In this essay you will develop an argument about one of the readings(I choose “declaration of independence”). You will begin by asking questions, choosing the ones you are most interested in answering, and explaining why each question is important to you and why it would be important to other people. From there you will develop a thesis and write as much of the body paragraphs as you can. We will save doing the introduction and conclusion for the next draft. The paper you turn in today should have the following parts:
Part 1:
• Come up with 5-8 questions about a reading we have read in the class. (I choose “declaration of independence”)
• Select the three questions you like best from your list and answer these two questions about each:
◦ Why is this question important to me?
◦ Why would this question be important to others?
Part 2:Formulate a thesis by providing a short answer to one of your questions. (It may turn out that you could answer more than one of your questions if they are closely related.) The thesis for an argument paper such as this one should make a statement about the reading and then provide at least one reason or explanation for that statement.
Part 3: Do not write an introduction or conclusion to your paper, but do write as much of the body of the paper as possible.
Here is an example:
Questions: Why does L’Engle show children who are all in lockstep with the exception of one? What is the purpose of having one child who cannot stick to the program? Why are people worried about being taken to Central Central Intelligence if that puts them back in harmony with IT? What suggestions does L’Engle make about the power of love to combat evil? Why are L’Engle’s heroes, especially Meg, so wounded? Is it possible that L’Engle is making a connection between the evils of Camezotz and the evils the heroes experience at home on Earth? How does L’Engle show that order and uniformity brought about by fear and coercion are not the same thing as harmony which allows for difference?
My three best questions: What is the purpose of having one child who cannot stick to the program? This question is important to me because it makes me think about how people have to deal with the tension between conforming and fitting in to society in order to belong and the desire to be an individual. It might be important to other people because they can see that forcing everyone to be the same kills the spirit. Why are L’Engle’s heroes so wounded? This question is important to me because I think L’Engle wants to show that people who are fully human are flawed and wounded and have the ability to empathize with and love others despite their flaws and wounds. This question would be important to other people because they can find their own strength while reading of the trials and triumphs of L’Engle’s heroes. How does L’Engle show that order and uniformity brought about by fear and coercion are not the same thing as harmony which allows for difference? This question is important to me because as a child I experienced bullying due to being different. It might be important to other people because they can see that trying to make everyone be the same will not result in a peaceful and better world but one in which those who cannot fit in are suffering all the time.
Thesis:I think my best question for writing a thesis is my last one: How does L’Engle show that order and uniformity brought about by fear and coercion are not the same thing as harmony which allows for difference? In the book, A Wrinkle in Time, Madeline L’Englesuggeststhat evil gathers strength from hatred that
In the book, A Wrinkle in Time, L’Engle uses the little boy who is out of step with the other children to show that uniformity brought about by fear and coercion is not harmony because the little boy suffers due to his difference; harmony on the other hand results from loving people regardless of their differences and flaws.
From here I would do part three – writing the body paragraphs. I should have a body paragraph in which I describe how the little boy suffers from his difference. I might also have a paragraph about how Meg suffers due to her differences. Then I might have a paragraph describing how Meg uses her faults to conquer evil and save her father and little brother, at least restoring harmony to her life. I may need more body paragraphs, but I would figure this out as I go. In addition, I might need to adjust my thesis as my ideas change while writing the body of the paper.
After finish this draft
• Write both an introduction and a conclusion for this draft.
• The last sentence or two of your introduction should be your thesis statement.
◦ The thesis statement needs to make an arguable claim. This means that your thesis statement should be an answer to a second level question. (Please see the page titled Writing a Thesis Statement for help on how to do this. Link
◦ If your thesis is just an answer to a first level question you will only be providing the reader with information they could get from the reading.
◦ Your assignment is to tell the reader your interpretation or opinion about something in the reading.
Your body paragraphs should further elaborate on your reasons stated in the thesis statement and should include examples to illustrate your point. In this case your examples will be quotes from the reading you chose.
