Comic Strip or Political Cartoon Analysis
Comic Strip or Political Cartoon Analysis
You are required to submit the FINAL copy of this assignment, but you may first submit an optional DRAFT. This will allow you to receive qualitative feedback that can inform your revision. You should always avoid focusing solely on the grader’s DRAFT feedback; use the feedback as a supplement to the course lessons and your own revision ideas. Always expect the revise beyond what the DRAFT grader specifically notes.
You have two options for this assignment:
Option #1: Analysis of an Individual Comic Strip or Political Cartoon
Choose one comic strip or political cartoon. If you visit the website of a newspaper such as The Baltimore Sun, The New York Times, The Washington Post, etc., you should be able to search for comic strips or political cartoons easily.
Which techniques does the creator of the comic strip use? How does the creator make his/her point in the comic strip? What do we learn about the characters and/or ourselves from this comic strip or political cartoon? If colors are available, what do they tell us about this comic or cartoon? What language is used and how can that be interpreted?
And importantly, which of the key terms from the topic lesson can you discuss in your analysis? For example, how of elements of imagery, symbolism, metaphor, and/or irony help reveal the cartoon’s message?
As with all academic essays you write in this course, this essay should have a well-defined introduction with a thesis statement, body, and conclusion.
In essence, what are some of the physical elements present in the cartoon1 – characters, text, colors, etc., along with figurative elements such as metaphor and symbolism, that help to explain the cartoon’s message? It can be helpful to focus on a single element in the cartoon in its own body paragraph (including the element in the topic sentence and in the thesis) and describe how it portrays the cartoon’s message before moving to the next cartoon feature in a new paragraph.
Sample Thesis Statement: “John Smith uses (add one element from the cartoon), (add a second element from the cartoon), and (add a third element from the cartoon) to show (add the cartoon’s message).”
1A successful analysis will go beyond the obvious, literal elements of the cartoon and will analyze figurative elements, too. Use the course topic lessons to inform your analysis.
Option #2: Analysis of Multiple Comic Strips or Political Cartoons
Choose two political cartoons or comic strips created by the same person. Which techniques does the creator of the political cartoons use? How does the author make his/her point in the political cartoons? What do we learn about the characters and/or ourselves from these political cartoons? How does the language transmit the creator’s message? Using a comparison or contrast mode of development, draw conclusions about the techniques the author uses in the political cartoons and how they apply to our lives. As with all academic essays you write in this course, this essay should have a well-defined introduction with a thesis statement, body, and conclusion.
Use the point-by-point or subject-by-subject structure to compare and contrast about three to five elements found in the cartoons that help to explain how they apply to our lives or to a message present in today’s society. After you compare and contrast each paragraph, be sure to explain the message those elements and the cartoons help to depict.
Sample Thesis Statement: “John Smith’s cartoon strips Cartoon 1 and Cartoon 2 use (add one element from the cartoon), (add a second element from the cartoon), and (add a third element from the cartoon) to explain (add the cartoon’s message).”
Be sure to document the cartoon or comic strip on a Works Cited page. Please visit the following source for citing an electronic image: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 4 Assignment
Frankenstein Critical Analysis Evaluation Essay
Note: Please review the source guidelines below very carefully. If you do not choose from the provided sources below, this will cause a grading delay and you will need to resubmit the assignment.
For this assignment, you will write your evaluation essay. You are required to submit only your final draft for this assignment (though we encourage all students to take advantage of the additional feedback a draft can provide). Use the grader’s feedback and the rubric to make revisions to your draft before submitting the final. Your second draft will be graded.
Now that you have completed Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, you are in a good position to consider what critics have written about the novel. You will need a total of two critiques (also known as critical analysis essays) for this assignment.
First, use the selection of links below to locate a critical analysis essay written about the 1818 version of Mary Shelley’s novel. You may focus most of your attention on this first critique. If the author of your critique is not specified, focus on the publication of the critique.
Choose from among these sources:
Romantic Circle’s Critiques:
Critique 1
Critique 2
Critique 3
Critique 4
Critique 5
Critique 6
Professor Naomi Hetherington’s critique
The questions in the study guides should have helped you evaluate this criticism in your head. Now it’s time to write it down!
Your evaluation may go more smoothly if you approach the guiding questions in this order:
Evaluate the critic/author:
Who wrote the criticism you read? What credentials does the author have? (If you are using a valid source, you should be able to find these easily)
Find the thesis of the article:
What is the thesis of the critical article you’ve chosen? What point does the author want to make about Frankenstein?
Evaluate the thesis:
Do you agree with this thesis? Why or why not? We’ve covered many ideas in the study guides. Can you find points within the guides that support your agreement or disagreement with the critical writer(s)? Look for new supporting information rather than revisiting the same ones the critics have chosen.
Evaluate the support:
Whether you agree or disagree with the thesis, does the critic provide sufficient research from the text and outside references to make a strong case? What does the article have for support from the text or outside sources? In your opinion, what makes these references valid? Do you feel the author uses this support properly?
