WR115 Fall 2007 Michael
Dembrow, Instructor
ESSAY #2: Using
Examples from the Text
We
humans embody our thoughts and feelings about the world in abstract concepts
such as “love,” “justice,” “heroism,” “cowardice,” and “responsibility.” A good way to explore and articulate your
beliefs and values is by attempting to define an abstract term and come up with
concrete examples of the term in action.
It is those examples that will help the reader to understand and be
convinced by your definition. For example,
in trying to define “poverty,” we will first need to be very clear about what
we mean by it (Are we talking about physical poverty? Intellectual poverty?
Spiritual poverty?
All three?), but to really make a reader share our understanding, we need
to come up with good, concrete examples of the kind of poverty we mean.
In
your second essay I'd like you to try to define an abstract concept, and use
examples and anecdotes (i.e., a brief story that has a point to it) to back up
your definition. You are free to choose
your subject matter, but you must prove your point by means of some
good, extended examples from the textbook or from the This I Believe series. I’d
like you to use at least three essays (one can be an audio This I Believe essay).
Think
of the concepts we’ve already come across in the readings this term: “community,” “a good parent,” “a poor
parent,” “poverty,” “heritage,” “shame,” “education,” and many more. Which one really resonates with you? Which one would you like to spend time
thinking about and writing about?
You will want
to come up with examples that really show that concept in action. Don’t go for the obvious--try to get the
reader to look at things in a new, more interesting way.
In your
discussion of each of the readings, you’ll want to first give a brief
summary of the reading, just so that the reader understands the context for
your examples. Then you’ll want to
discuss what the reading teaches us about the concept that you are exploring. This is the time for you to find a really
relevant quote or two.
You’ll
want to devote one or two paragraphs for each of the readings.
If
possible, I’d also like you to find a brief, relevant example from your
own experience to bring into the paper. (You
can of course use “I” when you do that.) This would be a great thing to have as
an introduction, as a way to draw the reader into the paper. You can also choose to use it as your
conclusion, after you have discussed the readings. Or, you can do both—use it as your introduction,
then come back to it for some final comments in your
conclusion. This kind of organization (using
your intro and conclusion to “frame” the paper) can be very effective.
The
success of your paper will be due to the clarity and convincing quality of your
examples. Remember, concrete, specific
detail is always the best way to bring an example to life.
Length: 500
words
Due: Typed
draft due April 30
Final
draft due May 9 (don't forget to attach rough draft)