THE FORMAL ESSAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORMAL AND
THE FORMAL ESSAY
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FORMAL AND INFORMAL Usually Written Spoken in Official, Public Situations Like Speeches Usually Spoken Everyday, Personal Conversations, Films, Games, Talk Shows Written in Songs, Dialogues in stories, Texts, Some Emails
What is the First Step? 1. Pick Your Topic § What type of essay are you writing? o Narrative—Telling A Story o Expository—Facts / Definitions / Explanations / Cause and Effect / Theme / Analytical o Descriptive—Painting A Picture o Persuasive—Argumentative
2. What Are the Specific Assignment Requirements?
3. Writing Process § § § Brainstorming Outline Writing Editing Publishing
Twelve Angry Men Essay The play 12 Angry Men offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One problem is picking a jury without bias or one that will not discriminate against the defendant. Another problem brought to light is the effectiveness of a public defender. Finally, another issue greatly examined in the play was the concept of “reasonable doubt. ”
For this summative assignment, you have the option of picking from two essay prompts. After choosing which essay prompt you would like to discuss you will need to complete a 3 page (600 Word) typed, multi-paragraph, MLA formatted essay that fulfills the following requirements: Multi-paragraph Include at least three quotes / examples from the text (play) Correctly site the text within essay Include a MLA Works Cited Page
1. What examples of prejudice or bias can be found in this play and how did they affect the Jury’s decision on whether or not the defendant was guilty or not guilty? Discuss at least two jurors’ roles in this process—how each contributed either negatively or positively.
2. Reasonable doubt is a standard of proof used in criminal trials. When a criminal defendant is prosecuted, the prosecutor must prove the defendant's guilt Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. If the jury—or the judge in a bench trial—has a reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt, the jury or judge should pronounce the defendant not guilty. Use at least three examples from the play where reasonable doubt was evident and presented.
Let’s Brainstorm!
THE INTRODUCTION
ATTENTION GETTER Connection Context THESIS STATEMENT
ATTENTION GETTER • Direct Quote • Definition • Startling / Surprising Statement or Fact (Often a Direct Quote) • Anecdote (Usually Funny… but can be Sad—Story) • General Intro to Topic—Not Your Thesis • Stay Away From Questions…
CONTEXT / CONTENT • Connect Attention Getter With Topic • Add Any Background Information Needed • Typically A Couple of Sentences
THESIS • Main Idea / Purpose of Essay (What you are Proving) • Debatable • Makes A Claim Ø Fact or Definition Ø Cause and Effect Ø Value Ø Solution
When Writing Essays With Literary Analysis Use… For Your Thesis Statement
Focus Author’s Name Title of Work Text Type
FOCUS Brief Plot Summary and the Author’s Main Point / Moral / Thesis
Author’s Name • Always Use the Author’s Full Name the First Time You Mention Him / Her • After the First Mention—Use the Author’s Last Name
Title Of Work • Books / Novels / Plays / Magazine Titles / Web Sites / CD Titles are Italicized • “Article Titles” / “Poems” / “Essays” / “Song Titles” are in Quotes
TEXT TYPE • What Type of Text? • Be Specific… Novel, Play, Etc…
FATT Elements Can Appear In A Variety of Orders… The Importance Is That You Have Each Element
EXAMPLE: A Judge's opening instructions tell a jury that a man has been accused of murder and his fate is to be determined by these jurors. Immediately, readers are launched into a world where the ultimate objective is to complete the "grave responsibility" of determining a man's innocence and guilt, the heart of the American justice system. Reginald Rose, in his play Twelve Angry Men, offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One specific problem is the lack of jury members taking this responsibility seriously.