Next, locate a second critique about the novel that includes ideas somewhat similar (genre classification, for instance) to any of the discussions you have in your essay. The second critique can either support or refute any of the claims in your paper. The objective of this portion of the essay is to further support your opinion of the primary critic’s thesis or support. Therefore, for example, if you choose a secondary article that refutes any of your claims, you will need to counteract those ideas to bring the focus of your essay back in alignment with your essay’s thesis (your personal opinion of how the primary critic is either or in his or her thesis claim and/or how the first critic is either effective or ineffective in his or her support). Every discussion in this essay should ultimately support the claim you make in your thesis.
For instance, if the first critic argues that Shelley’s writing is juvenile, and if you agree, does the second critic also support this thesis? How so? If the second critic does not support your assessment of the first critic’s thesis, what evidence can you use from the text to argue that the second critic is ? Consider another example: if the first critic believes the novel is autobiographical, and if you disagree, does the second critic help you argue your own view of the first critic’s thesis? If so, how? Perhaps the second critic disagrees with your view and feels the novel is autobiographical– if that’s the case, be prepared to use evidence from the text to refute the second critic’s thesis and support your own argument. Using two critiques in this way will allow you to create a polished, comprehensive Evaluation Essay that allows you to connect your own ideas to those of seasoned critics.
In addition to addressing each of the evaluative components above, develop your essay so it has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You must include an evaluative thesis statement in both the introduction and the conclusion. Ensure that each of your claims is supported with valid evidence from the literary criticism you have chosen; the novel, Frankenstein; and/or the study guides.
Using proper MLA style, insert parenthetical citations for all borrowed information in addition to a Works Cited page for Frankenstein and your chosen literary critiques; you are not required to cite the study guides if you use them.
Helpful Hints: For a thesis statement, try answering a question like: How and how well does this piece of criticism state and support its argument regarding Frankenstein?
You might use these as possible guidelines in crafting your thesis statement:
(Critic, aka author of the critique) uses (add critic title) to (add an adjective to describe the effectiveness of the argument such as “adequately” or “inadequately”) argue that (add critic’s thesis) by (explain why and/or include your support).
OR
(Critic)’s (add critique title) (add an adjective to describe the effectiveness of the argument such as “adequately” or “inadequately”) argue that (add critic’s thesis) because (explain why and/or include your support).
More specific thesis examples:
John Smith uses “Frankenstein Critique Essay” to adequately argue that Victor’s mother created the first monster by coddling Victor as a boy.
OR
John Smith’s “Frankenstein Critique Essay” does not effectively argue that Victor’s mother created the first monster because the novel Frankenstein too strongly supports inherent good or bad, which means nurturing roles cannot be held responsible.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 5 Assignment
Frankenstein Application Essay
The Frankenstein Application Essay
Literary works like Frankenstein explore the “human condition” or experiences that humans encounter. The study guides for Frankenstein offer several “Real Life Considerations” meant to help you critically analyze the applications of the work’s themes in today’s world. Now, you will choose one of these topics and explore it using secondary resources to learn more about the novel and its relevant social topics. You might find information about social issues in familiar sources such as magazines, newspapers, or social science journals. Make sure your sources are credible – you do not want a random website or an encyclopedic website such as Wikipedia.2 Your sources will preferably be scholarly ones. Here are some ideas of places where you might find appropriate sources for this assignment:
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/ (note that this is different from regular Google)
Microsoft Academic Search: http://academic.research.microsoft.com/
Cornell University’s arXiv (open access sources in math, biology, physics, and other fields): http://arxiv.org/
Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE): https://www.base-search.net/
Your local library
Your thesis statement and paper must address both the literary qualities and the social issues as you evaluate the novel, Frankenstein. However, keep in mind, your essay does not have to answer ALL of the questions listed under each topic. Only answer the questions you feel are the most relevant to the thesis statement you choose. Develop your essay so it has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Ensure that each of your claims is supported with valid evidence from the novel, Frankenstein, and at least three other credible external sources.3
Using proper MLA style, insert parenthetical citations and signal phrases for all borrowed information in addition to a Works Cited page for Frankenstein and your chosen external sources.
You have several options for this assignment:
Option #1: Can science go too far?
There is an ongoing battle between faith or spirituality and science that has been active even before the time of Mary Shelley. What are some of the dilemmas she addresses that are still important today? What are some of the ethical questions she brings up regarding the scientific definition of life and death? What does she illustrate about the power science has to blur the line between life and death? What is a current news item that is similar to this issue?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address ethical issues of science and/or faith for audiences, regardless of when they read the novel?”
Option #2: Discovery
Both Frankenstein and Walton are trying to discover something important to them. What parts of their real lives drive them to discovery? Does that drive still exist today? While we’ve mapped the globe, are there still geographical places for people to explore? In science, are people still trying to discover the meaning of life, how to save life, and how to defeat death? What methods do they use? Are there better ways to accomplish these goals than others? What are some of today’s motivations for discovery?
