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RESEARCHED ILLUSTRATION ESSAY (a.k.a. Example Essay). 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. ASSIGNMENT. Write a journal on AYK regarding your presidential candidate. Then, research that particular person. Research = official Web sites our college library’s databases
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ASSIGNMENT • Write a journal on AYK regarding your presidential candidate. • Then, research that particular person. • Research = • official Web sites • our college library’s databases • (NO Wikipedia, about.com, blogs)
ASSIGNMENT • Then, in a Classic Illustration/Example Essay, you will argue for your assigned candidate. • For whom should you vote? • Why should Americans vote for ___? • Specifics on the format are below.
CANDIDATES Senator John McCain Senator Barack Obama
OFFICIAL Web sites • http://johnmccain.com • http://mccain.senate.gov • http://barakobama.com • http://obama.senate.gov • “McCain vs. Obama on Taxes” (Washington Post article: online)
DATABASES • Britannica Online • Biographies Plus (Wilson Web) • CQ Researcher • Opposing Viewpoints • EBSCO • History Reference • Lexis-Nexis • Ethnic Watch • Gender Watch depts.luzerne.edu/library
ESSAY FORMAT INTRODUCTION • Introduce your subject. • Generalization * • Quotation • Question • Quip • Statistic • Get us on the topic of the 2008 presidential elections. • Lately, no matter where we turn, we are inundated with coverage of the 2008 presidential elections.
ESSAY FORMAT INTRODUCTION • Narrow towards your thesis: • “some” • “others” • Some Americans are ignoring the issues, the candidates, and the election process as a whole. • However, other citizens are quite involved with the election process, either actively campaigning for someone or passively following the coverage.
ESSAY FORMAT INTRODUCTION • End with a strong thesis statement: • topic + main idea + support (3 reasons) • clearly and succinctly state your claim or argument (What is your position?) • clearly and succinctly announce your 3 reasons • For whom to vote and why.
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • 3 Body paragraphs • 1 reason per paragraph • 1 (at least) example per reason
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • NAME the reason: • Topic + Main Idea + Reason #? • EXPLAIN the reason: • “That is” or “In other words” • ILLUSTRATE the reason: • specific examples to illustrate this reason • JUSTIFY the reason: • “warrant statement” (“thus” or “therefore”)
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • Begin each Body paragraph with a Topic Sentence: • refer to the previous reason (s) as you segue to this reason • repeat 2/3 of your thesis statement + this reason • “name the reason” • “Another reason the death penalty should be enforced isits cruelty.” • * “In addition to its expediency and its cost-effectiveness, the most important reason the death penalty should be enforced is its cruelty.”
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • Then, briefly explain the reason: • re-word it, clarify it • “explain the reason” • “In other words” or “That is to say” • the naming and the explaining should consist of no more than 3-4 sentences • so...be brief
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • Support that 1 reason with specific and relevant examples (It is the Example essay!): • be specific: • somebody doing something • concrete details • be relevant: • examples should be clear, • pertinent, germane, related to the reason/point • “illustrate the reason” • TRANSITIONS: “For example” or “For instance”
ESSAY FORMAT BODY • End each Body paragraph with a Warrant Statement: • “Thus,” “Therefore” • relate the evidence back to your point, to your topic sentence • justify this example: • Why is it relevant to your point? • How does it help prove your reason? • SO WHAT?!
ESSAY FORMAT CONCLUSION • Refer to your opening. • Repeat your thesis and main points. • Discuss where this issue is to go from here. • End with an appropriate Clincher Sentence.
ESSAY FORMAT WORKS CITED • proper header • last name-page number • Works Cited: • centered • NOT underlined, italicized, bold-faced, or ALLCAPS
ESSAY FORMAT WORKS CITED • Follow the proper MLA format as described in your handbooks. • Pay especial attention to the MLA format regarding databases and Web sites. • Databases: original publishing information AND database information
ESSAY FORMAT WORKS CITED • Alphabetically arrange all sources. • Reverse Indent all sources. • For longer URLs to fit on the lines, hit “enter” after a slash. • For database URLs, stop after the “.com.”
ESSAY FORMAT • Consult the “Outline Template” • available on my Web site • under the “Illustration: Researched Essay” • <http://academic.luzerne.edu/shousenick>
REMINDERS • Argue one side of a particular issue. • Make a claim. • For whom to vote. • Support that claim with your 3 best (more persuasive, significant) reasons. • Back up those reasons with specific examples. • Quotes, statistics, incidents, examples, plans
REMINDERS • Example Essay = “reasons”: • No “history lessons” in the Body paragraphs. This is the place for your reasons only. • This is not a “types” essay: • Classification: types of mental illnesses, of STDs, of rape… • Rather, it is a “reasons” essay.
REMINDERS • Do not end a paragraph with another’s words or ideas. • This is your essay. • Thus, you are using researched evidence to support your ideas. • You are not summarizing the issue or the research. • Always end with a “warrant statement.”
REMINDERS • Lead-in verbs should be in the present tense: • claims, asserts, points out • NO “says” because of the print medium • Put “quotation marks” around direct quotes. • Use direct quotesorparaphrase—do not “ride the fence.” • Either quote the original in its entirety OR put it completely in your own words.
REMINDERS • PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS : • * the purpose is to get the reader to your Works Cited page • so do not interfere with the flow of the essay • so keep it short • *the 1st item on the bibliographic line: author, article • *and the page number or “subheading” • period comes after the parentheses • if the author’s name is not in the sentence, put it in the (Smith 89) • if no author’s name is given, then attribute the article to “the unnamed” or “the anonymous” author • as part of your lead-in, mention the credentials of your source (Ethos)
REMINDERS • PARENTHETICAL CITATIONS: • if your source is an online article or Web site (note the spelling!), put in the ( ) the “subheading” or “subtitle” under which your information appears. • only a space between the author and the page number or “subheading” (no punctuation) • truncate: • only the author’s last name • shorten long titles • no URLs • (Smith 89) or (Smith “Smoking: Effects”) or (“Smoking: Effects”)
REMINDERS CITE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CANDIDATES REPUBLICAN Senator John McCain
CANDIDATES DEMOCRAT Senator Barack Obama