Fear Synthesis Prompt

Fear Synthesis Essay

Due Monday, November 7th

Task: Considering several of the pieces we have read in this unit, write an essay that answers the question, “How has fear shaped the American psyche?” In order to answer this question, you’ll need to clarify your understanding of the American psyche, examine several moments of profound fear in our country, and make connections between those moments and our country’s current state of mind. Support your claim with direct quotations from multiple texts (a minimum of three sources from class, plus two additional sources from 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. Three – six pages. Don’t forget a title.

Required:

·      Underline and label examples of three different rhetorical strategies.

·      A minimum of two synthesis paragraphs.

·      A minimum two additional sources from independent research.

·      Properly formatted Works Cited Page.

Suggested: End with a plan of action for the future. How can we / should we most effectively respond to fear? Employ anaphora in your conclusion.

Audience: 1) The editor of a nationally published magazine. 2) The well-educated readers of that magazine. 3) Yourself.

Purpose: 1) To explore historical reactions to frightening events. 2) To draw conclusions about the impact of those reactions on contemporary society. 3) 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 quotations 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.