Note: Develop a thesis that answers questions like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address human discovery as a theme?”
Option #3: World Perception and Prejudice
Reread the paragraph where the creature describes the book from which Felix teaches Safie. It begins: “The book from which Felix instructed Safie was Volney’s Ruins of Empires…”
What are some of the perceptions and prejudices from the book that Felix teaches Safie? How have these perceptions and prejudices changed, if they have, in today’s society? What are some present-day situations and references that may claim a lack of prejudice or an open-mindedness, but, in fact, are still very prejudiced, racist, sexist, etc.? Why do you think these situations still happen? Can anything be done about it?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address human prejudice in the world throughout time?”
Option #4: Personal Perception
It could be argued that the creature did not consider itself a monster and didn’t do awful things until people treated him like a monster. What are some real-world instances in which people’s actions could be a reaction to abuse from others? Who do you feel is accountable in these situations? Why?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address the effect of peer perceptions on personal development?”
Option #5: Death and Suicide
At the end of the book, the creature promises to destroy himself. Is this a justifiable end for him? Could he have been redeemed? Would he have had a place in the world of Shelley’s novel? How could this relate to current-day issues like suicide or the death penalty?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address the value of an individual’s life and death?”
Option #6: Nature vs. Nurture
The creature argues that had someone properly guided him, he would not have been so wretched. Frankenstein4 argues that the creature was evil to begin with, so it would have been useless to teach him at all. What are some current debates – especially in education – where these kinds of arguments still arise? How much of behavior of you think is based on nature (how a person IS) and how much is based on nurture (what a person LEARNS or EXPERIENCES)? What examples from the present support your opinion? What do you feel is the truth? Why?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein address existing personality traits versus how a person is taught to act?”
Option #7: Feminism
The feminist perspective is often explored in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. How are the women characters treated in the novel? What perceptions of women did Shelley use and comment on? How did she handle the theme of motherhood?
Hint: Develop a thesis that answers a question like this one: “How and how well does Mary Shelley incorporate responses to feminist issues into the novel, Frankenstein?”
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 6 Assignment
The Interview
Writing Exercise: Interview Summary/Synthesis
This assignment is designed to help inform a topic that interests you, and the information you gather here will be used in your Proposal Letter assignment.
For this assignment, you should be interviewing a person who has expertise about a topic you are interested in. Please note that you should be conducting an actual interview; you should not be summarizing an interview conducted by someone else.
Part #1: Choose a Research Topic and an Interviewee
You do not need to submit this portion in writing, but you do need to accomplish this in preparation for your research assignment.
In preparation for your research proposal letter in the next topic, you will need to choose a topic for your proposal. This research proposal letter will be directed to an audience who can create change (Congressperson, business administrator, or other similar audience). In the proposal, you need to suggest a change or a solution to a current problem. Examples of strong proposal topics would be things like funding ideas for an animal shelter, starting a recycling program in a community, suggesting a better plan for public transport, or another idea that interests you. You will be proposing solutions for these issues. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and for which you will be able to develop at least one solution. While this information should be enough for you to choose a topic, please consult the assignment sheet within Topic 7 if you have more questions about this assignment.
Once you choose a topic, it’s time to choose a credible expert to interview on that subject. In other words, you should avoid choosing an interviewee who is a close friend or family member unless that person truly is an expert in the field. This credible expert should have 10+ years of experience in his or her discipline. Choose an interviewee who not only could offer some specific details about the problem but one who may also be able to offer suggestions of a plausible solution. Use the information contained in the lesson presentation to secure and conduct a successful interview.
Part #2: Summarize and Synthesize Your Interview
When you summarize and synthesize, you take the smaller pieces (the sections of the interview) and develop them into one cohesive piece. Doing this exercise will help you prepare for the research proposal letter, where you will need to incorporate at least a few ideas from the interview.
To successfully summarize and synthesize, you might find it helpful to follow this sequence for your essay:
1) Provide Background Information:
In your introductory paragraph, introduce your audience to your interviewee. What is his/her name? What is his/her experience? if relevant, where is the interviewee employed?
2) Summarize the Interview:
While you want to avoid the all-too-predictable question and answer format, you should provide information about what you learned from the interview. Take a look at your original questions, group them into categories, and use those categories to build your body paragraph(s). Also, you may note the interviewee’s reactions in your summary as well. Was the interviewee nervous about answering a question? Did he/she seem knowledgeable in the subject matter? Make this summary work for you by including whatever details and responses you feel are important and will help you when you write the research proposal.
3) Synthesize the Interview:
In the conclusion, synthesize the interview. To synthesize just means that you should consider all of the information you gathered from this interview and draw conclusions. What did you learn from the interview? How did the interviewee and/or the interview help you gain a deeper understanding of your topic? Other findings?
No source citations are required for this assignment, but please review the rubric to get a better idea of how you will be assessed.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 7 Assignment
Proposal Letter
Research Proposal Letter
For this assignment, you will write your research proposal letter. You are required to submit only your final draft for this assignment (though we encourage all students to take advantage of the additional feedback a draft can provide). Use the grader’s feedback and the rubric to make revisions to your draft before submitting the final. Your second draft will be graded.
