Please compose a 500-word (minimum) essay based on your reading and Choice A or Choice B.
Choice A
In “The Ugly Truth about Beauty,” humorist Dave Barry argues that men and women think of their looks differently
and that much of this perspective is caused by childhood activities. Do you agree or disagree with Barry’s
causation argument? Please begin your response by composing a thesis-last introductory paragraph that begins
with a 3-5 sentence summary of Barry’s essay. Be sure to mention his full name and title in your summary, as I have
done above. The last 2-3 sentences of your intro paragraph must make the shift from your summary of Barry’s
argument to the thesis sentence of your argument about whether or not men and women view themselves
differently and what causes those different views of beauty. Please try to use an “although” clause to form your
thesis.
Your body paragraphs may build upon or respond to what Barry has already shown, but consider using the second
paragraph to sincerely demonstrate your knowledge of an opposing view. At least one of your body paragraphs
must feature your own unique supporting example. Sketch a rough outline for each paragraph.
You must also quote Barry 2-3 times in your essay. But don’t just “dump” his words into your essay. Please use a
signal phrase and MLA parenthetical page references with your quotes, as shown on your handouts in your book, to
insert his voice smoothly and accurately. 1. Set up the quote. 2. Insert it. 3. Play off of it. (See below)
Choice B
In “Struggling for Perfection,” teacher Amy L. Beck argues that sexually explicit images of women have had a
negative effect on women physically and psychologically. Do you agree or disagree with Beck’s causation
argument? Please begin your response by composing a thesis-last introductory paragraph that begins with a 3-5
sentence summary of Beck’s essay. Be sure to mention her full name and title in your summary, as I have done above.
The last 2-3 sentences of your intro paragraph must make the shift from your summary of Beck’s argument to the
thesis sentence of your argument about what has caused so many women to “struggle for perfection.” Please
try to use an “although” clause to form your thesis.
Your body paragraphs may build upon or respond to what Beck has already shown, but consider using the second
paragraph to sincerely demonstrate your knowledge of an opposing view. At least one of your body paragraphs
must feature your own unique supporting example. Sketch a rough outline for each paragraph.
You must also quote Beck 2-3 times in your essay. But don’t just “dump” her words into your essay. Please use a
signal phrase and MLA parenthetical page references with your quotes, as shown on your handouts in your book, to
insert her voice smoothly and accurately. 1. Set up the quote. 2. Insert it. 3. Play off of it. (See below)
MLA Signal Phrasing and Page Referencing (see 315-17 in your book)
 Example: According to scholars Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar, biographical information presents Gilman as "a
rebellious feminist besides being a medical iconoclast" (1467).
• Example: Biographical information presents Gilman as "a rebellious feminist besides being a medical iconoclast"
(Gilbert and Gubar 1467).
Keeping Your Voice Yours
Using the most effective part of a quotation as part of one of your own sentences will result in a stronger style. Instead of
quoting the entire piece, use more of your own text.
• Instead of--To describe Arnold Friend, Oates says, "He spoke in a simple lilting voice, exactly as if he were reciting
the words to a song" (1057).
• Consider--Oates describes Arnold Friend's voice as "lilting...as if he were reciting the words to a song" (1057).
Please also put your lessons on parallelism, coordination, and subordination into practice.
Ideally, your essay will end with a Works Cited list. In other words, you should do this because you are citing Barry or Beck
(or maybe both). See your book’s example at the end of the Aretha Franklin student essay. Your entry will be based on the
WORK IN AN ANTHOLOGY example. Here is a guideline for the example in your book in your book:
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's
Name(s). Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Pages.