Assignment #1 (Short Essay)
This short essay is a response to the readings from the first four weeks (up to 2/10) of the course. It is best if you stick with one concept or idea as this is a short writing piece and you need enough space to develop your argument. (Don’t just summarize the readings. Look at the main concepts in the readings, how these are described, how the different authors describe events, how the agree or differ, etc. – again, the essay is not a summary of the readings, instead we want to hear your reactions to the readings, how you understand the concepts).
Use formal writing conventions so that we can properly assess your comprehension, writing skills, and use of writing conventions.
Use direct quotations sparingly (do not fill the paper with quotes. You can paraphrase but do give proper attribution to the source. The quotes you cite should be in support of your argument, and not instead of your argument.
This assignment is due to Canvas by Sunday Feb, 13 at 11:59 pm (Minnesota time). Late assignments will incur a 10% penalty per day, so please don’t be late.
Document Layout
Put your name, email and what class you are in (CHIC1102)
310 to 350-word essay based on the reading material to date (that is equivalent to about 1 ½ pages).
Do not use a title page.
All essays should be double-spaced, 1 inch margins and use readable fonts like Times New Roman at 12 points.
When uploading to Canvas, use doc, docx, or pdf formats, we have to be able to read it!
The bibliography follows the text. Use a single style consistently (MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style). Cite the text you are discussing even if you do not use direct quotations from the text use (author, date)– do not put the whole title of the work in the text, do that in the bibliography.
If you need help with citations see https://apps.lib.umn.edu/instruction/citations/#/
, https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
(Links to an external site.)
, and if you need, consult the library and the Center for Writing at http://writing.umn.edu/
Content suggestions
These are only suggestions. Responses can address a variety of topics, but the writing must be formal, concise, and engage the course material(s) – the bulk of your writing must engage the course material(s).
1) Choose a direct quote from the material assigned and reflect on its significance for this course. Select material that inspires or challenges you.
2) Synthesize content found in one or more texts. Synthesis is the combination of diverse or seemingly disparate ideas.
3) Respond to the author’s thesis. For whom does the thesis most matter?
4) Why did we read this article, and why now at this point in the semester? How does it connect with other readings? What is new?
5) What are shared topics among pieces by Gonzalez, Ortiz, Levins Morales, Castañeda, and Martinez? Select two authors and respond to shared topics.
Last Completed Projects
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