InSync

Fall 2011

Essay

Theme: “Self and Diversity”

Due Dates: Grades:

Problem-Solving Draft: November 14 for in-class peer-editing 10 pts. for Editing Session Final/Audience Draft: November 16 50 pts. for Essay

Length: Approximately 2-2 ½ typed pages, 450-550 words, double spaced

Please TYPE the final draft of your essay and DOUBLE-SPACE

Format: Title of your essay in the center, your name, class, assignment, and due date on the first page. Page numbers on all pages

Citations: When using quotations, please follow the MLA citation format, using a SIGNAL or LEAD-IN phrase before the quotation/summary and PAGE CITATIONS in parentheses after the quotation/summary. (We will cover the basic MLA quotation and citation rules in class soon.)

Preparation and Ideas to explore:

Use the readings from Connections and your research online for appropriate quotations and relevant passages/details to support your own points.

Prompt:

People are often stereotyped on the basis of skin color, hair color, gender, age, or other characteristics. Describe a stereotype that has been applied to you or to someone you know. Once you have presented the stereotype, explain why the stereotype does not apply to you or the person you know. For example, you might be an athlete who is also an excellent scholar or you may know a blonde woman who is quite intelligent. How does knowing the real person help break the stereotype?

Grading Criteria:

· You will be graded through a grading rubric, which looks for effective Organization, adequate Development, and correct Mechanics, as well as the paper layout format.

· Use lots of specific examples or concrete details to support your view. Generalized ideas are not convincing enough.

· Be careful to edit your final draft for spelling, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, shifts in point of view, number, subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent disagreements, etc.

· Good Luck !!

InSync

Standard Essay Outline Format

Essay 1 “Self and Diversity”

Name: __________________________________________________

Introduction:

1. Background Information/Hook/Attention Grabber:

_______________________________________________________________________

2. Thesis Statement:

_______________________________________________________________________

Body Paragraphs:

1. Subject Segment: Describe a situation when/where you (or someone else) felt “different” or were “stereotyped”

Details:

_______________________________________________________________________

2. Subject Segment: Your initial response to the situation/perception or the people who made you (or that someone else) feel this way?

Details:

_______________________________________________________________________

3. Subject Segment: Your analysis of the perception: Was it justified? Do you (or that someone else) fit the stereotype? Explain with details.

Details:

_______________________________________________________________________

Conclusion: If you had a chance to explain to the person/or people stereotyping, what would you say to help them see through it?

_______________________________________________________________________