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Analytical Essay
Length: 750 Words
Jennine Capó Crucet's Make Your Home Among Strangers (Links to an external site.) takes Lizet Ramirez's first year of college as its subject. Readers encounter Lizet contemplating her decisions and reacting to her surroundings. In response to reading such a novel during what may be your first semester at New York Tech, you will formulate a thesis statement that responds to one of the following questions, which you will support with your analysis of quotations from the novel.
1. How does this novel address the realities of college life? What is missing from its story? Why is what is included or excluded necessary to a discussion of college life? (you do not need to address each aspect of these questions, but they can help you brainstorm)
2. How does the author's lack of quotation marks affect how her book makes meaning? How do passages of the novel read differently as a result?
3. How does the protagonist's interest in science shape the novel, particularly as a novel of 'the college experience' (there is not just one)?
The structure of your paragraphs should follow the example of the sample paragraph in Issue Four of Understanding Rhetoric. Remember that you do not need to summarize the novel, as your essay's readers will be familiar with it, and you should select quotations to analyze in which the language of the quotation (the words, images, tone) is necessary to making your point. You do not need to quote passages that you could otherwise put in your own words.
You can build from your blog postings or class work, but make sure that your essay reads fluidly.
Your essay must demonstrate correct use of MLA style and a correctly formatted list of works cited, including the course text you are addressing. While you are not required to consult additional sources, you must cite all sources that you consult, including web pages. Use parenthetical citations to acknowledge when quoting or citing others’ ideas. It is plagiarism to use others’ words or ideas without citing them.
Remember, you do not need to summarize course texts in your essay. Assume your readers have read the novel and only tell them what they need to know to understand your points.
Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, in twelve-point, and Times New Roman font.
Submit your rough draft and final drafts as Word documents on Canvas.
Developing Your Argument
Essay Structure
Assessment Rubric
Your essay will be assessed using the following criteria:
Exceptional.
Strong.
Satisfactory. The essay is reasonably focused, and explanations or analyses are mostly based on examples or other evidence. Fewer connections are made between ideas, and though new insights are offered, they are not fully developed. The essay reflects moderate engagement with the topic. It contains errors in grammar, punctuation, or MLA style (and list of works cited).
Underdeveloped. The essay is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. The post reflects passing engagement with the topic. It contains many errors in the use of grammar, punctuation, or MLA style.
Limited. The essay is unfocused, or simply rehashes previous comments, and displays no evidence of student engagement with the topic.
No Credit. The essay is missing or consists of disconnected sentences. It demonstrates plagiarism: presenting others' ideas as your own, pasting content from sources (including websites), or drawing on such content without citing it.
Adapted from https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/a-rubric-for-evaluating-student-blogs/27196
Analytical Essay
Length: 750 Words
Jennine Capó Crucet's Make Your Home Among Strangers (Links to an external site.) takes Lizet Ramirez's first year of college as its subject. Readers encounter Lizet contemplating her decisions and reacting to her surroundings. In response to reading such a novel during what may be your first semester at New York Tech, you will formulate a thesis statement that responds to one of the following questions, which you will support with your analysis of quotations from the novel.
1. How does this novel address the realities of college life? What is missing from its story? Why is what is included or excluded necessary to a discussion of college life? (you do not need to address each aspect of these questions, but they can help you brainstorm)
2. How does the author's lack of quotation marks affect how her book makes meaning? How do passages of the novel read differently as a result?
3. How does the protagonist's interest in science shape the novel, particularly as a novel of 'the college experience' (there is not just one)?
The structure of your paragraphs should follow the example of the sample paragraph in Issue Four of Understanding Rhetoric. Remember that you do not need to summarize the novel, as your essay's readers will be familiar with it, and you should select quotations to analyze in which the language of the quotation (the words, images, tone) is necessary to making your point. You do not need to quote passages that you could otherwise put in your own words.
You can build from your blog postings or class work, but make sure that your essay reads fluidly.
