American Literature Final

American Literature Final Short Story Final Essay

Essay Formatting Requirements: All essays must be typed and follow MLA formatting  Heading will be located on the left side and will include:    

Name Teacher Name Class Due Date

(Your Name) (Mr. Nichenko) (American Literature) (25 May 2016)

 Margins:  All Margins should be 1 inch.

(Layout > Margins > Normal)

 Font Requirements:  Times New Roman  12pt.  Double Spaced

(Home > Paragraph > Line Spacing > Double)

 Page Numbers:  Include only Last name and number  Top right on page

(Insert > Page Number > Top of Page)

Essay Requirements: All essays must be typed and follow MLA formatting  Citations:  All quotations must have citations!  (author last name, page number)

(Nichenko, p. 10)

 Works Cited:  All sources must be displayed on the works cited page. Because you’re only going to use one story, your works cited page will be short. But I still want it.  Works cited page also includes page numbers.  We will review works cited pages and requirements as a class when ready.

 Online References:  Below is an amazing online resource that completely explains MLA formatting  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/

Essay Requirements: Burger Writing Structure  All essays must have 5 paragraphs.     

Intro (Thesis) Body: Argument Body: Argument Body: Counterargument Conclusion (Thesis)

- 2 sources - 2 sources - 1 source*

 Each Body Paragraph must have a clear topic sentence and two sources*.  Make sure each of your topic sentences support your thesis.  Make sure each of your sources support your topic sentences.  You should have 5 total sources.

Final Essay Question:  Review the three short stories and notes we have read in class.  “Greasy Lake” by T.C. Boyle  “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins  “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut

 Choose ONE of the stories and answer the follow question:

Essay Prompt: What is your short story’s message? And how does the tone illustrate your short story’s message?

Tone Understanding Definition and Review:  Definition:  Tone is a literary compound of composition, which shows the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, somber, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes.

 Example:  In her Harry Potter series, author J.K. Rowling has taken an extremely positive, inspiring and uplifting tone towards the idea of love and devotion.

 What would the tone be for:  Transformers?  The Crucible?  The Watchmen?

Answering the Essay Prompt A Walkthrough:  Steps to review Essay Prompt: 1. Review your stories, notes, quizzes, graphic organizers, and everything else we created during our short story readings. 2. Create a T-chart with the following information: Story

Memorable Actions/Quotes

My Reaction

Tone is…

Answering the Essay Prompt A Walkthrough: Steps to review Essay Prompt: 3. Now what is the author’s message or point conveyed in your short story? a) What actually happens to the characters? b) How do the characters react to conflict? c) How do the characters view themselves?  Essay Prompt: What is your short story’s message? And how does the tone illustrate your short story’s message?

In The Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons depict a meaningless society through pessimistic characters and depressing story outcomes.

Essay Outline Example: How does Tone Affect Meaning in the Watchmen?

• Story’s Message • Examples of Tone

 Intro – Hook – In our modern society, how we communicate is arguably more important than what we communicate.  Thesis – In The Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons depict a meaningless society through pessimistic 1 2 characters and depressing story outcomes.  Body 1 – Topic Sentence: The Watchmen shows a meaningless society through it’s pessimistic characters.1  Source: The Comedian assumes everyone deserves to be punished therefore he feels no guilt towards his actions.  Source: Majority of Miss Jupiter and Nite Owl both remain depressed as they discover their paths. 2  Body 2 – Topic Sentence: The Watchmen shows a meaningless society through it’s depressing story outcomes.  Source: Rorschach is murdered because he is too pure and good for society.  Source: Dr. Manhattan routinely allows people to suffer and die constantly throughout the story.  Body 3 (Counterargument): Topic Sentence: (Example Paragraph Next Slide)  Conclusion – Restated Thesis: In The Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons depicted a meaningless society through pessimistic characters and depressing story outcomes.

Counterargument Example / Review Paragraph Structure:  Point –Nite Owl and Miss Jupiter’s happily ending together disputes the meaningless society.  Example – In the final pages Miss Jupiter is seen speaking to her newfound husband, Nite Owl, “‘Silk Spectre’s’ too girly, y’know? Plus I want a better costume, that protects me: maybe something leather, with a mask over my face… Also, maybe I oughtta carry a gun.” (Moore, p. 27)  Explain – Miss Jupiter has completely overcome the anger and depression that plagued her for most of the novel. Leaving Doctor Manhattan, she found love and harmony with her soul mate Nite Owl. Additionally, Miss Jupiter also comes to terms with the Comedian being her father. We see change in her perspective in the previously stated quote. Miss Jupiter wanting to wear leather and use a gun shows respect towards her father.

Please understand that Counterarguments are built exactly like regular body paragraphs. Just stating the opposite perspective.

Counterargument Example / Review Paragraph Structure:  Completed Example: Nite Owl and Miss Jupiter’s happily ending together disputes the meaningless society. In the final pages Miss Jupiter is seen speaking to her newfound husband, Nite Owl, “‘Silk Spectre’s’ too girly, y’know? Plus I want a better costume, that protects me: maybe something leather, with a mask over my face… Also, maybe I oughtta carry a gun.” (Moore, p. 27). Miss Jupiter has completely overcome the anger and depression that plagued her for most of the novel. Leaving Doctor Manhattan, she found love and harmony with her soul mate Nite Owl. Additionally, Miss Jupiter also comes to terms with the Comedian being her father. We see change in perspective in the previously stated quote. Miss Jupiter wanting to wear leather and use a gun is showing respect towards her father.

Please understand that Counterarguments are built exactly like regular body paragraphs. Just stating the opposite perspective.

Submission Details/Reminders:  Final Essay is Due May 25th at Midnight.  Emailed to me on Engrade Turn Ins.

 Outline is Due Friday 13th end of school.  Paper Copy with Thesis, Topic sentences, and sources.

 Please always save and email-to-yourself versions of your essay. We know the technology is not strong.

 We will have two full work days with laptops/computer lab to type up your essay. You will need this time to type and edit your final essays. Please come prepared to class each day with all your work.  This is going to be the last big grade of the year. This grade can make or break nearly every student. Please make sure to take these next few weeks seriously.