RESEARCHED ILLUSTRATION ESSAY (a.k.a. Example Essay)

1. RESEARCHEDILLUSTRATION ESSAY(a.k.a. Example Essay)

2. ASSIGNMENT • The purpose of this assignment is • to discuss the 3 most significant reasons (“illustration”) • for OR against an important issue, • properly utilizing research in the process.

3. ASSIGNMENT • First, get Topic Approval from the instructor. • Choose a debatable topic that has 2 clear, reasonable sides • You will argue only one side of the issue • You will give the 3 most significant reasons for (OR against) your topic • Avoid the fringe • Consult the “Opposing Viewpoints Topics List” for some suggestions

4. ASSIGNMENT • Next, write an AYK journal on “all you know” regarding your topic. • Then, research that particular side of the issue. • RESEARCH = • official Web sites • our college library’s databases • (such as Opposing Viewpoints) • (NO Wikipedia, about.com, blogs)

5. ASSIGNMENT • Then, in a Classic Illustration/Example Essay, you will argue for your chosen side. • We should ___ . (FOR) • We should not ___. (AGAINST) • Specifics on the format are below.

6. DATABASES • Britannica Online • Biographies Plus (Wilson Web) • CQ Researcher • Opposing Viewpoints • EBSCO • History Reference • Lexis-Nexis • Ethnic Watch • Gender Watch depts.luzerne.edu/library

7. ESSAY FORMAT INTRODUCTION • Introduce your subject. • Generalization ** • Quotation * • Question • Quip • Statistic * • Get us on the topic of your issue. • If, for example, you were writing on a 2010 candidate for governor: • Lately, no matter where we turn, we are inundated with coverage of the 2010 gubernatorial elections.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • 3 Body paragraphs • 1 reason per paragraph • (at least) 1 piece of research per reason

11. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (1) NAME the reason: • Topic + Main Idea + Reason #? • (2) EXPLAIN the reason: • “That is” or “In other words” • (3) ILLUSTRATE the reason: • specific examples to illustrate this reason • (4) JUSTIFY the reason: • “warrant statement” (“thus” or “therefore”)

12. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (1) 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 is its cruelty. • * In addition to its expediency and its cost-effectiveness, the most important reason the death penalty should be enforced is its cruelty.

13. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (2) 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

14. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (3) 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”

15. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (3) Support that 1 reason with specific and relevant examples (It is the Example essay!): • * this is where the RESEARCH typically comes in

16. ESSAY FORMAT BODY • (4) 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?!

17. 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.

18. ESSAY FORMAT WORKS CITED • proper header • last name-page number • Works Cited: • centered • NOT underlined, italicized, bold-faced, or ALLCAPS

19. 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

20. ESSAY FORMAT WORKS CITED • Alphabetically arrange all sources. • Reverse Indent all sources. • For longer URLs to fit on the lines, hit “enter” after a single slash. • For database URLs, stop after the “.com.”

21. ESSAY FORMAT • Consult the “OUTLINE TEMPLATE” • available on my Web site • under the “Illustration: Researched Essay” • <http://academic.luzerne.edu/shousenick>

22. REMINDERS • Argue ONE side of a particular issue. • Make a claim. • We should (or should not) vote for Candidate X. • We should (or should not) support Policy X. • Support that claim with your 3 best (most persuasive, significant) reasons. • Back up those reasons with specific examples (RESEARCH). • Quotes, statistics, incidents, examples, plans

23. 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.

24. 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.”

25. 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.

26. 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)

27. 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, no dates • (Smith 89) or (Smith “Smoking: Effects”) or (“Smoking: Effects”)

28. REMINDERS CITE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! • Cite after EACH and EVERY sentence of borrowed information. • It does NOT matter if you paraphrased the material or directly quoted it • We cite ideas – not necessarily words