Essay+Criteria

=__Essay Requirements__=

The 3.5 format is the standard format for all essays in the course.

Introduction Paragraph
I. You should begin your essay with **background information** about the piece of literature that you will be writing about. Your first sentence should have the author's full name, title of the work, and genre. Next, you should use 3-4 sentences to give a some general background information that will lead into your thesis statement.

II. "[There are] one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors, who have no aim beyond their facts, are one-story men. Two-story men compare, reason, generalize, using the labor of the fact collectors as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, predict; their best illumination comes from above, through the skylight//.//(Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., "The Poet at the Breakfast Table" 50) **The thesis**, usually expressed in one or two sentences, is the central, organizing claim of your paper. Holmes's distinction above between one-, two-, and three-story intellects is a useful way to think about your thesis. • A one-story thesis shows that you have read the material.• A two-story thesis commits to helping your reader better grasp what s/he may have missed.• A three-story thesis challenges your reader's understanding of the material and promises to broaden and deepen your reader's grasp of implications and significance." (Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center,Hamilton College, Clinton, NY) A one-story thesis may be adequate for some situations, but it is limited in scope, and your reader is unlikely to find a one-story-thesis challenging or engaging. Why stay on the ground floor when you can see the view from above? III. Your forecast can either be connected to your thesis statement or it can be a separate sentence. The forecast will illustrate to your reader the ideas that you will use to support your thesis statement. The forecast of a 3.5 essay should consist of 3 assertions. An assertion is a supporting idea that you will discuss in more detail in a body paragraph. Often your assertion will be reasserted in a topic sentence of a body paragraph.


 * Forecast** = This is the last component of your introduction paragraph. Think of what the word "forecast" means: "a prediction or estimate of future events, esp. coming weather or a financial trend." The forecast informs your reader of what they should expect to read within your body paragraphs. It also illustrates how you will be supporting your thesis statement. Your forecast includes your three assertions. An assertion is an idea that supports your thesis statement and will often be stated in a topic sentence. You should write one body paragraph for each assertion.

__**Body Paragraphs**__
A good body paragraph will have a clearly stated topic sentence that is a reflection from one of the three assertions in your introduction paragraph. Students frequently ask how many sentences should be in each paragraph. This is a difficult question for any teacher to answer; however, some teachers define a paragraph length of 8-12 sentences as sufficient. Most importantly, a paragraph must "present a **coherent argument** unified under a **single topic**" ( Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY):

"Regard the paragraph as the unit of organization for your essay (Strunk and White 15). Paragraphs can be of varying lengths, but they must present a **coherent argument** unified under a **single topic**. Paragraphs are hardly ever longer than one page, double-spaced and usually are much shorter. **Lengthy paragraphs** usually indicate a lack of structure. Identify the main ideas in the paragraph to see if they make more sense as separate topics in separate paragraphs. **Shorter paragraphs** usually indicate a lack of substance; you don't have enough evidence or analysis to prove your point. Develop your idea or integrate the idea into another paragraph." (N-JWC, Hamilton College).

__**Conclusion Paragraph**__
There are many strategies for a writer to conclude his or her essay. However, there are few basic rules one must follow in order to adequately bring closer to your ideas. According to the Nesbitt-Johnson Writing Center (Hamilton College), "the final paragraph plays such a key role in a paper, almost all writers struggle with writing conclusions. You might begin a conclusion by reminding the reader of your thesis and main points, but a conclusion is not a summary. A successful conclusion brings your argument to a logical close; it is where you justify your argument to the reader. Use your conclusion to describe the consequences of your argument, to answer the question "why is my argument important?" Think of a strategy that works best for you and your essay. To help you identify different closing strategies, check out the Hamilton Writing Center website.

=__**Grading Criteria**__=

All essay must be handed in on the day that the assignment is due. For every day that your assignment is late, you will lose 5%. I will not accept any essays submitted through email unless I explicitly tell you, so you must bring me a printed copy of your essay with the honor code and signed. When grading your essay, I look for:


 * Format - 3.5 (cover page, 5 paragraphs, clear structure)
 * Your introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion follow the guidelines stated above.
 * Your ideas are supported with clear explanations and evidence (quotations) that is properly cited.
 * You have a thorough understanding of the content
 * Correct use of the English language

Essays are worth 100 points. The final weight of your essays will be 40% of your final grade.

=**__Do not plagiarize!!!!__** If you have any doubts or questions about proper citations, please speak to me immediately.=