Assignment for Week 4, Day 1

Assignment:

Select one of the following topics for an essay developed by examples. Once you have made your selection use one of the methods of introduction discussed on pages 53-54 to begin your essay. Make sure your thesis statement is included in the introductory paragraph. Put your introductory paragraph ( which will become the beginning of your first formal essay) in MLA format and be ready to hand in your paper the first day of class next week. Be sure to save your paragraph to your jump drive as either a MS WORD document or as an .rtf  file.

Topics for essay #1 [all topics can be found in the 12th ed.]:

1.  What stereotypes are applied by outsiders to your racial or ethnic group (or to people of your gender, intended profession, or geographic region)?  Write an exemplification essay in which you argue that these stereotypes are untrue and potentially harmful. Support your thesis with passages of narration, comparison and contrast and cause and effect.

2.  Think of some books, films, advertisements, or TV shows that feature characters of your own racial or ethnic group. Write a classification essay in which you discuss the different ways in which these characters are portrayed. Use exemplification and description to explain your categories. In your thesis, evaluate the accuracy of these characteristics.

3.  Using your family and friends as examples, write an essay suggesting some of the positive or negative characteristics of Americans.

4.  Write an exemplification essay discussing how cooperation has helped you achieve some important goal. Support your thesis with a single well-developed example.

5.  The popularity of the TV show American Idol  has revealed once again Americans' long-standing infatuation with music icons. Choose several pop groups or starts, old an new--such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, 50 Cents, Beyonce Knowles, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift, to name only a few--and use them to illustrate the characteristics that you think make pop stars so appealing.