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essay1prompt_828_sp15.pdf
English 828 ~ Spring 2015
Essay #1: Analyzing Educational Experiences
Background:
As we have seen in the readings for this unit, a student’s background can have a large impact on
his/her academic success. We started this unit with a chapter from Rebecca Cox’s “The College Fear
Factor,” which highlights the fear many students feel about college and the ways they manage those
fears. From the Jonathan Kozol piece, “Still Separate, Still Unequal,” we have come to see that social
and economic forces have a large impact on how our academic paths play out. Yet, based on the
experiences of other writers such as Malcolm X, M. Bella Mirabella, and Adrienne Rich, we have
seen how students have the power to persevere, overcome obstacles, and redefine their
educational experiences.
Your task:
Choose ONE of the following options and respond in a 2.5 - 3 page essay:
1. Identify one specific factor (external or internal), and examine the ways that it can support a student in his/her goals. Use any of the readings from this unit as evidence.
2. Identify one specific factor (external or internal), and examine the ways that it can present obstacles to a student’s goals. Use any of the readings from this unit as evidence.
Examples of external factors:
- home/family
- cultural expectations
- neighborhood
- friends/peer group
- school resources
- social class/economics
Examples of internal factors:
- fear
- self-doubt
- motivation
- discipline
- perseverance/resilience
- hope
Criteria for Success:
A successful essay will accomplish the following:
● Begin with an introduction that orients your reader to your topic. ● Present a focused thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph and maintain
this focus throughout each body paragraph.
● Develop body paragraphs with clear topic sentences that relate to your thesis statement. ● Each body paragraph will include specific examples and explanations that support the topic
sentence.
● Support your points with quotes from the readings. To just say that you either agree or disagree with a point is not enough; show your reader why you hold a particular opinion by citing evidence and then explaining your point of view.
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Helpful hints:
● Remember to keep your readers’ needs in mind. Ask yourself: After reading my essay, will my readers have any unanswered questions? Can I think of anything else they might want
to know?
● While you will likely use your own experience to inform what you write, this is not a personal narrative. Your thesis statement and your points should be an argument about
what affects students in general, not just about what has affected you personally.
● As you proofread, check your topic sentences: Do they support your thesis statement? Check your paragraphs. Do they provide evidence that supports each point (topic
sentence)?
Essay Format:
● Typed and printed in black ink ● Double-spaced ● 12 point standard font (Times New Roman) ● 1" margins all around ● No cover page necessary ● At the top of the first page on the left side, single spaced, put:
Your name
Course and section # (English 828 AC)
Instructor name (L. Kucera)
Essay # 1
Due date (March 2, 2015)
NOTE: You will always turn in one paper copy of your essay AND one copy to Turn It In. There will be a link to Turnitin.com on WebAccess. You don’t have to go to the Turn It In website.
Assignment Date Due In Class
Working Thesis Statement Bring in a 1 - 2 sentence answer to one of the prompt questions
Friday, 2/20
Rough Outline (or “shitty draft”) This should include your thesis statement, 3-4 points, and at least one quote to support each point
Monday, 2/23
Complete, TYPED rough draft for a writing workshop Wednesday, 2/25
Revised Rough Draft (TYPED) Incorporate the suggestions you received from the last class and bring a clean draft. Consider it your best effort-- like a final draft.
Friday, 2/27
Final Draft (submitted electronically on WebAccess AND on paper in a two-pocket folder with the checklist and all other relevant materials)
Monday, 3/2
