Finding Common Ground

The Assignment
Please write a 5–6-page essay that argues for an interesting and meaningful comparison between a key theme of your choosing from the book “I Was Once You” by Maria Hinojosa, and your own life.
A successful essay should:
• Be 5-6 pages long
• It must persuasively explicate that a key theme found in Hinajosa’s book has resonance in your own life by drawing a meaningful comparison between the two. In what way(s) does this text speak to you about the world you live in? Contrast may be used here but only in the service to a larger comparison.
• The essay must assert a central thesis that will be focused on a single main comparison and its significance based on your analysis about the similarities between the book and your own life. This thesis must be demonstrated with a succinct claim found on the first page that is supported and developed by the rest of essay. It also must be revealed through the dominant impression you create.
• It must provide detailed information and a probing analysis about the chosen subject that is learned through thoughtful comparisons and research. This information should be explicated effectively through multiple appropriate explanatory strategies, such as definition, comparison-contrast, classification, illustrative examples, and cause-effect. It should also use quotes, summaries, and paraphrasing.
• It must introduce appropriate sources, justify their use, and integrate them smoothly in the essay. While summary of a resource is always welcome, there must be at least two uses of quoting to demonstrate your ability in using them appropriately. The resources must be cited correctly both in the parenthetical citations and works cited page. Do not fall into the trap of overpacking the essay with too many resources or allowing these resources to take the place of the writer’s own voice.
• It must employ a minimum of four different sources (with at least one being Hinajosa’s book) up to a maximum of six. Do not exceed the limit of six sources. These resources must only come from academic peer-reviewed essays found on JSTOR or Academic Search Complete, books, and/or at most two movies or TV episodes. I highly urge you to consider your readings in other courses. I will not accept interviews, surveys, websites, blogs, magazine articles, or newspaper resources to serve as any of the required sources. Anecdotes and observations can be used in the paper in addition to the required research. Do not list anecdotes and personal observations to your working bibliography nor works cited page.
• It must utilize multiple illustrative examples and offer a sustained vivid voice when conveying the analysis. Examples should be presented with vivid description, detailing, and word choice that evokes multiple senses and utilizes figures of speech to enliven the prose and create a dominant impression related to your thesis. Writers must go beyond simply telling the reader about the subject – they must show the subject and allow the reader to experience it. Be sure to sustain your descriptive voice throughout the entire essay.
• It must have a clear, logical, and narrowly focused topical organization of either chunking or sequencing. Topic sentences are crucial for this essay as signposts that help direct the reader, and effective transitions are critical in stitching the disparate arts together to achieve unity. Choose an organization that is both understandable and interesting.
• A proper MLA works cited page must be included. The works cited page does not count towards the page total.
• Adhere to MLA format style and be sure to proof your work. The essay invites verb tense problems, fragments, and fused sentence errors, so be sure to edit.

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