This research proposal letter will be directed to an audience who can create change (Congressperson, business administrators, or other similar audience.) In the proposal, you need to suggest a change or a solution to a current problem. As you have already chosen a topic for your research proposal letter in Topic 6 and conducted an interview that will become one of your sources for this letter, you do not need to choose a topic. You must use the same topic that you began researching in Topic 6, and you must use your interview as a source.
Your research proposal should be presented in a letter format including the following information:
• Your mailing address (Note: For privacy reasons, you may opt to not disclose your mailing address when you submit your letter to our graders for review; however, should you choose to mail your letter to your chosen recipient, you will need to include your mailing address, as this is a customary business letter practice.) Note that a formal letter does not require your name in the header. Your name will go at the end, with your closing.
• The date you wrote the letter
• A name and mailing address for the individual to whom you are writing the letter
• A greeting or salutation
• A closing and your typed name (Note: A written signature is optional for your submission, but should you choose to send your letter, you would need to include your written signature between the closing and your typed name.)
Scroll to the end of these instructions for an idea of how you should format this assignment.
To organize this information, follow the format included in the course site in the “Assignments” area.
For your proposal, follow this organizational framework:
For your researched proposal, follow this organizational framework:
• Introduction: The Problem
Identify the problem, including researched information to explain it fully. You may devote more than one paragraph to describe the problem if needed. To determine the extent of the information you must provide about the problem, consider the letter recipient’s understanding of the problem.
• Body: Your Proposal
Explain the specifics of your proposal. What are your solutions to solve this problem, step by step? What is the cost? How is this cost incurred? What ideas do you have for funding your proposal?
Justify your proposal. How will your proposal solve the problem? Why is this proposal feasible?
Concede or refute the counterarguments: Will the letter recipient have certain
preconceived ideas about the subject? How can you address these counterarguments without diminishing your argument? Note: You will lose points from the rubric if you do not address the counterargument.
• Conclusion: Your Argument
Take into consideration your chosen audience and his/her interests. Use persuasive
techniques to align your proposal to the audience’s ideals. You may use more than
one concluding paragraph if needed.
See the end of this document for more specific information about formatting your letter
appropriately.
You are required to use source information, including ideas you learned from the interview
process wherever it will prove your point. In addition to the interview itself, you should have
at least two other credible sources, for a total of at least three sources. Note: If you do not
meet the source minimum, the rubric will automatically be scored down.
Since this is a letter, you will use signal phrases (i.e., “As Fugle describes…”) and omit
parenthetical citations (“Fugle”). You must include a Works Cited page for this assignment.
Good, informative signal phrases will be important in order to make sure your sources are
credited (example: “Fugle, a well-known environmental researcher, explains the problem
by…”).
As with all college writing, you must include a strong thesis statement and take care to avoid
logical fallacies while following the other standards for academic writing.
You might use this as a guideline in crafting your thesis:
Valley City should (add solution suggestion), which (add how it can be funded) and (add justification),
although (add counterargument focus).
Here is a more specific example:
Valley City should (use its largest abandoned warehouse for a new recreational center to hold before
and after-school programs), which (can be conveniently funded by the tax stream that was being
used to construct Main Street until this point), and will (provide the final element—housing—in order
for local schools to also implement a before-school program(, and although (some community
members do not believe before- and after-school programs are necessary(, they should (review the
high number of students apprehended by law enforcement during the hours before and after-school
programs would operate).
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 8 Assignment
Writing Assignment: Media Analysis
You are required to submit the FINAL copy of this assignment, but you may first submit an optional
DRAFT. This will allow you to receive qualitative feedback that can inform your revision. You should
always avoid focusing solely on the grader’s DRAFT feedback; use the feedback as a supplement to the
course lessons and your own revision ideas. Always expect to revise beyond what the DRAFT grader
specifically notes if you want to improve your score.
For this media analysis, you will analyze how one part affects the whole media production.
Note that you should select only a single piece of media; you should not be discussing more
than one film, for example. You should choose one1 of the following parts to explore:
? Genre: Explain how the production you chose fits into its genre.
? Camera: Analyze how the camera’s use (camera angles, for instance) affects the
overall production.
? Lighting: Describe how lighting is used to enhance or detract from the production.
? Actors/Characters: Analyze how the actors OR the characters themselves enhance or
detract from the production.
? Symbols: Explain what the symbols are and how their usage affects the overall
production.
? Music: Describe how the music enhances or detracts from the media production.
? Sound Effects: Analyze how the sound effects enhance or detract from the
production.
? Special Effects: Explain what special effects are used and how they affect the viewing
experience.
? Comparison to a Literary Work: (Note: This option may only be chosen if the film you
chose is also in print form.) How are the book and film similar? How are they
different? Which is better, and why?
