Assignments

Quotation worksheet for paragraphs:

Claim: What are you going to talk about in this paragraph?

Introduce: Use transitional phrases to inform your reader that you’re about to use someone else’s words.

Quote: Include words from another source. When you quote someone, you are obligated to represent them accurately. This means avoiding typos and mistakes, and it means providing accurate citations that tell your reader what source provided the words or images.

Interpret: If a quotation can stand on its own, then your reader doesn’t need to read your paper. After using a quotation, explain it to your reader. Put that quotation into your own words, or into a language or discourse that your audience can better understand. Consider starting sentences after quotations with phrases like, “In other words, . . . .”

Analyze: Interpretation translates the original author’s words into a language your audience will understand. Analysis tells your reader why that quotation was so important. It highlights the significance of an author’s word choice, argument, example, or logic. Analysis goes beyond the obvious, telling the reader what they may have missed if they didn’t read closely enough. The things you discuss in your analysis should all be relevant to the argument of your paragraph and essay.

Apply: Each time you use a quotation, make it clear to your reader how it supports your argument. You can do that by applying your analysis to your thesis statement. Remind your reader of your purpose for writing, and tell them how this quotation, and your analysis of it, helps you support your argument.

Sample Quotation/IQIAA:

Claim: What are you going to talk about in this paragraph?

The women’s unique perspective, created by their gender, helps to connect them to each other and to Mrs. Wright.

Introduce: Use transitional phrases to inform your reader that you’re about to use someone else’s words.

Common experiences lead to mutual understanding as Mrs. Peters shows with the simple repetition of the phrase,

“I know what stillness is” (170).

The character is literally saying that she has also had moments of loneliness in her life. However, this is also a moment where Mrs. Peters connects with Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Hale.

It is important to note that when Mrs. Peters says this she steps outside her role of being a proper sheriff’s wife. The repetition of the phrase tells us how important a memory this is for Mrs. Peters. The fact that it is triggered by similarities with Mrs. Wright, tell us that she is empathizing with the woman who murdered her husband. Moreover, we know she connects with Mrs. Hale because we are told that the women “pulled back” (170) after this exchange suggesting they had drawn closer together and then pull away.

As the story progresses shared experiences not only help the women solve the crime, but bond them together to the point where they work as a team to hide the evidence of the murder.

Sample paragraph from IQIAA worsheet:

The women’s unique perspective, created by their gender, helps to connect them to each other and to Mrs. Wright. Common experiences lead to mutual understanding as Mrs. Peters shows with the simple repetition of the phrase, “I know what stillness is” (170). The character is literally saying that she has also had moments of loneliness in her life. However, this is also a moment where Mrs. Peters connects with Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Hale. It is important to note that when Mrs. Peters says this she steps outside her role of being a proper sheriff’s wife. The repetition of the phrase tells us how important a memory this is for Mrs. Peters. The fact that it is triggered by similarities with Mrs. Wright, tell us that she is empathizing with the woman who murdered her husband. Moreover, we know she connects with Mrs. Hale because we are told that the women “pulled back” (170) after this exchange suggesting they had drawn closer together and then pull away. As the story progresses shared experiences not only help the women solve the crime, but bond them together to the point where they work as a team to hide the evidence of the murder.

Essay 3

Due Date: 12/11

Goal: To write a well-organized essay that uses analysis of the text to take a stand and defend your point of view.

In class, we have read and discussed Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers and Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat.” In both short stories a central female protagonist is guilty of murdering her husband. And yet, both texts raise the question of whether or not justice has been served. For this essay you will take a position on this issue and support your opinion.

Essay Question: Pick one of these stories and answer one of the questions below.

It is clear that Mrs. Wright is guilty of murder, an illegal act, but has justice been served? Why do you think so? Take a position and support your answer with examples from the story.
The women in Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers” hide evidence of a murder. Are their actions ethical? Why or why not? Take a position and support your answer with examples from the story.
It is not clear whether Delia could have saved her husband but she lets him walk into the house with the snake and watches him die. Are her actions justifiable? In other words, here I am also asking if at the end justice has been served. Why do you think so? Take a position and support your answer with examples from the story.

Requirements: This paper is to be about 4 pages in length, typed and double-spaced.

Checklist:

Do you have a title that gives a clear indication of what you are discussing?
Did you include a thesis that presents your point of view?
Is the body of the essay typed, double-spaced and in a 12 point font such as Times New Roman, Times or Garamond?
Are your pages numbered?
Did you avoid summarizing the whole text and instead use textual evidence in the form of quotations and paraphrase?
Did you explain and analyze your evidence?
Are your citations presented in MLA style?
Did you staple your paper together?
Did you use spell check?

Graded Group Presentation

Goal: The object of this exercise is to enhance your skills in interpreting literature, critical thinking and argumentative writing. This is also preparation for you next essay.

Directions: For this assignment we will be working with Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers” and Zora Neale Hurston’s “Sweat.” You and your team should do the following:

Decide as a group which story you will work with. And if you choose to work on Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers,” decide whether you will focus on the wife or the two women (Mrs. Hales and Mrs. Peters) who hide evidence of a murder.
Assume that the female character(s) of the story you chose is being tried for murder or accessory to murder after the fact (the charge will depend on who you choose to defend or prosecute).
Decide if you want to defend or prosecute the character or characters you have picked.
Come up with reasons for your position and come up with an overall argument for the court
Do research to help you make your case
Pick moments from the text that will help you make your case; these quotes are the evidence and you must use them, along with your research, to make your case.
Write up a closing statement that summarizes your case. This wrap-up statement will be handed in after your presentation.
Answer any questions your peers might have.

You will have class time to prepare your argument but you must also find a way to collaborate outside of class.

You will present your case as a group (make sure everyone participates in some way

Essay 2: Argumentative Essay

Rough Draft Due: October 25, 2018 (the draft must be brought to class to be considered completed)
Final Draft Due: November 1, 2018
Length: 750 words, minimum

Directions: Write a well-organized argumentative essay that responds to the following essay prompt.

Essay Prompt

In the article, “A Master’s Degree in…Masculinity?” Jessica Bennett talks about a new field of study that focuses on men and the definition of masculinity. She and this emerging field argue that we need to broaden our definition of what it means to be a man because the current definition is too narrow and is having unintended negative consequences on men and society.

Write an essay in which you agree or disagree with this idea. Do you think the definition of what it means to be a man needs to be broadened and rethought? Why or why not?

Your essay must have a thesis that either supports or argues against Bennett’s idea that it is important to rethink how we define masculinity. In making your argument, use details and examples from your personal experience (your own or something you have observed), the readings and/or movie we have done in this section of the class, and at least one outside source.

You must also quote at least once from one of your sources. The quote can come from either an outside source or from one of the articles we read in class.

Note: The outside source must be an article or book found using the library databases.

Basic Features:

A focused, well-presented issue
A well supported position
An effective response to opposing views
A clear, logical organization

Essay 1: Personal Narrative

Rough Draft Due: September 20, 2018 (the draft must be brought to class to be considered completed)
Final Draft Due: September 27, 2018
Length: 750 words, minimum

Directions: Write a well-organized narrative essay about a remembered event.

Essay Prompt

Tell a story about a moment (an interaction, event, or other experience) in your personal history that altered how you felt or thought about yourself, a belief, or the world around you. Why was this moment significant? How were you changed?