comparing and contrasting) at least TWO different perspectives on the justifiability (or lack thereof) of riots/rioting. To do this, you will need to consider how these perspectives understand/discuss the concept of rioting, its causes and effects, and ultimately its effectiveness as a tool of social change.
Research Requirement: For this essay you will use Anna D. Smith’s Twilight Los Angeles 1992 along with any of the other texts we’re reading together. Because of time constraints, we have not been able to engage in an exhaustive study of every perspective on rioting. Thus, I ask that you include 1-2 additional sources. In total, your paper should be engaging with at least 4-5 sources (at least 1 outside source + Twilight LA + 2 of our other class reading assignments).
Due: Due dates for the outline, rough draft [**missing peer review workshop will result in a 10% reduction of your final draft grade], revised draft, and final draft are listed on the course schedule.
Required Format: Essays must be typed, 4-5 full pages in length, and follow strict MLA guidelines for formatting the paper: double-spaced, 1” margins on the top, bottom, and sides, and 12 point, Times New Roman font.
Audience: An academic audience of your peers that has critically studied the texts we have read and discussed in class.
Evaluation Criteria:
A clear thesis that describes the perspectives you will analyze and provides an overview of how they differ.
Well-organized paragraphs that clearly connect to and support the thesis.
Each body paragraph includes a clear topic sentencethat supports the thesis; one topic/idea per paragraph.
Each body paragraph includes sufficient and specific examples from our class readings and outside sources.
Each body paragraph incudes sufficient discussion of the examples/quotations/paraphrases provided.
Includes effective transitions (words/clauses) between different parts of the essay that provide unity.
An engaging introduction that provides necessary context.
An insightful conclusion that reiterates the thesis without overt repetition.
A creative title that is both informative and unique (not “Essay 3”).
Well-edited and proofread sentences in academic discourse that reveal good writing ethos.
Essay maintains a consistent voice and reflects a mature, college-level style.
Sufficient content (at least 4-5 pages) and proper MLA formatting.
Final Note: Please see me if you have any questions, and please be sure to use all resources that are available to you, including your fellow classmates during and after the peer review, and the Success Center tutors. This third essay is worth 20% of your overall grade, so give it your best effort.
Strategy:
1. Find three or four elements from the texts upon which to base your comparison.
2. Examine possible connections and determine a thesis.
3. Base your outline around the elements you’ve chosen, remembering to give equal coverage to each side.
USING THE FOLLOWING READINGS TO WRITE THE ESSAY!!!
Ferguson: In Defense of Rioting – Cunha
Rioting, Insurrection, Civil Disobedience – Conant
The Other America – King Video of King Speech
OTHER READINGS/RESOURCES for ESSAY #3
Smashing Police Cars is a Legitimate Strategy – Hart Ferguson Address – Obama
The Ferguson Riots Were Not ‘Justified’ – Luciano
Vandalism and looting won’t bring about change – Marshall
11 years ago
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