EXAMPLE: A Judge's opening instructions tell a jury that a man has been accused of murder and his fate is to be determined by these jurors. Immediately, readers are launched into a world where the ultimate objective is to complete the "grave responsibility" of determining a man's innocence and guilt, the heart of the American justice system. Reginald Rose, in his play Twelve Angry Men, offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One specific problem is the lack of jury members taking this responsibility seriously. ATTENTION GETTER
EXAMPLE: A Judge's opening instructions tell a jury that a man has been accused of murder and his fate is to be determined by these jurors. Immediately, readers are launched into a world where the ultimate objective is to complete the "grave responsibility" of determining a man's innocence and guilt, the heart of the American justice system. Reginald Rose, in his play Twelve Angry Men, offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One specific problem is the lack of jury members taking this responsibility seriously. CONNECTION / CONTEXT
EXAMPLE: A Judge's opening instructions tell a jury that a man has been accused of murder and his fate is to be determined by these jurors. Immediately, readers are launched into a world where the ultimate objective is to complete the "grave responsibility" of determining a man's innocence and guilt, the heart of the American justice system. Reginald Rose, in his play Twelve Angry Men, offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One specific problem is the lack of jury members taking this responsibility seriously. F. A. T. T
BODY PARAGRAPHS
ASSERTION • A Confident and Forceful Statement of Fact or Belief Ø DO NOT WRITE…. I Believe, I Think, In My Opinion, Etc… • Topic Sentence of Paragraph—Portion of Thesis You Intend to Prove And Support With Paragraph
CITED TEXTUAL EVIDENCE • Typically, A Direct Quotation From the Text • Cited Means Including the Author / Title and Page Number Quote is Found • The Page Number Appears as a Number Only in Parentheses AFTER the Quotation Ø Do NOT use in Setup: “On page 123…. ”
NOTES on QUOTES… • Find Quotes that Provide Evidence to Support Your Argument • Does the Quotation Related to Your Thesis? • Does the Quotation Relate to Your Assertion?
NOTES on QUOTES… REMEMBER—whenever you use a direct quote or even if you paraphrase information, you need to be sure to “set” it “up” correctly—DON’T JUST “DROP” YOUR QUOTE!
BEFORE QUOTE: CONTEXT Explain the idea / point that you want the quote to prove. RELEVANCE (This is Called ATTRIBUTION) Where was it said? Who said it? When was it said? (If Applicable). Cite the Quote / Paraphrase
AFTER QUOTE: SIGNIFICANCE Make sure the reader understands the importance of the quote Show it relates to the overall PURPOSE
EXPLANATION • In Your Own Words… Connect the Cited Textual Evidence to the Assertion and Thesis Statement • The Final Sentence Should Conclude the Paragraph by Answering the Question: Why Should the Reader Learn About This? Or Why is This Information Important? —DON’T WRITE… “The reader should learn about this because…” or “This is important because…”
EXAMPLE: (Introduction) A Judge's opening instructions tell a jury that a man has been accused of murder and his fate is to be determined by these jurors. Immediately, readers are launched into a world where the ultimate objective is to complete the "grave responsibility" of determining a man's innocence and guilt, the heart of the American justice system. Reginald Rose, in his play Twelve Angry Men, offers readers a glimpse at several problems within the American judicial system. One specific problem is the lack of jury members taking this responsibility seriously.
EXAMPLE: (Body Paragraph) Several jury members in the play Twelve Angry Men have no desire or feel any obligation to even discuss the case that was presented in the play. Juror #7 enters the deliberation room and just wants to get the job done. He states, “This better be fast. I’ve got tickets to—” (13). He has no intention or interest in discussing the fate of a young man’s life; he only cares about himself. This selfishness is a horrible injustice to the boy on trial who deserves a fair and just ruling.
