Previous paper topics - English 2613


Paper 1

Read every word below carefully, more than once, before starting your essay.
Choose one of the three options below and respond in an argumentative essay of 1000-1500 words.  Whichever side of the argument you take, you must also present the opposing viewpoint (the other side of the argument), preferably before giving your own views.

For details of the physical formatting of your paper on paper—margins, headers, titles, etc.—see the simple stuff page.  For guidelines on quotation and documentation, see the quotes and documentation page.  All options require that you offer a minimum of six quotations from our readings to illustrate or substantiate your claims, so a works cited page is required. Note that six quotes is an absolute minimum—you can certainly offer more than six to illustrate or substantiate your primary claims thoroughly and effectively.

As indicated in the online schedule for this class, on Monday, February 5th you are to turn in a paper proposal in the form of a topic sentence outline beginning with the question your essay will strive to answer, followed by each body paragraph's complete topic sentence as it will appear in the essay itself, and ending with a thesis statement that a) answers the question you are addressing, and b) ties together the primary points in your topic sentences. The question you raise for this outline should be a literal question—an interrogative sentence ending in a question mark, not merely a statement of what your topic is. You may email me your topic sentence outline before the 5th in the body of an email message—that is, it's not necessary to send the outline as an attachment. For full explanation of a topic sentence outline, including examples, follow the paper proposal link on our schedule of readings and assignments.

I encourage you to seek my help with your paper outside of class. If my office hours don't mesh with your schedule, let me know, and we'll make arrangements for other times.

Options:
1) Construct an argument debating the issue of whether A Raisin in the Sun is more concerned with racial issues or universal issues, issues that apply to people of all races.  The idea here is to argue that Hansberry's play is more about one set of issues or the other, so draw the lines of argument clearly and precisely, with emphasis on the word "more."  Quote the play six or more times in illustrating your assertions—at least two of the quotes should support the opposing viewpoint, and of course you should use quotes to back up your own major points on your side of the argument.

2) Pygmalion focuses on issues confronting Shaw's society in early twentieth-century England, a very different world from ours here in the U. S. in 2007.  Construct an argument between the point of view that Pygmalion has little significant relevance to us, Americans in the twenty-first century, and the viewpoint that the play is highly relevant for us despite the differences between Shaw's time and culture and our own.  Give specific examples from "our world" that either show connections between our world and Shaw's or demonstrate the difference between our world and that depicted in Pygmalion.  Quote the play at least six times in the course of the argument (opposing views and/or your views, wherever seems appropriate).

3) Shaw's Pygmalion was adapted for film in My Fair Lady, a movie now considered classic.  There are significant differences between the play and the film.  Consider the most notable differences between the play and the movie and build an argument debating whether the film is more successful than the play in delivering Shaw's social criticism or less successful. It will not be enough to argue simply that one version is more entertaining than the other: the key will be to identify what Shaw's specific "message" is and to explain how the movie's alterations of Shaw's plot either strengthen or weaken the delivery of that message.

Caution: This last option requires careful and insightful critical thought.  Following the script while viewing the film is a must in identifying the specific changes in plot, and it can be difficult to argue both sides of this issue.  This option is recommended only for the most ambitious, and I strongly urge you to see me in the planning stages or with a draft before turning in the paper.



Tips:
blue bulletOffer concrete evidence (i.e. quotations) to support each of your major assertions.
blue bulletMake every body ¶'s topic sentence answer the topic sentence outline question directly.
blue bulletAvoid plot summary: see nugget 1; introduce all quotes: see nugget 3.
blue bulletSweat the details: use the Golden Rules, Nuggets, Simple Stuff, and Quotes & Documentation pages and proofread carefully.


I encourage you to seek my help with your paper outside of class. If my office hours don't fit with your schedule, let me know. I also encourage you to seek help from the writing tutors in BH 207 or the writing lab in the Health Sciences building (HS 227) on any aspect of the essay: setting up your topic, outlining, developing the draft, revising, or editing.