Writing Project #1

 

Analyze one of the following options in a well-developed essay.  Make sure you have a strong introduction with a very clear thesis statement.  Provide strong points in the body of your essay and support them with details and examples.  And finally, make sure your conclusion is developed and reflective.  This essay must be at least 4 pages typed and double-spaced using 12pt. Times Roman Font.

 

Choose one option: Keep in mind that the following prompts are to get you thinking. All parts of the prompt do not need to be answered in your paper.

 

• Argument: Sociologist Frank Furstenburg notes, “A new period of life is emerging in which young people are no longer adolescents but not yet adults . . . It is simply not possible for most young people to achieve economic and psychological autonomy as early as it was half a century ago.” Write an essay in which you either agree or disagree with this assessment, using examples from the essay, personal experience, and possibly outside research.

 

• Cause and effect: The scholars of the Research Network on Transitions to Adulthood, relying on hard data, make the point that economic factors far outweigh psychological ones in explaining what has happened to young adults, noting “The current changing timetable of adulthood has given rise to a host of questions about whether current generations of young people are more dependent on their parents, less interested in growing up, and more wary of commitments.” Write an essay in which you discuss the effects of this issue. What do you think will happen? What does the future hold? And why is this significant?

 

• Analytical: The title of Atwood’s article is “Debtor’s Prism,” which is a play on the phrase “debtor’s prison.” Learn what the debtor’s prison was used for throughout history, along with all the concepts surrounding this concept, and then explore whether a modern form of the debtor’s prison exists (figuratively) for yours and future generations. In essence, does the idea of a prison accurately reflect the issues the current generation of young people are facing? Why or why not? And why is this important?

 

• Rhetorical Analysis: What are the most effective rhetorical elements found in “Debtor’s Prism?” What makes them effective? How does his style differ from the other authors we read?

 

Invention Strategies for Writing Project #1

 

(Make sure to label each of the activities by number)

 

1)Do some brainstorming and a cluster diagram on 2 different essay prompts

 

2)Write a (5-7 sentences) response to the two essay prompt options you chose.

 

Aristotle's Topoi

 

     Aristotle developed topoi ("places") for invention.  These topoi were ways of reasoning which could be applied to any subject to generate material about it.  Gregory and Elizabeth Cowan in their book Writing present a system of inquiry derived from some of Aristotle's topoi.  To use the system, ask yourself questions about a subject you want to explore, making notes on ideas and points that occur to you.  If you get stuck on a question, move on.  The point is not merely to come up with an answer for each question, but to probe your subject in as many ways as are useful to you.

 

Definition:

 

1. How does the dictionary define _________________?

2. What earlier words did _________________ come from?

3. What do I mean by _________________?

4. What group of things does _________________ seem to belong to?  How is

    _________________ different from other things in this group?

5. What parts can _________________ be divided into?

6. Does _________________ mean something now it didn't years ago?

7. What other words mean approximately the same as _________________?

8. What are some concrete examples of _________________?

9. When is the meaning of _________________ misunderstood?

 

Comparison:

 

1. What is _________________ similar to?  How?

2. What is _________________ different from?  How?

3. _________________ is superior to what?  How?

4. _________________ is inferior to what?  How?

5. _________________ is most unlike what?  How?

6. _________________ is most like what?  How?

 

Relationship:

 

1. What causes _________________?

2. What are the effects of _________________?

3. What is the purpose of _________________?

4. Why does _________________ happen?

5. What is the consequence of _________________?

6. What comes after _________________?

7. What comes before _________________?

 

Testimony:

 

1. What have I heard people say about _________________?

2. Do I know any facts or statistics about _________________?  What?

3. Have I talked with anyone about _________________?

4. Do I know any well-known saying about _________________?

5. Can I quote proverbs or poems about _________________?

6. Are there any laws about _________________?

7. Do I know any songs about _________________?  Have I read anything

   about _________________ in books or magazines?

8. Do I want to do any research on _________________?

 

Circumstance:

 

1. Is _________________ possible or impossible?

2. What qualities, conditions, or circumstances make _________________

   possible or impossible?

3. Suppose that _________________ is possible.  Is it feasible?  Why?

4. When did _________________ happen previously?

5. Who has done or experienced _________________?

6. Who can do _________________?

7. If _________________ starts what makes it end?

8. What would it take for _________________ to happen now?

9. What would prevent _________________ from happening now?

 

3)Write a page freewrite on your topic.

 

 

4)Make a detailed outline of your essay including your working thesis statement.

 

 

 

After you have completed these five activities, you are ready to begin your rough draft.

 

 

Attach all of these activities to the final draft of your essay when you turn it in.