Your essay must demonstrate correct use of MLA style and a correctly formatted list of works cited, including the course text you are addressing. While you are not required to consult additional sources, you must cite all sources that you consult, including web pages. Use parenthetical citations to acknowledge when quoting or citing others’ ideas. It is plagiarism to use others’ words or ideas without citing them.
Remember, you do not need to summarize course texts in your essay. Assume your readers have read the novel and only tell them what they need to know to understand your points.
Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, in twelve-point, and Times New Roman font.
Submit your rough draft and final drafts as Word documents on Canvas.
Developing Your Argument
- Select quotations to analyze. You only need to quote when the language of the quotation matters to your argument. Otherwise, you can put a quotation in your own words.
- As you return to the text, formulate an argument by asking what links the evidence you selected. Ask yourself how they differ from each other and other moments. These questions will allow you to answer why each instance is significant to the novel.
- Also consider the form and style of the examples you select. Analyze the word choice and tone. Where in the novel do the instances that you note take place? Why is this significant?
- Be creative and take intellectual risks. Show readers of your essay what you want them to see. Remember that each reader interprets a text differently.
Essay Structure
- As you plan your essay, consider analyzing two to three quotations or examples per paragraph. If quotations are more than four lines in length they need to be indented as a block quotation. Be selective and only quote the words, phrases, or lines necessary to your argument. In addition, fully analyze the quotations you have selected. Sometimes you might deal with only one quotation or example in a paragraph if it demands that much explication.
- Your introductory paragraph should introduce your claim and why it is significant. Remember that your introduction can change until the last minute; often, it is a good technique to make your conclusion your introduction.
- Each topic sentence should assert the argument in the body paragraph it begins. Your analysis in each paragraph should support the topic sentence. The topic sentence of each paragraph should support your claim in the introduction.
- The conclusion of your essay does not need to repeat what you have already said. In light of what you have argued, make a connection to a larger context and suggest ideas for further research.
Assessment Rubric
Your essay will be assessed using the following criteria:
Exceptional.
- A thought-provoking essay, clearly written and carefully argued, demonstrating creativity and thorough engagement with texts.
- The essay supports a focused thesis, considering its implications.
- The essay reflects careful reading of texts and interpretation of evidence. Quotations are analyzed and incorporated effectively, functioning as a part of sentences.
- The topic sentences support the thesis and state what each paragraph argues.
- The essay demonstrates creativity in its approach to the subject.
- The sentences throughout demonstrate clear, engaging use of language.
- The essay's title draws in readers, introducing them to the essay's argument.
- The conclusion draws the argument to a close, makes a connection to a new context, and suggests directions for future research.
- The essay demonstrates correct use of grammar, punctuation, and MLA style for in-text citations and list of works cited
Strong.
- The essay contains a thesis, supported by analysis of quotations and examples.
- The implications of the thesis could be considered further.
- The organization of ideas could be stronger.
- The quotations could be more fully analyzed.
- The conclusion could consider further future directions for research.
- The ropic sentences could more effectively address what each paragraph argues.
- The essay could demonstrate further revision and proofreading, including use of MLA style for in-text citations and list of works cited.'
Satisfactory. The essay is reasonably focused, and explanations or analyses are mostly based on examples or other evidence. Fewer connections are made between ideas, and though new insights are offered, they are not fully developed. The essay reflects moderate engagement with the topic. It contains errors in grammar, punctuation, or MLA style (and list of works cited).
Underdeveloped. The essay is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. The post reflects passing engagement with the topic. It contains many errors in the use of grammar, punctuation, or MLA style.
Limited. The essay is unfocused, or simply rehashes previous comments, and displays no evidence of student engagement with the topic.
No Credit. The essay is missing or consists of disconnected sentences. It demonstrates plagiarism: presenting others' ideas as your own, pasting content from sources (including websites), or drawing on such content without citing it.
Adapted from https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/a-rubric-for-evaluating-student-blogs/27196