This week, you will write your second essay. Topic choices are described in this week’s Lessons (i.e., see the song lyrics provided). Use the three-part thesis and five-paragraph essay format you learned during week two. Write in third person only.
(Three-part thesis example from our topic choices: Though Woodstock is one of the most widely known music festivals of all time, many are unaware of the problems the event posed regarding finding a location, caring for such a large crowd, and cleaning up after the event.)
You must incorporate research exclusively from the APUS (American Public University System) library into your essay and please avoid encyclopedias, etc. as mentioned earlier. Use two or three sources—no more, no less. Remember that your essay should be mostly your own writing (~80%) and approximately 20% source material. This is short essay, so use short quotes only. I suggest only a line or two of quoted material in each of your body paragraphs. Don’t forget your Works Cited page
The MLA formatting is done for you (e.g., Times New Roman size 12, double-spaced, header, etc.). Update your name, your professor’s name, and date. Don’t forget to put your last name in the header
Your essay should be between 500 and 750 words. Please do not go under the word count at all. Do not go over the word count by more than 50 words. Following instructions is an important part of any writing assignment, and often you will be asked to adhere to word count guidelines, so this is good practice!
Be sure that all paragraphs are well developed. I suggest 5-8 sentences per paragraph and no less than 100 words per paragraph, including your introduction and conclusion.
This week we will write an informative essay, which is sometimes called an expository essay. You will pick a topic (described below), research your topic, and educate your reader about it. This essay will not be argumentative and should not include your personal opinions.
Now back to the fun part. Click on the following link and watch this video by Billy Joel (“We Didn’t Start the Fire”).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g
If you do not wish to watch the video, you may simply read the lyrics. https://goo.gl/QZGsd8
Please pick ONE topic listed in this song. This will be your topic for essay two. Now visit the library and begin your research! Find at least two sources. Then go to this week’s Forums and Assignments areas for more work on essay two.
