Essay for English 120
Required Text
Any one text or TED Talk we have covered in class (anchor text) and one other source.
Choices for Your Anchor Text and Secondary Sources:
“Every Child Needs a Champion” by Rita Pierson
“How Languages Shape the Way We Think” by Lera Boroditsky
“Telling Stories of Africa” by Chris Aboni
“Texting is Killing Language, JK!!!” by John McWhorter
“The Curse” by Alexander Chee
“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience™” by Rebecca Roanhorse
“What is the Morally Appropriate Language to Read and Write In?” by Arundhati Roy
“Where Did You Get That Name?” by Baratunde Thurston
Excerpts from Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Heart Berries by Therese Marie Mailhot
JK Rowling’s Harvard Commencement Speech
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Essay Prompt:
Your task is to consider some of the social, racial, or identity issues that present themselves. Using one text/TED talk and at least one other source, you will need to come up with your own argument about the social issue presented or implied. Your argument should be focused on the meaning you have taken from the texts/TED Talk. Consider what we have learned about constructing an effective argument through rhetorical strategies such as PACES and Ethos, Pathos, Logos while developing your argument about your chosen text.
First, need to choose one text or TED Talk to be your anchor text for this project, to focus your argument on.
After you have done that, then you need to choose a second source to support what you have to say about your anchor text. This can be a second source from the list or one you find on your own.
Specific Requirements
□ Your essay must include academic summaries of
your chosen texts/TED Talks.
□ Your essay must also include your argument.
▪ That means you need a thesis and topic sentences which state your claim and reasons why. You also need support for your argument in the form of cited material from the text itself.
▪ Remember, your thesis needs to contain both your limited subject and your attitude (claim) about your limited subject.
▪ For this essay, your limited subject is the specific text or TED talk you have chosen as your anchor text, and your attitude is what you want to argue about that chosen text.
You must include a total of at least( Six) direct quotes.
from your two sources in your essay.
□ You must include a counter argument and refutation paragraph in your essay. This counter argument and refutation should directly respond to a point or claim from one of your body paragraphs.
□ You are required to cite your sources using proper MLA format, so don’t forget your Works Cited page.
□ Length: 5-6 pages
□ Your essay needs to have a creative title.
In your introduction, include:
1. a hook or attention grabber;
2. background information on the topic
3. Academic summary of your text
4. your thesis statement – your thesis should state your limited subject and attitude
In your body paragraphs, include:
PIE Format
Topic sentences/Points that make a claim about the effectiveness of a rhetorical strategy
Information that is directly quoted from the text
Explanation/Evaluation of each quote that does the following:
Explains what the quote means in your own words
Connects the quote to your point/claim. Shows how the quotes supports the point.
Explains the significance of the quote.
In your conclusion, include
1. A brief summary of your key points
2. Restate your thesis
3. Final thoughts about your topic
