Category: English

Journal #5: Fiction Challenge For this journal entry, in 200-300 words, write a short work of fiction that centers on a single, vivid moment. Think of it as a snapshot in prose; one scene; one situation; one small spark that hints at a much larger story beyond the page. Your scene should: Introduce a character with a clear desire or goal Place that character in a specific setting Present a conflict or obstacle Reveal the characters reaction or decision End with a sense of change or direction Length: 200 to 300 words. Encourage imagination; humor; mystery; drama; whatever direction feels right. The goal is clarity and creative focus rather than length. Suggested Structure Opening Image Establish the setting quickly; use sensory details to help the reader see and feel the moment. Character Desire Let us know what your character wants right now; big or small. The Obstacle Introduce something that complicates that desire. The Response Show how your character reacts; emotionally or physically. The Shift Conclude with a change; a realization; or a decision that sends the character forward. Checklist My character has a clear goal The setting is specific and described with sensory detail There is a conflict or problem The character reacts to the problem The ending shows change or direction My writing stays focused on one moment in time

Historical Context Essay Assignment Description & Prompt Assignment Overview: For this essay, you will conduct historical research to better understand one aspect of a story or poem weve read this semester. You will then use that research to develop a historical criticism of the work. Historical criticism means analyzing how the time periodincluding political, economic, social, or cultural contextsinfluences or shapes the work. Your goal is to connect the text to its historical moment in a thoughtful and analytical way. Your Essay Must: Present a clear, arguable thesis that connects your historical research to the meaning or structure of the text Use 13 credible sources that inform your understanding of the historical context Use MLA format for both in-text citations and the Works Cited page Focus on historical, not literary, research (no essays about symbolism, imagery, or general theme unless tied directly to the historical moment) What Counts as Credible Research? Government (.gov) or educational (.edu) websites Articles from academic databases (e.g., JSTOR, Google Scholar, library resources) Books or published articles by historians or scholars Authoritative sources where the authors credentials are clear Not acceptable: Wikipedia, fan pages, blogs without author credentials, or sources with unclear authority. Strategies for Historical Research and Analysis: You can explore any of the following historical angles for your chosen text: The time in which the author lived: What were the major political, social, or economic issues of the time? The time in which the story/poem takes place: How does it reflect real events or cultural attitudes? Laws, customs, or norms related to race, gender, war, class, religion, education, etc. The cultural climate, including dominant ideologies, fears, or values of the time Language shifts: How have certain words, phrases, or concepts changed meaning over time? Questions to Ask Yourself While Doing Historical Research & Criticism: What historical events were happening when this was written or set? How might the author’s background and historical moment have influenced their perspective? What cultural, legal, or social norms are present in the story or poem that reflect its time? Does the story reflect resistance to or support for dominant ideologies of the time? Are there references or attitudes in the text that would have had different connotations then than they do now? How do the characters beliefs or conflicts reflect their historical period? Would a reader in the original time have interpreted this story differently than a modern reader? Important Reminders: This is not a literary essay about literary devices. Do not research “symbolism in ‘The Lottery’” Do research post-WWII suburban conformity and its connection to The Lottery Your thesis must be historically groundedyou are making a claim about how historical context enhances understanding of the text. 600-800 words (include word count at the end of your paper; before the WC page)

Minimum requirements to earn credit:

• Length: 2 pages (plus additional Works Cited page)
• Sources: Use 1 primary source
• Documentation: Correct MLA documentation is expected, including in-text citations and a Works Cited page. If you include any source material without giving proper credit, you risk either earning a zero on the assignment or an F as your final grade in the course.

Purpose:

This assignment will help you practice literary analysis skills that are essential to your success in this course:

• Skills: Create an interpretation of a character based on close reading of a story.
• Provide evidence from the story to support your interpretation.
• Use MLA documentation, including correct source integration, in-text citations, and Works Cited page.
• Connect your analysis to a larger context, such as the time period when the story was written or set.
• Practice the writing process by planning, drafting, revising, and editing your essay.
• Knowledge:
• Vocabulary terms about character, including sympathetic/unsympathetic and static/dynamic

Assignment:

Create a character analysis essay built on close readings of one text from Module 1. You will focus on one specific aspect of the characterization and provide support from the text. Remember that characterization may be revealed through the character’s own thoughts, speech, and actions; through another character’s speech, thoughts, or actions toward that character; or through the narration.

Choose a specific topic from the list below or create your own topic with my approval. If you choose a unique topic, it must be approved by the instructor before you begin. If you write on an unapproved topic, you will not earn credit. (Note: you only need to choose ONE of these topics for your paper; you do not need to select one topic from the sympathetic/unsympathetic section and one from the static/dynamic.)

• Approved topics:
• Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is sympathetic or unsympathetic. Be sure to discuss how the author creates (or does not create) sympathy for the character.
• Rip Van Winkle from Irvings Rip Van Winkle
• Protagonist from Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper
• Paul from Lawrences The Rocking-Horse Winner
• Choose one of these characters and discuss whether he or she is static or dynamic. Be sure to discuss how the character changes (or does not change) in specific ways over the course of the story.
• Goodman Brown from Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown
• Peyton Farquhar from Bierces An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
• John from Gilmans The Yellow Wallpaper
• Hester from Lawrences The Rocking-Horse Winner

Tasks:

A strong essay will:

• Open with an introduction paragraph that catches the reader’s attention, includes relevant background information, and ends with your thesis statement. Your thesis should state your interpretation of the character (sympathetic, unsympathetic, static, or dynamic) and main reasons.
• Include 23 well-developed body paragraphs, and incorporate text-based evidence from the story (such as quotations and specific scenes or details), explaining how each piece of evidence supports your analysis of the character.
• End with a conclusion that briefly sums up your main ideas and connects your discussion of this character to the culture and values of its time and place.
• Use an academic voice with third-person point of view (no you or I except within direct quotations), and use formal grammar and spelling.
• Follow MLA paper formatting guidelines and MLA documentation style (correct source integration, in-text citations, and Works Cited page).

