Idea of identity.

English 1A

In-Class Essay 2

(one hour, 25 pts.)

Choose one of the following prompts and answer it in essay form, using quotations as you develop your thesis statement with your supporting paragraphs. You should spend 10-20 minutes on a rough outline of the essay, and you should write the introductory paragraph (including the thesis) and at least two body paragraphs in the remaining time allotted.

1. Choose three readings, and, using quotations and analysis, compare/contrast how they explore tradition. Your thesis shouldn’t just mention tradition; instead it should say what comparing/contrasting the readings shows you about tradition that you can impart to your reader.

2. Choose three readings, and, using quotations and analysis, compare/contrast how they explore the idea of identity. Your thesis shouldn’t just mention identity; instead it should say what comparing/contrasting the readings shows you about identity that you can impart to your reader.

3. Choose three readings, and, using quotations and analysis, compare/contrast how they explore colonialism. Your thesis shouldn’t just mention colonialism; instead it should say what comparing/contrasting the readings shows you about colonialism that you can impart to your reader.

4. Choose three readings, and, using quotations and analysis, compare/contrast how they explore perceptions of nature. Your thesis shouldn’t just mention perceptions of nature; instead it should say what comparing/contrasting the readings shows you about perceptions of nature that you can impart to your reader.

Here is a list of the readings that you can use to develop your essay:

Lameris, “O Darkness,” pgs. 1-2                                                 Najarro, “To My Childrens,” pgs. 3-5

Oliver, “My Mother,” pgs. 7-12                                                  Goleman, “The Group and the Self…” pgs. 13-17

Clifton, “i was born…” and “in 1844…”pgs. 19-23                 Russell, “St. Lucy’s Home…” pgs. 25-37

Kimmerer, “Putting Down Roots,” pgs. 39-46                      Meldahl,“Winter’s Chill” and “Black Hills,” 48-54

Muir, from My First Summer in the Sierra, pgs. 55-60       Duane, “Goodbye Yosemite…” pgs. 61-73

Pascoe, “The Imperial Mind,” pgs. 75-80                                                Walker, “We Alone” and “Be Nobody’s…” pg. 81

As you discuss the readings that you’ve chosen, you may want to point out how the essays are written, what techniques the authors are using to make their points. Here is a list of the techniques we discussed in class:

specific, detailed description                                      examples

narrative (a story from one’s own life)                   research (quotations, details, surveys, studies)

organizational structure                                                a sense of purpose

logical reasoning                                                               style (the type of language and sentences)

comparison and/or contrast                                        analysis/questioning

definition of concepts or key terms                        appealing to the reader’s emotions

tone                                                                                      invoking the author’s own expertise

Good luck and enjoy the process!