English 2230 - Fall 2004 Essay - Unassigned Volume A Writer

English 2230 / Fall 2004

Essay Assignment

After Exam #1, we won't be quite done with Volume A. I picked some writers, and we voted on some writers, but there are a lot of writers and texts left over. For this essay, I want you to pick another writer from Volume A (List A) who was not assigned for our first unit, and then read, think, and then write about this writer, his/her text(s), and how the text(s) connect(s) to two other writers whom we read (one from List B and one from List C). Library and/or internet research is not required or expected or even recommended; I'm much more interested in what you think about the writer and her/his text(s), in your responses, analysis, and synthesis.

Make your pick based on your personal interests. (Click here to find more information about each writer in Volume A.) Begin by reading the introductory headnote about your chosen writer. Then, read through the text(s) a first time, just to get to know what's going on. Next, read through the text(s) a second time, this time making notes about your personal responses -- e.g. How does the text make you feel? What does the text remind you of or make you think about? When you read through the text a third time, "analyze" it -- i.e. make notes about what "features" are important in the text, how the text "works," what the text "does" or what meant to do. Finally, read through the text a fourth time, this time making notes about how this text "relates to" some of the other writers we've read (one from List B and one from List C).

When you begin to plan and write your essay, follow closely the "Paper Structure" outline given below so that you include everything that's necessary -- use the "bullets" as guides to get you thinking and writing; you do not have to include every bullet item. In essence, you will begin by briefly introducing your chosen writer to your readers (your peers in this course) and summarizing his/her text(s). Then, you will want to share some of your important personal responses and discoveries that you made when you were analyzing the text(s). Next, you will want to establish how this writer is similar to and different from two (2) other Volume A writers, one from List B and one from List C. Finally, you will want to wrap up your paper by reflecting on your reading of this writer and possibly recommending to others whether or not to read him or her.

List A (Unassigned Writers):

Native Americans (Trickster Tales) -- I'd suggest the Winnebago tales (9 pages)
Bradford -- I'd suggest beginning on page 166 (Chapter IX); read about 10 pages
Morton, Thomas -- read all 9 pages
Winthrop -- read either the sermon ("A Model") or the journal
Williams -- read all 12 pages
Steendam -- read all 10 pages
Van Der Donck -- read all 7 pages
Wigglesworth -- read about 10 pages of the poem
Rowlandson -- read about 10 pages; at least the first section and the first and twentieth removes
Pastorious -- read all 5 pages
Mather -- read one of the three main sections
Knight -- read all 11 pages
Byrd -- read either the diary or the history
Edwards -- read either "Personal Narrative" or "Sinners"
Woolman -- read either the journal or "Some Considerations..."
Grainger -- read about 10 pages of the poem
Occom -- read all 7 pages
Bon Saam -- read all 5 pages
Crevecoeur -- I'd suggest Letter III, or IX, or XII
Stockton -- read all 6 poems
Jefferson -- read either the autobiography or the Notes
The Federalist -- read all 9 pages
Equiano -- read about 10 pages; at least the first two chapters
Murray -- read all 9 pages
Tyler -- the play is about 40 pages long (10 pages might not be enough)
Hammon -- read all 5 pages
Brown -- read all 11 pages

List B (Writers Scott Picked):

Bradstreet
Taylor
Wheatley
Freneau
Rowson

List C (Writers We Voted On):

Sewall
Franklin
Adams & Adams
Paine
Morton
Native Americans (Creation Tales)

Paper Structure:

1.) Introduction

Introduce the author and title(s) of the text(s) you have chosen.
Perhaps provide a brief sketch of the writer's biography.
Perhaps provide a brief context for the text(s).
Perhaps explain why you chose this particular writer and/or the text(s).
Perhaps "forecast" the main ideas of your reaction, analysis, and synthesis.

2.) Summary of the text(s)

What is the text about? What is the "overall" theme, message, argument, purpose, etc.? What are the main ideas or sections? What is the "intended effect"?

3.) React to and analyze the writer and text(s) as you see them

What did you find interesting and/or unusual about the texts?
What are the themes and/or arguments in the texts?
What is the form and structure of the texts?
How would you describe the style and tone of the texts?
Is there any special symbolism and/or imagery in the texts?
Does the text fully achieve its purpose and/or intended effect? How? Or, why or why not?

4.) Synthesis: Connect the texts to the other (assigned) writers through comparison and contrast

Connect to one of the writers from List B
Connect to one of the writers from List C
Obviously, pick writers that have some obvious reasons for comparison and contrast
How, specifically, are they similar, and to what extent?
More importantly, how are they different, how do they "diverge"?
Consider themes, arguments, forms, structures, styles, tones, symbols, imagery, etc.

5.) Conclusion and Evaluation

What is the value of reading this writer, if any?
What did you gain from this exploration?
Would you recommend this writer and text(s) to others? Why or why not?

Evaluation Criteria: Your essay will be evaluated based on (1) the clarity of the main ideas, (2) the strength and clarity of the explanations and evidence, (3) the use of the structure provided, and (4) the use of language -- reasonable “correctness” in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics. In other words, your ideas and how you present and explain them are most important; “grammar” is only taken into account to the degree that it detracts from your presentation. A final word of warning: you are able to use the NAAL and notes as you write your essay, so be careful that you are accurate with your use of authors’ names, quotations, and factual details from the texts.

Formatting Requirements: Your essay should be at least three (3) pages long but no longer than five (5) pages – double-spaced and word-processed – with 1.0” margins, and a 12-point “normal” font (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial). No title page is needed: simply put your name, the course, my name, and the date in the upper-left-hand corner of the first page.

Rough Draft (Peer Review) Due Date: Monday, October 18, 2004 (four copies of a complete draft)

Final Draft Due Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2004