Essays

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= **Essay 1 ** =

In his essay, “Enough about You,” Brian Williams’ argues, “It is now possible—even common—to go about your day in America and consume only what you wish to see or hear. The problem is there’s a lot of information out there that citizens in an informed democracy need to know in our complicated world”. He then poses this question: “Does it endanger the national conversation if we are all talking at once?”

Do you agree with Williams’ argument? Why/Why not?

Should we be concerned about the effects on our society of an unregulated, uncontrolled media environment where everyone has a voice? Are we becoming less informed due to the mass of unfiltered information on the web?

Develop your argument by giving at least THREE reasons to support your opinion. I want you to mine the readings for evidence to support your reasons. Incorporate ideas, facts, or opinions from at least FOUR of the readings by summary, paraphrase, and quotation. Make sure to address differing/opposing perspectives in each body paragraph.


 * Write at least 800 words to get a C. Expect to write 1000-1200 words to get a higher grade.
 * Essays should be word processed (typed); 1” margins, 11-12 point font, double spaced.
 * If you have two or more pages, staple them together.
 * Include the standard academic heading (ID block) at top left of page:

Student’s name  ENGL 150  [Professor] Liz Carlyle  Date  Word count


 * The Readings: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">“You-topian Dreams” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Henry Jenkins, “Convergence Culture” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Brian Williams, “Enough about You” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Steven Johnson, “It’s All about Us” “Enough about You” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">International Center for Media and the Public Agenda, “Students Addicted to Social Media”


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Important Dates: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">9/23: THESIS DAY. To explore your ideas, do a focused free-write on the question of an unregulated and uncontrolled media environment and its effects on society. Creating a list or a cluster diagram may also help you examine your ideas. Now it is time to develop a working thesis that responds to William’s question. It should answer the question with a central idea/main claim that will help you organize your draft. The next step is to start to develop an introduction (about 100 words) that includes a hook (see BH p.26), some information about the context or background, and your working thesis. Remember this is just a draft; it can be changed and revised at any time. Bring it to class and be prepared to share.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">9/25: PRE-WRITING Develop at least two body paragraphs in support of your thesis. Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence followed by the supporting evidence and your commentary (see recipe for a 150 essay). Type them up and bring to class.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">9/30: PEER RESPONSE: Complete your first draft and bring THREE hard copies to class. Your first draft should have an introduction, at least 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">10/7: ESSAY DUE! You should have received at least one conference with a tutor or instructor at the WC and made significant global revisions to your first draft.

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Essay 2 =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">For this essay, you will write on a specific issue and solution concerning the homelessness problem in our local communities in Humboldt County.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Here are some important facts on the homeless population in Humboldt County, according to the Point-in-time (PIT) Count conducted on January 25, 2011, by the Humboldt Housing and Homeless Coalition (HHHC):


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">there were 1064 homeless adults and 416 homeless children
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">the majority were male—63 percent
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">the average age was 40 for adults
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">the average age for children was 8
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">33% reported being “unsheltered,” which includes camping and sleeping in a car
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">67% were considered “sheltered”—in a homeless shelter, motel, transitional housing, or couch-surfing
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">30% said they had problems with alcohol
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">28% reported issues with drugs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">50% reported mental health challenges

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Read the selection of readings for Essay 2. Talk with friends and family to help you identify/prioritize one aspect or issue that, in your opinion, is the most important for the community to find a solution.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Develop a specific Question at Issue that directly addresses the issue and offers a specific solution.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Write an essay that develops an answer to this central Question at Issue. Develop your argument by giving at least THREE reasons to support your opinion. I want you to mine the readings for evidence to support your reasons and incorporate ideas, facts, or opinions from at least FIVE of them. Make sure to address differing/opposing perspectives in each body paragraph.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Write at least 850 words to get a C. Expect to write 1000-1200 words to get a higher grade.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Essays should be word processed (typed); 1” margins, 11-12 point font, double spaced.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">If you have two or more pages, staple them together.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Include the standard academic heading (ID block) at top left of page. Please include the word count.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">10/7: In-class free-write: Write for 10 minutes exploring the root causes and/or solutions to the problem of homelessness in our community. Write from your own experience and consider carefully any personal connections with this issue. How do your own experiences impact your thinking?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Important Dates: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">10/14: THESIS DAY (10 points): From your free-write, identify and prioritize the issues that are important to you and list any potential solutions. Creating a list or a cluster diagram may also help you examine and prioritize your ideas.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Select two of those issues and develop a Question at Issue for each one. This is a specific question that usually begins with “how” or “why”. For example:


