English assingment

Crotzer 1

Sarah K. Crotzer

ENGL 1020-003

Extra Credit Assignment (Optional)

As part of your sequence of general education requirements here at MTSU, the next class you

take will be ENGL 2030 (Experience of English Literature) or ENGL 2020 (Topics in English

Literature). Either one will require you to read widely and often. You will read short stories,

poems, plays, and probably one novel.

From the standpoint of an English instructor, this is a little bit concerning. Some of you may only

ever read one great, classic novel as a result of this class. It may be the only novel you ever read

in your entire lives. It should be something meaningful and relevant that says something to you

and remains relevant to you throughout your life.

Here in 1020, for your extra credit, you have the opportunity to change reality a little bit. Pretend

that you are the professor (and that you have slightly wider criteria). If you had the opportunity

to expose a college classroom to one novel, film, or album – in other words, one creative piece of

art that tells a story – what would it be and why?

Your extra credit assignment is to write a letter to the Chair of English (Dr. Maria Bachman)

proposing and justifying your choice of artistic work as the centerpiece of an ENGL 2020 class

which you will teach. Dr. Bachman is an extremely intelligent woman, and she is unlikely to be

swayed by your mere opinion (i.e. “I sure do love Taylor Swift’s 1989!”). You will need to back

up your argument with researched evidence, which might include quotations from your primary

source (the actual work you chose), as well as quotes or paraphrasing from secondary sources

(outside reviews, commentary or other articles).

How to start? Consider creating an interest inventory like the one described in your Research

Matters. What topics are important to you? What ideas energize you? What would you want to

pass on to the next generation? Look at the interests you have and think about what

entertainment appeals to you. Does anything stick with you more than a day or two? Have you

ever read or seen something where you immediately wanted to call up all your friends and get

them to read or watch it, too? That’s where you should begin.

Your finished letter should look professional and contain no more than 500 words. It should

also include a Works Cited page documenting any sources you use, including your primary

source. It will be graded holistically (a single letter grade, without rubric) based on how well you

managed to convince your audience of your position using ethos, logos and pathos. Good luck!