Bowie State University, Humanities Bowie State University Born a Crime South African Childhood Argument Essay ESSAY #3– Classical Argument
Essay 3 is a classical argument essay. Your goal is to present a convincing argument on one of the prescribed topics by using outside sources to support your argument. You MUST use the text Born A Crime. Due Dates: Genre/Medium:Exposition/ Typed essay Purpose:The writer of an expository essay uses examples to explain a point and/or topic to the reader. For this assignment you will write an expository essay that follows the seven-paragraph essay format on one of the essay topics listed below.
Format:Your seven-paragraph essay must contain a concrete closed (parallel, three-point) thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph and follow the MLA guidelines. This means that your essay should make use of topic sentences and connectors for your body paragraphs. Such formatting is the foundation of effective communication in writing in the classroom.
Audience:This essay will target a scholarly audience. Therefore, your language and style should meet the intellectual needs of individuals who read on a collegiate level and pique their interests. Remember that you are writing to an audience that consists of classmates and the professor who have are familiar with the topic but bring a different understanding on the topic? Stance/role: What attitude and information (about yourself as a student) will you convey through the analysis essay?Think about what you want to communicate to the reader (i.e., the professor) and convey your stance throughout your essay. Careful wording and sentences will communicate your stance as a serious student, someone who pays attention to details. Sloppy writing will communicate that you are a sloppy student or person.
Use of evidence and reasoned arguments will also communicate your effort on the assignment similarly. Therefore you need to develop your writing using evidence from the film and lay out your analysis in a reasoned manner. Instructions: Outline and Draft a seven-paragraph essay on one of the prompts below. Peer review the essay with your classmates (or take it to the SVWC for tutoring help or use
the Smarthinking resource on Blackboard)
Revise the draft to address their feedback.
Submit final draft and Revision Memo.
Requirements for completing assignment: 1. An Annotated Bibliography of 4 sources A Peer Review (in class) and through an outside source. Final Essay + Revision Memo Directions:
1. Brainstorm and outline: Before choosing your topic you should consider what you want to write about. Once you have chosen your topic, you should decide where you stand on the issue.
2. Research: Next, you want to develop your position with evidence–research–that will validate your point.You will need to use at least 4 sources of support for your essay (one of them will be Born a Crime). To get started on this make use of the library course guide for English 101: http://bowiestate.libguides.com/c.php?g=442209&p=3374097
This research will be written up as an annotated bibliography of 4 secondary sources (one of them will be Born a Crime). Each source should be listed in a standard MLA format and a summary paragraph of it should be provided below. Refer to the model of the annotated bibliography provided. 3. Writing: Present your argument in a way that convinces the reader that your perspective is a valid one. Remember, this essay should have a specific, detailed, three-point thesis statement. It should use topic sentences to anchor each paragraph and research-based exposition to layout the point.
4. Reviewing and editing: You will draft an essay for peer review. To proceed with this process, you must initially do a review in class using the peer review sheets provided and through the Smith Vidal Literacy and Language Center. 5. Finishing up and writing a reflection memo: You will, finally, edit your essay based on the feedback provided by your reviewers and write-up a memo recapping your understanding of the writing process (refer to the model.) Prompts for Essay 3: Classical Argument Essay 1. Noah describes languages in South Africa as a hierarchy, where “English comprehension is equated with intelligence” (p. 54). He explains: “I learned to use language like my mother did . . . It became a tool that served me my whole life” (p. 55). He even asserts that “language, even more than color, defines who you are to people” (p. 56). His points bring up the idea about codeswitching as one moves between communities. Specifically, he seems to say that it was a normal part of his life growing up in South Africa and something that served him well. Apply this insight about codeswitching as one moves across communities in terms of the type of languages students are expected to use in university and academic writing. Write an argumentative essay about whether codeswitching in academic settings is appropriate. You should build your argument using evidence from your own experience, published research, and Born a Crime.