Your purpose in this assignment is to explain how or why something works; therefore, you
should not include a full summary of the media production. Instead, you can provide context
where needed so the reader understands what is happening. The body of the essay must
1 Please review the rubric and note that you will not earn full credit if you analyze more than one of these
components.
focus on your analysis. You can use the ideas contained in the Media Analysis lesson
presentation and the Writer’s Handbook link to help you.
As with all college writing, your essay should have a strong thesis statement in addition to an
introduction, body, and conclusion.
Other than your chosen film, television show, and/or book, you are required to cite at least
one other credible2
source for this essay. This resource from the course will help you
understand more about evaluating sources. Moreover, if you use specific information from
the media production and/or print source, such as a quotations, you should include your
chosen media source on your Works Cited page, too. Use proper parenthetical citations or
signal phrases, and be sure to include MLA documentation and a Works Cited page for this
assignment (this resource from the course will help).
Review the rubric to see how your work will be assessed on this assignment.
Thesis hints: You might use these guidelines in crafting your thesis:
If you are analyzing elements in a production:
In (add your one chosen production), (add character 1), (add character 2), and (add character 3) were
used to (add how they enhanced the production or explained the production’s message).
OR
If you are comparing/contrasting a book and film:
(Add book) contained (add one aspect that made the book better than the film), but (add film) used
(add one aspect that made the film better than the book) and (add a second aspect that made the
film better than the book) to better capture the reader’s imagination.
Here are more specific thesis guidelines:
If you are analyzing elements in a production:
In the movie The Lorax, the characters Lorax, Once-ler, and Alocius O’Hare were used to show how environmentalists are fighting against profit-driven industries that are harming the environment and depleting natural resources.
2 Please note: Basic dictionary sources, user-edited websites (e.g., Wikipedia, eHow, etc.), and sites that house databases of quotations are not considered “credible” sources. You will lose points in the Research category of the rubric if your sources aren’t credible.
OR
If you are comparing/contrasting a book and film:
Even though the characters were portrayed mostly the same across the book and the movie in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight, the setting in the movie was much more detailed, which made the movie a much better overall experience compared to the book.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 9 Assignment
Writing Assignment: Illustration Essay
You are required to submit the FINAL copy of this assignment, but you may first submit an optional
DRAFT. This will allow you to receive qualitative feedback that can inform your revision. You should
always avoid focusing solely on the grader’s DRAFT feedback; use the feedback as a supplement to the
course lessons and your own revision ideas. Always expect to revise beyond what the DRAFT grader
specifically notes.
In short, an illustration essay will use clear, interesting examples to show, explain, and
support a thesis statement (remember, your thesis is your main argument, or the main
point you’re trying to make). One key to an effective illustration essay is to use enough
details and specific examples to make your point effectively. In other words, descriptive
writing is key.
You have several options for this assignment, so you will need to choose one:
? Illustrate the ideal work environment. If everything was perfect at work, what would
it be like? Describe everything in this environment—perhaps from the dispositions of
your coworkers and supervisors to what clothes you wear to work.
? Illustrate what it means to be a “true friend.” What does being a “true friend” mean
to you? What “true friends” have you had, and how do their actions coincide with
being your definition of a “true friend?”
? Illustrate how your favorite team or player received their current standing or
ranking. How did the team or player do in the most recent season? What qualities did
this team or player demonstrate to earn this ranking?
? Look at your favorite poem or short story, and use illustration to explain what
makes it your favorite. Do you enjoy the author’s language? Do you enjoy the
storyline? What else do you enjoy that makes it your favorite?
? Illustrate the purpose of props on the set of your favorite media production. What
props are there? Why are they important?
? Illustrate how to create your favorite dish. What steps are required to create this
dish? Be sure that you take your audience through this process step by step!
? Illustrate how to play your favorite game. What steps and/or actions are necessary
to play this game? Take your readers through the motions, step by step.
The questions above are designed to help you begin brainstorming ideas; however, you are
free to develop your own brainstorming questions and use them to develop your essay.
Since the purpose of this essay is to illustrate, you should have enough specific details and
examples for your essay to be considered an illustration essay.
Many illustrations may come from your personal experiences. However, even personal
experiences should be supported by research in college essays. Thus, you must cite at least
one credible1 source to earn maximum credit for this essay. This resource from the course
1 Please note: Basic dictionary sources, user-edited websites (e.g., Wikipedia, eHow, etc.), and sites that house
databases of quotations are not considered “credible” sources. You will lose points in the Research category of the
rubric if your sources aren’t credible.
will help you understand more about evaluating sources. Failure to use and cite at least one
credible source will result in a point deduction from your grade. Properly cite your source(s)
in MLA format and include a Works Cited page (this resource from the course will help).
Review the rubric for this essay to get an idea of how your work will be assessed.
As with all college writing, your essay should have a strong thesis statement in addition to an
introduction, body, and conclusion.
Thesis hints: Here are some general and specific examples of how you might think about your
thesis for this assignment:
General:
If you are illustrating qualities that make up something:
In order for a friend to be considered a true friend, he or she must be (characteristic 1), (characteristic
2), and (characteristic 3).
