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English 92
Prof Yi
Paper Project 2
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Adulthood & Language
Writing Instructions:
Please create a well-developed essay that contains an introduction ¶ with a main idea, 3 body ¶s and
conclusion ¶. Your essay must directly connect to a reading already discussed in class or lab.
You should refer to the reading by using summary, and/or paraphrasing whenever necessary and also
draw from your own personal experiences. You should also quote at least twice from the reading. Choose
one of the essay topics below that meet your interest:
A)Adulthood: Dilemmas & Burdens
“Predictable Crises of Adulthood” by Gail Sheehy, pp113 – 121, OR
“The Arrow of Time” by KC Cole, pp237 – 40, OR
“The Company Man” by Ellen Goodman, pp99 – 101
In the readings listed above, Sheehy, Cole and Goodman look at the challenges, dilemmas and
uncertainties we face when we become adults. They present interesting and fascinating ideas and
examples of these issues related to adulthood, like the different stages in life we encounter, the entropy we
face and work & family we must juggle. If you like this topic, please create an essay choosing one reading
& considering the following questions:
What does adulthood mean for you? What is the story about? What does the author say about adulthood or
something related to adulthood that you agree/disagree with. Why and how do you agree/disagree with the
author’s views? What personal examples can you give in support of your views that you share or differ from
the author’s views on adulthood? What are the values that we can learn from this specific reading and your
own input on it? Please follow writing instructions above when creating your first draft.
B)Humans Vs. Weasels
“Living Like Weasels” by Annie Dillard, pp297 - 301
“A weasel doesn’t ‘attack’ anything; a weasel lives as he’s meant to, yielding at every moment to the perfect freedom
of single necessity” (Dillard 301).
Annie Dillard, the author of “Living Like Weasels,” believes that we can learn a thing or two about the way
that weasels live their lives. In fact, she argues that weasels “[live] in necessity and we live in choice..”
What does she mean by this? Why does she compare humans and weasels? Do you agree with what the
author argues in her story? How so? What personal examples or examples from society you observe might
you give to support your ideas? Would society be better off if we all modeled our life after the weasel’s
attitude on living? Please follow writing instructions above when creating your first draft.
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C)Neat People Mean, Sloppy People Nice?
“Neat People Vs. Sloppy People” by Suzanne Britt, pp173 – 75
Suzanne Britt believes that neat people are actually “lazier and meaner than sloppy people” (Britt 173). She
actually gives interesting and compelling reasons to support her case for and against neat and sloppy
people.
What is a “neat” person? How about a “sloppy” person? Define those two terms. Do you agree with Britt’s
argument? What specific areas in the story stood out for you that relates to how you feel about the story?
Are neat people mean? Are they lazier than a sloppy person? What values do you want to show readers
after reading this story and presenting your ideas on it? Please follow writing instructions above when
creating your first draft.
D)Language: Power Through Communication
“Coming to an Awareness of Language” by Malcolm X, pp16 – 19, OR
“Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan, pp385 - 91
In both stories above, Malcolm X and Amy Tan talk about the impact and power of language. They also
show the ways in which we communicate with one another greatly affects how people perceive or view you.
While Malcolm X focuses on how he was able to learn and master the English language, Amy Tan focuses
on how English was seen differently from her mother’s point-of-view – that there is more than one way to
speak English. Please choose one the readings above to write about and consider the following questions:
What does language mean for you or why do we need to learn a language? What are your views on
communication? What did you learn from the writer or reading? What were you most intrigued by from the
reading? How was the author affected by language in the reading? What examples does the author give to
show their ideas on language? Can you personally relate to something the author experienced, either
firsthand or second-hand? What can readers take from the reading’s main message, as well as your final
message? Can this issue – if any at all – be less of an issue or problem in the future? If so, how can it?
What can we do as a society? Please follow writing instructions above when creating your first draft.
Checklist (Please make sure to include all these crucial areas):
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I have an introduction that includes summary [of topic & reading] and my main point I
will be addressing in my essay
I have three [or more] body paragraphs, each with a specific idea related to my main
point.
I have thoroughly discussed the author’s main ideas as it relates to my main point.
I have discussed my own ideas and/or experiences as related to the author’s ideas
and/or experiences.
I have included meaningful quotations in my essay that relate directly with my main
point.
I have written a conclusion that revisits/paraphrases my main idea and main points
made in my essay and takes into consideration the current/future state of the topic.
I have proofread my essay carefully, avoiding easily avoidable errors.