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">1. How should local communities deal with the homeless encampments around town?
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">2. Should Eureka ban pan-handling? Why/Why not?
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">3. How should the community address mental health issues in the homeless population in Humboldt County?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Take one Question at Issue (whichever you prefer) and do a focused free-write that responds directly to that question. After 10 minutes of writing, you should have a sense of whether your question generates enough interesting content. Try the other question if you don’t think there is enough scope to develop an essay. Next, develop a Working Thesis that responds to your question. It should answer the question with a central claim that is arguable and relevant to a local audience. **Bring your Question at Issue and Working Thesis to class. Be prepared to share!**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">10/16: PRE-WRITING (20 points): Develop at least two body paragraphs in support of your thesis. Each body paragraph should begin with a topic sentence followed by the supporting evidence and your commentary (see recipe for a 150 essay). At this point, develop a rough introduction (about 100 words) that includes a hook (see BH p.26), some information about the context or background, and your working thesis. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Type everything up and bring to class. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">10/21: PEER RESPONSE (40 points): **Complete your first draft and bring THREE hard copies to class**. Your first draft should have an introduction, at least 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">10/28: ESSAY DUE! (60 points-graded): **You should get at least one conference with a tutor or instructor at the WC and make significant global revisions to your first draft.**

=<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Essay 3** =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">David Foster Wallace believes “the real value of a real education has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over: This is water, this is water”.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">However, Mike Rose in his essay “Blue Collar Brilliance” argues that “[to] acknowledge a broader range of intellectual capacity is to take seriously the concept of cognitive variability, to appreciate in all the Rosies and Joes the thought that drives their accomplishments and defines who they are. This is a model of the mind that is worthy of a democratic society”.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">How do these two ways of thinking about education differ? Do you accept either of these viewpoints? Yes? No? Somewhat? Why do see it like you do?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In other words, what, in your mind, should be the real value of an education?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Write an essay in which you explore the real value of your own education. Begin by explaining, these two ways of thinking about education, and then show how these viewpoints resonate or contradict with your own educational experience and goals. What value do you see in your education? Why is it important to you?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">The essay should be at least 1000 words (or 1200 for a higher grade), 11-12 font, double-spaced, with 1”margins and the standard academic header. Please include the word count.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">In your essay, be sure to include:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Support for your arguments with relevant ideas, information, and quotes from at least THREE of the assigned readings. Aim for 2-3 quotes per body paragraph.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Evidence that contradicts your argument. Do you disagree? Do you acknowledge it has some merit? Discuss why this evidence does not cause you to abandon your own position.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Things to Shoot for:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Show that you have carefully read the assigned readings, and that you have fully digested the different viewpoints and evidence.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Show that you are really thinking about the topic—this is a complex question, so don’t settle for an easy answer. Don’t feel like you have to take an either-or position.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Write so that someone not in our class can understand it. Assume your audience has not read these texts. That means you will need to briefly summarize key ideas and explain any unfamiliar terms.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">The Readings:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">“Kenyon Commencement Speech” by David Foster Wallace

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">“Blue Collar Brilliance” by Mike Rose

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">“Two Years are Better than Four” by Liz Addison

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">“Brainology” by Carol Dweck

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 1.5;">Important Dates:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">11/4: Thesis Day (10 points). Complete a focused free-write on the Question at Issue. Write productively for at least 10 minutes. Go back into the Rose and Wallace readings. Highlight at least 2 quotes from each that might agree or disagree with ideas from your focused free-write. Write a couple of sentences for each quote explaining why you found them interesting, contradictory or important. Write an additional sentence showing how the quotes connect to a key idea in your free-write.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Now it is time to develop a working thesis. You are looking for a specific answer to the Question at Issue.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Expect this activity to take about 90 minutes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Once you have a working thesis, write a rough introduction. Remember, start with a hook: a quote, an anecdote, a question, an interesting fact. Follow up by providing some context or background for your working. Write so that someone NOT in our class can understand why your thesis is important is consider.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">11/6: Pre-writing (10 points). At least TWO body paragraphs, typed up. Bring a hard copy to class for credit. Eachbody paragraphs must incorporate at least 2 sandwiched quotes from the readings.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">11/13: Peer Review (30 points). Bring 2 copies to class.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">11/18: Essay DUE (100 points, graded). Submit your working portfolio, to include all free-writes, pre-writing, first drafts, peer review, WC conference forms and the revised draft. Put the final draft on top.