OR
If you are illustrating a recipe:
(Add a range of ingredients), (add major utensils needed), and (add time necessary) are all that are
required to make (add dish).
Specific:
If you are illustrating qualities that make up something:
In order for a friend to be considered a true friend, he or she must be loyal, honest, and trustworthy.
OR
If you are illustrating a recipe:
Fresh produce, mixing utensils, and about a half an hour are all you need to create excellent
guacamole.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 10 Assignment
Writing Assignment: Classification Essay
You are required to submit the FINAL copy of this assignment, but you may first submit an optional
DRAFT. This will allow you to receive qualitative feedback that can inform your revision. You should
always avoid focusing solely on the grader’s DRAFT feedback; use the feedback as a supplement to the
course lessons and your own revision ideas. Always expect to revise beyond what the DRAFT grader
specifically notes.
The Classification assignments requires you to organize a topic into categories and then
provide examples of what characteristics fit into each category.
You have several options for this assignment, so you will need to choose one:
? Classify the types of writers
? Classify the types of bosses/supervisors
? Classify the types of monsters
? Classify the types of characters
? Classify the types of heroes
? Classify the types of dance
? Classify the types of teachers
? Classify the types of roommates
? Classify the types of dates
? Classify the types of mothers
Keep in mind that these are general topics. You may need to further subdivide these general
topics in order to have a specific enough topic for your essay. For instance, dance may be
divided into cultural dances, for one, and then even further into Mexican dances. Famous
guitarists could be divided into rock guitarists, and then further into bass guitarists.
Regardless of the topic you choose, you will need to identify its classifications and provide
enough evidence to prove that your classifications are . This evidence (details,
reasons, and/or examples) needs to be corroborated by at least one other credible1
source.
Failure to use a credible source for support will constitute a point deduction. This resource
from the course will help you understand more about evaluating sources.
Properly cite others’ ideas and language according to MLA guidelines (this resource from the
course will help). If you use any exact words from your source, you must put those exact
words in quotation marks and included a parenthetical citation. If you put source material
into your own words (i.e., if you paraphrase), you will not need quotation marks, but you will
need a parenthetical citation. Make sure that your parenthetical citations correspond to the
works cited entry. In addition to the evidence, you must explain how the evidence you
present proves that your classifications are .
1 Please note: Basic dictionary sources, user-edited websites (e.g., Wikipedia, eHow, etc.), and sites that house
databases of quotations are not considered “credible” sources. You will lose points in the Research category of the
rubric if your sources aren’t credible.
To make your classifications clear, examine only one classification per body paragraph. The
body of the essay should follow a logical progression. You may choose to organize your essay
based on any one of the following:
? Move from the least important classification to the most important classification
? Move from the most important classification to the least important classification
? Move from the largest category to the smallest one
? Move from the smallest category to the largest one
? If the classifications occur in a set space, move from left to right OR right to left
? If the classifications occur in a set space, move from back to front OR front to back
As with all college writing, your essay should have a strong thesis statement in addition to an
introduction, body, and conclusion.
Here is an idea of how you might introduce your essay if you were classifying types of sports
fans2
: On a clear, warm evening in June, thousands of Americans might be getting ready to
watch a baseball game. These fans may stop by concessions to grab a hot dog and cold drink
before ambling to their seats, and they might be in the grandest arena or in the smallest of
baseball parks. But regardless of location, any given baseball game will find among its fans
the following three types: the Fair-weather Fan, the Diehard Fan, and the Newbie.
Tip: Notice how this introduction provides vivid description of the scene while preparing the
reader for what the main focus will be.
As seen in the example above, you might use this as a simple guideline in crafting your thesis:
The three most ubiquitous baseball fans are the (first fan type), the (second fan type), and (third fan
type).
The guidelines for this assignment are as follows:
Length: This assignment should be at least 500 words
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 1 Quiz 1.1
Question 1A Biography of Joanelle Ricoshay is most likely a fictional piece.
True
False
Question 2Reading and responding is an intellectual response to literature.
True
False
Question 3 To successfully interpret a text, you might do ANY ONE of the following:
1. Look at the plot.
2. Look at the setting.
3. Look at the number of “big words” the author uses.
4. Look at the point of view.
True
False
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 1 Quiz 1.2
Question 1Frankenstein’s mother died of scarlet fever which she caught from Elizabeth.
True
False
Question 2What does Frankenstein do when he first sees that his creation is alive?
a. He yells “Eureka!” and celebrates.
b. He runs away and goes to sleep.
c. He introduces himself and begins to work with the creature.
d. Nothing–he is too surprised to move.
Question 3It was Frankenstein’s choice to go to school in Ingolstadt as he was excited about the professor’s there.
True
False
Question 1What might be the moral of the poem?
a. That dogs are better than people
b. That dogs are like weather, ever changing
c. That sometimes it is better to appreciate what we have than to mourn what we cannot do
d. That often is better to feel upset and despondent over simple things than to find solutions.
