henry beston

Think of it as a freewrite/rough draft of the First Thematic Essay (you'll find the materials, explanation, and samples for this assignment under the "Assignments" link and within the content page). To begin, please review/watch the narrated Powerpoint materials and review the sample essays.  This effort should provide you with an overview of the essay's goals and requirements.  

For starters:  let's review the key aspects of this assignment:

· The materials--handout, explanatory powerpoint, and sample essays are available on the content page, under Assignments and also within the weekly schedule.

· Primary focus must relate to one of the assigned authors and readings; the more specific focus (relationship, experience, relevant context or detail, etc.), the better

· 2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced (a bit more is permissible but don't make it a novel)

· Provide a "context" that gives the work additional meaning/significance (see handout)

· Quotes from two outside sources

· Quotes from primary text

· Proper MLA Documentation, including Works Cited Page

To begin:  identify the writer who you've found most interesting and describe the aspects of his/her writing that you find interesting or engaging.  In short, why have you chosen this writer as opposed to the others we've considered so far?  

Next, describe the context you'll bring to a discussion of this writer's work:  what context (historical or biographical detail, impact, influence, or other association) shapes your reading and is worth conveying to others?  Develop this idea in the space of about a paragraph.

Finally, develop your ideas over the course of 2-3 detailed paragraphs, explaining basically how you'll approach this assignment (up to 15 pts.).  You are more than welcome to include additional research if you so choose. In your replies (up to 5 points each), see if you can pose specific questions or offer any clarification that helps a classmate define his/her topic more fully.  

After you post your thread please respond on two of your classmates threads.