Short Story

This is the short story we will be using for our literary analysis.  Click on the link below: 

"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry

Argument Rough Draft

English Composition I Argument Essay
PURPOSE: Refer pages 67-85 of your Hacker text. This paper will present YOUR side of an issue. There is an example of an argument paper on pages 74-76 of your Hacker text.
TOPIC: Your topic must be approved by me.
SOURCES: Next you must locate information from a minimum of three sources about your topic; you must have information which supports the opposition’s stand as well as information which supports your stand.  ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT COMES FROM YOUR SOURCES, NOT FROM YOUR PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW.
POINT OF VIEW: Use third person point of view for your argument. Your tone in this argumentative essay should be formal and serious.
AUDIENCE: Your audience will be a person of your own age who tends to disagree with your stand on this issue. Anticipate that your reader will ask questions like: Why should I change my mind? Can you prove it? Why should I do it?
THESIS STATEMENT: Include the word (s) must/must not or should/should not in your thesis sentence to produce a firm statement about your side of the issue. The thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction. The thesis statement must have a should/should not or must/must not in it to make it a thesis statement appropriate for a formal argument.
INTRODUCTION: Explain why the topic is controversial. Give any needed background information and definitions. The introduction needs to be one paragraph long. The last sentence in the introduction is to be your thesis statement.
BODY: The first body paragraph is to present information from an opposing viewpoint. Begin the paragraph with an appropriate transition; alert your audience that these points are from an opposing view. The second body paragraph begins your argument. The third body paragraph will be an emotional appeal to the audience. You will have a total of 3 body paragraphs. Which means, this paper will have a total of five paragraphs only.
CONCLUSION: Staying in third person, suggest what the audience can do to help make what you are suggesting happen. Be sure to restate the thesis.
WORKS CITED PAGE: Follow MLA Format. Review the MLA section in your Hacker text.
QUOTES: You will need a minimum of 3 quotes in your paper. You will also have to document where you got those quotes. This means you will be using MLA to cite your sources within the paper. This is called PARENTHETICAL DOCUMENTATION
TITLE: The title of your argumentative essay should clearly indicate your stand.
Point Value: 50
Due Date: April 5 by 11:55 pm via Moodle or April 4 in class as a hard-copy.

Observation assignment:

From your notes, you need to write a detailed observation.
Treat this like a short descriptive story.
Make sure to add LOTS of description – sounds, colors, etc.
Write all the dialogue.
You CAN use first person references.
This is due at the end of class

Compare and Contrast Final Copy

Take the rough draft that was returned to you. Make any changes that you need to make.


Due date: March 4 in the class OR March 4 at 11:55pm via Moodle.


Point Value: 40

Compare and Contrast Rough Draft

You will need to pick one of the topics listed below:

• Learning to ride a bike and learning to drive a car

• Going to the movies and watching a movie at home

• A professional athlete and a famous movie star

• Friends that are girls and friends that are guys

• Two different video games

Audience: Someone who is unfamiliar with these two topics.

Point of View: Stay in third person

Title: Come up with something clever that hints at the ideas you are comparing and contrasting.

Thesis: Make the thesis the final sentence of your introduction.

Introduction Paragraph: Briefly introduce the ideas you are comparing and contrasting. Make sure to also state your purpose.

Body: You will use three paragraphs only. Each of these paragraphs will discuss ONE idea only.

Topic sentences: Make sure that EACH paragraph in your body has a topic sentence.

Conclusion: Restate your purpose and your thesis.

Page 28 of your Hacker text has an example of a comparison and contrast paragraph.

This assignment must be double spaced using Times New Roman 12 point font.

Point Value: 35 points

Due Date: Feb 28 in class or Feb 28 by 11:55pm via Moodle.

Birthplace Assignment

You need to write one long paragraph about your birthplace. You will need to use at least 3 quotes and have a minimum of 3 sources. You must include a Works Cited page.


You can include information about the town, tourist attractions, information about the hospital, population info, famous people from that place, and any other information you can think of.

Point value: 35

Due date: Monday, February 21 in class OR Monday, February 21 via Moodle at 11:55pm.

Re-learning MLA

MLA

For this assignment you need to write one long paragraph about a famous musician.

You will need to use in-text citations. You must have at least 3 in your essay.

You will need to include a Works Cited page. You must have at least 3 sources.

Please use your Hacker text and/or the Internet for help with this assignment. Page 412 in your Hacker text has an example of a Works Cited page.

Due Date:  Feb 14 via Moodle  at 11:55pm OR Feb 14 at the start of our class
 
Point value:  35