Question 2In the story, the milk symbolizes _____________.
a. Hardship
b. Goal in life
c. Difficulty
d. Restraint
Question 3Breaking the big branch down into smaller pieces could symbolize:
a. how Sally’s life is falling apart at home.
b. that Sally’s sister will die without milk.
c. tackling big problems one moment or piece at a time.
d. focusing only on the precious things in life
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 2 Quiz 2.2
Question 1When the creature discovers that taking part of the DeLacy’s food store causes them suffering, he…
a. takes more, his selfishness and cruelty an innate part of his nature.
b. begins to hunt rabbits, squirrels, and other small creatures, and leaves his left overs on their doorstep.
c. no longer takes from them, instead living off of berries, roots, and nuts he finds nearby.
d. abstains as much as possible, going many days without food and succumbing to hunger and taking more only when he feels he cannot go on another hour.
Question 2After the creature tells Frankenstein his tale and requests he makes him a companion creature….
a. Frankenstein is eager to start the task as he is confident immediately that this is the solution to both his and the creature’s suffering.
b. Frankenstein is unsure. He is moved by the creature’s story, but every time he looks at him, he is again moved by disgust and distrust, and questions the creature several times before agreeing.
c. Frankenstein tells the creature he must think on the matter further and promises to meet him again in the same location in two weeks’ time with an answer.
d. Frankenstein outright refuses. He and the creature argue at great length about prospect and still Frankenstein cannot be convinced. It is not until the creature threatens to kidnap Elizabeth that Frankenstein complies.
Question 3Victor Frankenstein considers himself the true murderer of William.
True
False
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 3 Quiz 3.1
Question 1Match the character with his obsession.
Victor Frankenstein
Answer 1
The creation of life
Robert Walton
Answer 2
Pioneering travel to the North Pole
The Creature
Answer 3
Society and personal relationship
Question 2Henry Clerval insists on joining Frankenstein on his travels. Why does Shelley include him?
a. He provides comic relief.
b. He is a link to Frankenstein’s past life, a symbol of what he left behind.
c. For the irony of including Frankenstein’s rival and enemy.
d. To make the setting more believable.
Question 3Walton finds a northern trade route to the Americas.
True
False
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 4 Quiz 4.1
Question 1Remembering TAVE will help you write a good analysis section of your evaluation essay. What does TAVE stand for?
a. Thesis, Argument, Values, and Evaluation
b. Theories, Argument, Veracity, and Essay
c. Theories, Assumptions, Values, and Evidence
d. Timeliness, Assumptions, Veracity, and Evidence
Question 2Skimming, reviewing and organizing, and noting the audience are all strategies that help you…
a. determine the purpose.
b. write your conclusion.
c. determine how the elements work.
d. evaluate the thesis.
Question 3What is the purpose of an evaluation?
a. To summarize
b. To make a decision
c. To compare
d. To give examples
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 4 Quiz 4.2
Question 1Which character is most like Prometheus in the myth?
a. Henry Clerval
b. The creature
c. Victor Frankenstein
d. Robert Walton
Question 2Prometheus’ fire of the gods is like the spark of life Frankenstein gives his creation.
True
False
Question 3Both Prometheus and Victor hate their creations and abandon them.
True
False
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 4 Quiz 4.3
Question 1Which of the following best describes Victor Frankestein’s personality?
a. He is focused and driven at whatever he dedicates himself to.
b. He is kind and gentle, attentive to all.
c. He is a quiet, introverted scholar, more interested in reading than in doing.
d. He is athletic, fit, and energetic, except during brief, intense illnesses.
Question 2After finishing work on his creature, Frankenstein spends the following year…
a. living in fear of his creature, second guessing every encounter and shadow, refusing to socialize or write home.
b. regaining his health and good spirits, spending a lot of time with Clerval studying languages and showing him around.
c. trying to return to Geneva, but being prevented from doing so due to treacherous weather and sabotage from his creature.
d. finishing his studies and writing long, detailed love letters to Elizabeth about his hopes for their future life together.
Question 3Who is telling the story?
a. Walton is retelling a story he heard from Frankenstein.
b. Walton is telling it by the fire as a ghost story to amuse his sister.
c. Frankenstein is writing this story as a memoir.
d. Shelley is telling the story; the narrator is the same as the author.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 5 Quiz 5.1
Question 1When focusing on the plot in a literary analysis, it is acceptable to retell the story by briefly summarizing it.
True
False
Question 2Using what you know about thesis statements, which of the following is the best thesis statement if the writer wants to focus on the plot and structure?
a. First, George noticed that the cake was missing from the countertop, so he decided to ask his friend what happened to it. His friend said that he didn’t remember seeing the cake when he came in. This makes George wonder even more what happened to the cake.
b. Seamlessly weaving flashbacks into present-day action, the author creates a unique story of the events that occurred during the Holocaust in Nazi Germany.
c. The two characters, Hector and Walter, decided to build a campfire.
d. The author uses many metaphors, such as the computer search, to represent an aspect of Wilhelmina’s life.