EXAMPLE: (Body Paragraph) Several jury members in the play Twelve Angry Men have no desire or feel any obligation to even discuss the case that was presented in the play. Juror #7 enters the deliberation room and just wants to get the job done. He states, “This better be fast. I’ve got tickets to—” (13). He has no intention or interest in discussing the fate of a young man’s life; he only cares about himself. This selfishness is a horrible injustice to the boy on trial who deserves a fair and just ruling. Assertion
EXAMPLE: (Body Paragraph) Several jury members in the play Twelve Angry Men have no desire or feel any obligation to even discuss the case that was presented in the play. Juror #7 enters the deliberation room and just wants to get the job done. He states, “This better be fast. I’ve got tickets to—” (13). He has no intention or interest in discussing the fate of a young man’s life; he only cares about himself. This selfishness is a horrible injustice to the boy on trial who deserves a fair and just ruling. Cited Textual Evidence
EXAMPLE: (Body Paragraph) Several jury members in the play Twelve Angry Men have no desire or feel any obligation to even discuss the case that was presented in the play. Juror #7 enters the deliberation room and just wants to get the job done. He states, “This better be fast. I’ve got tickets to—” (13). He has no intention or interest in discussing the fate of a young man’s life; he only cares about himself. This selfishness is a horrible injustice to the boy on trial who deserves a fair and just ruling. Explanation
CONCLUSION
Thesis Restated • Restate Your Thesis in a NEW Way
Application • Summarize Main Points—DO NOT Repeat Your Body Paragraphs— Show How Points / Support / Evidence All Tie Together
Clincher • Leave Reader With an Interesting Final Impression / Powerful Statement
EXAMPLE: (Conclusion) A horrible injustice is created when jury members do not take their jobs seriously or adequately review a case before deciding a verdict. Reginald Rose in his play, Twelve Angry Men, made this overwhelmingly clear through the behaviors of jury members #7, #12 and #2. One of the greatest aspects of the American judicial system is the process of a fair trial and the option of being tried by peers rather than just one judge. This system is invalid however, when jurors are too busy with their own needs and gross injustice is committed by this selfishness.
EXAMPLE: (Conclusion) A horrible injustice is created when jury members do not take their jobs seriously or adequately review a case before deciding a verdict. Reginald Rose in his play, Twelve Angry Men, made this overwhelmingly clear through the behaviors of jury members #7, #12 and #2. One of the greatest aspects of the American judicial system is the process of a fair trial and the option of being tried by peers rather than just one judge. This system is invalid however, when jurors are too busy with their own needs and gross injustice is committed by this selfishness. Thesis Restated
EXAMPLE: (Conclusion) A horrible injustice is created when jury members do not take their jobs seriously or adequately review a case before deciding a verdict. Reginald Rose in his play, Twelve Angry Men, made this overwhelmingly clear through the behaviors of jury members #7, #12 and #2. One of the greatest aspects of the American judicial system is the process of a fair trial and the option of being tried by peers rather than just one judge. This system is invalid however, when jurors are too busy with their own needs and gross injustice is committed by this selfishness. Application
EXAMPLE: (Conclusion) A horrible injustice is created when jury members do not take their jobs seriously or adequately review a case before deciding a verdict. Reginald Rose in his play, Twelve Angry Men, made this overwhelmingly clear through the behaviors of jury members #7, #12 and #2. One of the greatest aspects of the American judicial system is the process of a fair trial and the option of being tried by peers rather than just one judge. This system is invalid however, when jurors are too busy with their own needs and gross injustice is committed by this selfishness. Clincher
MLA—FORMAT • • • Times New Roman Font 12 PT. Double Spaced 1” Margins Works Cited Page—Title Centered—Each Entry Starts Left Alignment / Next Lines Tabbed Once
GATHERING SOURCES When Creating a Works Cited Entry for Books: • Author. • Book Title. • Publisher, • Publication Date. Author. Book Title. Publisher, Publication Date.
Rose, Reginald. Twelve Angry Men. Dramatic, 1955.
FYI… When Creating a Works Cited Entry for Online Article: • Author. • “Title of Article. ” • Web Site Title, • Publisher, (If Different From Web Site Title) • Date Published, • URL. – No Hyperlink Author. “Article Title. ” Web Site, Publisher, Date, URL.
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