“Somebody” Synthesis
Essay, Prompts 2 & 3
Due Monday, February 10
Task: In Alice Walker’s 1982 novel, The Color Purple, when
Mr. _________ discovers that Celie is leaving him to strike out on her own, he
declares, “You black, you pore, you ugly, you a woman. Goddamn, he say, you
nothing at all” (Walker 206). Based on several of our in class readings, your
personal observations and experience, and your independent research, write an
essay in which you answer the question, “What does it mean to be somebody in
America?” and / or “How does one become somebody in America?”
Support your claim with direct quotations from multiple
texts (a minimum of six sources, at least three of which must come from class independent research), properly
formatted in MLA style.
Typed. Double Spaced. Twelve point. No blank lines between
paragraphs, except to indicate a major shift in tone or setting. Four - seven
pages. Don’t forget a title.
Required:
-
Underline and label examples of three different
rhetorical strategies
- A minimum of two synthesis paragraphs
- A minimum of six sources
- A minimum of three sources from independent
research
- A minimum of four body paragraphs
- Properly formatted Works Cited Page
Audience: 1) The editor of a nationally published magazine.
2) The well-educated readers of that magazine. 3) Yourself.
Purpose: 1) To explore the definition of success in America and / or 2) To explore strategies for achieving success in America and / or 3) To explore the
relationship between identity and success and / or 4) To suggest a plan of action for
the future.
How to approach this paper:
- Develop an opinion on this subject.
- Gather evidence (from our texts and from
research) to support your opinion. This is an argument; therefore, personal experience is valid evidence and
first person is an acceptable POV (when used effectively).
- Create clear, defensible topic sentences.
- Draft paragraphs with two pieces of evidence to support
your topic sentences.
- Draft paragraphs with an eye towards ethos,
pathos, and logos.
- Proofread to ensure your quotations are properly
formatted and cited. For this essay, “you will need to include the author’s
name in your parenthetical citation” (Kline 1).
- Create your Works Cited page.
