Introduction to College Reading and Composition II (ENGL 060)
Essay #5 Assignment Sheet
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to write a developed essay in which
you argue for your stance on a topic using the readings for support or rebuttal.
Rough Draft Due Date: April 11, 2011
Final Draft Due Date: April 18, 2011
Required Reading: “Inaugural Address” by Barack Obama
“The Color of Success” by Eric A. Watts
The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore
Topic:
In the afterword of The Other Wes Moore, Wes Moore says, “Above all, I hope that this book can provide
young people with a way to identify with success as a possibility, and a reason to believe that a story that begins
with struggle, apathy, and the pain of loss can have a happy ending” (183).
Later, in the “Call to Action” on p.185-186, Tavist Smiley sums up what he believe the message of the book is
by saying, “Failing doesn’t make us a failure. But not trying to do better, to be better, does make us fools”
(185). He urges us, the readers, to internalize the message of the text and figure out a way our lives to take
action in some way. As he states, “My call to action, our call to action is this: read these words but, more
important, absorb their meanings and create your own plan to act and leave a legacy” (186). In many ways the
entire book is a call to action, from the stories to Wes Moore’s closing in his acknowledgments: “Elevate…”
Assignment:
Consider what you feel are the most difficult obstacles facing the youth of today and the possible ways that such
obstacles might be overcome. Consider, as well, what your definition of success is. Write an essay where you
argue what YOU THINK are the most important actions we as a society, or an individual, can do to help
the at-risk youth of today in order to help them “identify success as a possibility.” Draw on support from
Wes Moore and from at least one other required reading (Obama and/or Watts). You can also draw on your life
experience and any other readings that might be applicable. This essay should be based on your point of view,
and use the readings as a way to support your points. You can approach this in a number of different ways. For
instance you might want to address youth in general or youth from a specific population that you are familiar
with. You might want to address the assignment in terms of what you feel you personally can do or perhaps
what you feel society, the government, or any other group of people should do. HINT: Don’t try to solve
every problem – focus on something relatively specific.
Introduction to College Reading and Composition II
Essay #5 Planning Sheet
Directions:
Use this sheet to help you through the process of writing your essay.
Stage 1 Pre-prewriting
What questions do you have about the assignment? Write your
question(s) and then the answer(s). If there are no questions, write that you did
not have questions. DO THIS ON THE TOP OF THE REFLECTION SHEET.
Stage 2 Prewriting
Begin to explore the topic of your essay by freewriting, brainstorming, using
Inspiration or doing anything else that will help you generate ideas.
Stage 3: Outlining
Write out an outline.
I.
Paragraph #1 Introduction
Write a sentence or two introducing the topic of empowering today’s
youth (you might want to be more specific if that is how you are
approaching the assignment). Write about two sentences summarizing
Wes Moore’s book. Write about one- two sentences summarizing
Obama’s speech and/or Watt’s essay. Write a brief comment stating what
you think of each author’s ideas. Then, write a thesis statement stating
your position on what the most important actions we can take to encourage
today’s youth.
II.
Paragraph #2: This paragraph should be well-developed and focus on
your first point. Use specific examples (in the form of quotations) from
the text(s) as well as examples and arguments of your own.
III.
Paragraph #3: This paragraph should be well-developed and focus on
your second point. Use specific examples (in the form of quotations) from
the text(s) as well as examples and arguments of your own.
IV.
Paragraph #4: This paragraph should be well-developed and focus on
your third point. Use specific examples (in the form of quotations) from
the text(s) as well as examples and arguments of your own.
V.
Paragraph #5: This paragraph should be well-developed and focus on
your fourth point. Use specific examples (in the form of quotations) from
the text(s) as well as examples and arguments of your own.
VI.
Paragraph #6 Conclusion
Re-state the thesis. Use one of the conclusion-writing strategies we
learned in class.
Stage 4: Drafting
Write a rough draft of your essay.
Stage 5: Reflecting on your Essay
Complete the Reflection Sheet for this essay.
Stage 6: Peer Review
Bring three copies of your rough draft to class the day it is due. Also,
bring all of the supporting materials (pre pre-writing, pre-writing, outline
and reflection sheet). Participate in the Peer Review.
Stage 7: Revising/Final Draft
Incorporate the changes you have decided to make based on the Peer
Review. Proofread for any careless errors.
Stage 8: Submitting your Essay
Submit your rough drafts, final draft and grade sheet in a folder. Place the
rough drafts on the left-hand side and the final draft and grade sheet on the
right-hand side. Make sure that the rough drafts are clearly labeled as
such.
Introduction to College Reading and Composition II
USE THIS AREA FOR YOUR PRE-PREWRITING:
Essay #5 Reflection Sheet
Directions:
After you have finished writing the final draft of your essay, answer the following questions.
1. What do you like best about the essay you wrote?
2. What was the most difficult part of writing the essay? What did you do about it?
3. What do you think this essay will reveal about (a) your strengths as a writer, and (b) the areas you
need to improve?