Question 3This is a strong thesis statement, focusing on the plot.
In the story “The Willow and the Willowtree,” the author includes only one human character, Newton.
True
False
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 6 Quiz 6.1
Question 1What does DANVRS stand for?
a. 1) Deadlines
2) Asking Questions
3) Nodding Helpfully
4) Verification
5) Research
6) Soliciting Advice
b. 1) Due Diligence
2) Appropriate Questions
3) Nodding Helpfully
4) Verification
5) Risk Taking
6) Summarizing
c. 1) Due Diligence
2) Appropriate Questions
3) Narrative Script
4) Verification
5) Relationship
6) Summarize
d. 1) Due Diligence
2) Appropriate Questions
3) Narrative Script
4) Verification
5) Risk Taking
6) Soliciting Advice
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 7 Quiz 7.1
Question 1The body paragraphs should each explain one reason that the grade is unfair rather than explain one step in the process of getting the grade.
True
False
Question 2The purpose of the letter is to….
a. convince the teacher that the wrong grade was given in hopes of receiving a higher grade.
b. demonstrate the process the student went through in writing the essay in hopes of receiving a more fair grade.
c. express the importance of proofreading and peer review in the essay writing process in hopes of educating the teacher on proper assessment techniques.
d. convince the teacher they are a poor reader in hopes that they return to school and learn the modern day slang and lingo of their students.
Question 3Which organizational pattern does the body section follow?
a. Description
b. Chronology
c. List
d. Classification
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 8 Quiz 8.1
Question 1Which of the following would be an acceptable element to focus your media analysis on?
a. Camera work
b. Lighting
c. Acting
d. Identifying the Genre
e. All of these
Question 2Which of the following situations would classify as a climax?
a. Kendra is starting her first day of volleyball camp, and the camera descends on her and those individuals who would be her teammates for the next month. In the background, the narrator tells us important information about Kendra, who is the main character.
b. A special effect “boing” is heard as a new character joins the scene quickly changes the otherwise quiet beach scene.
c. After viewing several short clips of different riding competitions with music in the background, the scene dissolves to an entrance of a new horse riding competition. We can tell from the sign posted above the entrance that Trisha has finally reached her goal: the Nationals.
d. A penguin waddles into an animated film scene to join his other penguin friends.
Question 3Which of the following would be an acceptable focus for a Media Analysis?
a. retelling the plot scene by scene
b. describing how much you enjoyed watching the movie
c. evaluating what critics said about the work
d. explaining in detail how sound effects enhance the experience
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 9 Quiz 9.1
Question 1Which of the following is an example of an illustrative and descriptive statement?
a. The low growling sound echoed throughout the abandoned warehouse.
b. Abandoned warehouses are frightening places.
c. Since abandoned warehouses are so dangerous, do not visit one.
d. The first step in entering an abandoned warehouse is to check for any creatures that may be hiding.
Question 2Which of the following offers an illustrative statement that details a cause and effect?
a. When the rain falls down so fast it feels like hail and sounds like a waterfall, the soft flower beds simply melt away under its force.
b. The flowers are so delicate and thin that the sun shines through their quite easily.
c. The daisies look as though they’ve been electrically shocked compared the planned and delicate weaving of rose petals.
d. The flowers smelled of springtime.
Question 3Which of the following is an example of an illustrative thesis statement that would be considered a literary criticism?
a. Ursula K. LeGuin’s Left Hand of Darkness is often criticized as not being feminist enough because of the use of the “he” for genderless beings, the use of existing masculine political structures of capitalism and communism, and the fact most of the story is told from the male protagonist’s point of view.
b. If you’re looking for a good book to read, look no further than Ursula K. LeGuin’s Left Hand of Darkness!
c. Ursula K. LeGuin’s Left Hand of Darkness appeals to a wide variety of readers.
d. While it is rightly criticized, Ursula K. LeGuin’s Left Hand of Darkness offers its readers something that other stories do not.
ENG102 English Composition II
Topic 10 Quiz 10.1
Question 1Gracie mentions to you that her instructor said this about the skiing information in the third paragraph:
“This information about skiing is interesting, but it doesn’t work.”
Why would Gracie’s instructor say this?
a. Gracie’s instructor hates skiing, so he doesn’t want to read about it in an essay.
b. Her instructor wants Gracie to develop a new paragraph about snow skiing.
c. Gracie’s instructor noticed several misspellings and makes it clear that her audience won’t understand her ideas.
d. Her instructor knows that currently, the information about skiing does not prove Gracie’s thesis statement.
Question 2This statement works well for the conclusion because it brings new information, an essential component of developing a strong concluding paragraph:
While driving in the snow is often difficult and downright dangerous, having the opportunities to have snowball fights and build snow creatures makes up for it.
True
False
Question 3Based on the descriptions of wet snow, dry snow, and medium-wet snow, Gracie used this characteristic to classify the types of snow:
a. Coloration
b. Size and shape
c. Moisture levels
d. Method of formation
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