Honors Assessment: The Big Question Essay
Directions
Compose a well-organized, thorough essay that answers the assigned question with clarity and thoughtfulness.
Essays must include at least three sources:

At least two sources must be works read and discussed in class: Provide references to specific characters,
events, settings/communities to illustrate your ideas [references must be specific and must originate from
both class sources]

At least one source must be a work of your own choosing/discovery [poem, song, essay, editorial, short
story, novel]: Provide at least two direct text excerpts from your selected source to illustrate your ideas
[include appropriate in-text citation].
Question
What defines us human beings as human? If those defining traits are altered or manipulated, do we cease to
be human?
Discuss. Explore. Explicate. Assert. Elaborate. Theorize. Speculate. Affirm. Elucidate. Synthesize.
Due Dates

Thursday, May 19: Thesis Statement
Construct a thesis statement that specifically addresses the given prompt and guides the reader’s
expectations for the essay’s content. A full introductory paragraph may be submitted for the purpose of
receiving additional/comprehensive teacher feedback.

Monday, May 23: Outside Source / Source Connection Sheet
Seek and select an appropriate source to illustrate your viewpoint. Fill out Source Connection Sheet.

Friday, May 27: Rough Draft

Friday, June 3: Final Essay
Final essays must include a bibliography that lists all sources used/referred to within the essay.
Bibliography must be MLA formatted. Submit hard copy of essay to Miss Olis and electronic copy to
turnitin.com. Outside sources must be printed and submitted – unless novel or short story – with hard
copy essays.