Writing a Good Paper Real World Writing General

Writing a Good Paper Real World Writing

General Rules • Don’t waste words. • Tell what your point is up front. • Give plenty of proof. • In the real world, people are busy and want to know your point. Make your point and make it with lots of proof and clear examples.

1999 Prompt • The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Sterne wrote, “No body, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man’s mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time. ” • From a novel or play choose a character (not necessarily the protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well -organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict within one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole.

Two competing desires… • I’m thinking that Beneatha would be a logical choice, but so could the rest… – Beneatha: inner conflict—identity? – Ruth: inner conflict—mother or wife? – Mama: inner conflict—keep dreaming or settle? – Walter: inner conflict—pride or sell out?

If Mama… “identify each of the two conflicting forces” Keep Dreaming (take risks): – ”highminded thing” – get out of the South – have house with a garden – didn’t intend to stay in the apt for more than a couple years Settle (for safety): – no time – social restrictions – wanting to give Walter $/freedom to be a man

Two forces… • In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama is torn between her dream of a free and peaceful home for her family and the financial and social limitations that would prevent her from achieving this. • This shows the two sides that Mama would have to choose from.

How they illuminate the work • Mama’s conflict reflects the real dilemmas that many African-Americans faced in the midtwentieth century, often forcing people to choose between safety and freedom. • Mama’s dilemma represents the choice faced by a huge number of people. This connects to the larger culture/context that the PLAY as a whole was addressing (African-Americans attempting to move beyond injustice in a changing world)

Thesis Drafting • All together now… – In A Raisin in the Sun, Mama is torn between her dream of a free and peaceful home for her family and the financial and social limitations that would prevent her from achieving this. Mama’s conflict reflects the real dilemmas that many African-Americans faced in the mid-twentieth century, often forcing people to choose between safety and freedom.

Remember… Argumentative Writing Thesis Rules (from Packet O’ Fun) 1. Write to a new reader. 2. Use strong, clear language. 3. Argue about something worth arguing about. 4. Address the question or prompt provided.

Paragraph Structure • First Paragraph – The first sentence is thesis of the paper. It tells what the whole argument is about. • Body Paragraphs – Each body paragraph has a thesis sentence (tells what the paragraph is about). The rest of the paragraph PROVES/EXPLAINS why thesis (point of the paragraph) is true/relevant. • Conclusion – Revisit thesis paragraph