Your essay should avoid:

• Unsupported claims – you should not invent new scenes, dialogue, or backstory; avoid hypotheticals or guessing about what might happen; you should not make statements about the character that cannot be supported with clear evidence from the text.
• Biography – you should not use background information on the author or text (from the course Content or the textbook) within body paragraphs. Body paragraphs should discuss evidence from the short story only. You may use background information on the author or text in the introduction or conclusion if it is relevant.
• Plot summary – assume your reader is familiar with the story; avoid summarizing it or providing an overview; use only the relevant evidence to prove your thesis.
• Large copied passages quote sparingly; use ellipsis as necessary; avoid block quotations

Sources:

You must use and cite the primary source; you should not use other sources.

• A primary source is a text by the original author. You will use one short story from the Module 1 readings.
• You should not use additional sources. You should be able to complete these responses based upon your opinion and the assigned class readings.

You may NOT list any sources on your Works Cited page that you do not use in your paper. Also, you may NOT use (through quotation, paraphrase, or summary) any sources that you do not cite in the essay and on the Works Cited page this is plagiarism and grounds for failing the assignment.

Reminder:

All assignments submitted for this course must be your own work – your ideas and your words – created for this course in this semester. Please review the policies for plagiarism and Artificial intelligence (AI) content in the Syllabus and contact the instructor if you have any questions.

This is a 500750-word close-reading of ONE page of any course text. You must make an observation about the meaning of the page (message, atmosphere, implication, etc.) and analyze devices to support your observation. You may focus on literary devices or any relevant detail in the text. This assignment requires direct quotes; you can only quote material from one page. The objective of this assignment is to make connections between the specific details and overarching meaning of a short text.

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42324/42324-h/42324-h.htm

this is the link to the reading.

ASSIGNMENT: Write a argumentative essay arguing one side or stance of an academically appropriate debate using the classical model supported by evidence and research. If the writing exceeds the 1500 word maximum, it will be returned back for revision.A. Directions

Step 1. Choose a Topic

Today, there are many different debates being had all around the world about topics that affect our personal, professional, civic, and/or academic lives. Some of these debates have been such hot topics for so long that it has become very difficult to add to the conversation with new and original ideas or stances to take. To move beyond this trend, we have created a list of topics that may not be written about for this Touchstone. This includes example topics that are used in Unit 4. Feel free to access a tutor if you would like support choosing a topic for this essay.

Please AVOID choosing any of the following topics:

• Abortion Rights
• Animal Testing (Unit 4 example)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Climate Change (Unit 4 example)
• Belief in God(s) or Afterlife(s)
• Death Penalty / Capital Punishment
• Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide
• Fad Diets (e.g., Keto, etc.)
• Funding/Defunding Law Enforcement
• Greatest of All Time Topics
• Immigration
• Legal Alcohol/Tobacco Age
• Legalization of Marijuana
• Legalization of Sex Work
• Paying Student Athletes
• Second Amendment Rights (i.e., Gun Control)
• Social Medias Impact on Mental Health
• Universal Healthcare
• Vaccines

Choosing to write about any of the above topics will result in returned Touchstone for a single chance to resubmit.

Step 2. Write an Argumentative Essay

Remember the word argument does not mean a fight in a writing context. An academic argument is more like a thoughtful conversation between two people with differing viewpoints on a debatable issue. However, you are required to take a position on one side of a debatable issue that is informed by academically appropriate evidence.

For the purposes of this assignment, expressing or relying on your personal opinion of a debate is discouraged. Rather, the essay must argue one side or stance of the debate using the rhetorical appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos) and be supported by academic or scholarly sources. These include physical sources in public libraries, digital sources in academic libraries, online sources (excludes unreliable sources like procon.org and wikipedia.org, which are discouraged), and published expert reports, preferably peer-reviewed by experts in the field to maintain utmost credibility. Consider revisiting the tutorial for more information on appropriate sources for argumentative writing.

Your submission must include an APA style in-text citations and a reference page following the essay. In your research, you will need at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources to use as support in your essay.

• All sources cited in the writing submitted must be locatable by a grader; include hyperlinks to the sources in the reference page.
• The use of any source that requires payment for access is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
• Avoid using sources that exceed 20 pages in length, as they may be overly extensive for the purposes of this assignment.
• Including more than four sources may cause delays, and you might be asked to provide additional evidence of the credibility for each source.

Thia will be helpful to you as you work on this assignment.

Step 3. Think About Your Writing

On a separate page, below your reference page, include thoughtful answers to the Think About Your Writing questions. References and Think About Your Writing questions are NOT included in the word count for this essay.

Below your reference page, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.

1. What have you learned about how to present a strong argument? How could/will you apply this knowledge in your professional or everyday life (3-4 sentences)? Sophia says: Think about the specific skills and techniques that you used while developing and writing your essay. What tools will you take with you from this experience?
2. Consider the English Composition I course as a whole. What have you learned about yourself as a writer (5-6 sentences)? Sophia says: What did you learn that surprised you? Is there anything that you have struggled with in the past that you now feel more confident about?

Step 4. Review Rubric and Checklist

Your composition and reflection will be scored according to the Touchstone 4 Rubric, which evaluates the argumentative topic and thesis statement, argument development and support, organization, flow, research, style, use of conventions (grammar, punctuation, etc.), and your answers to the Think About your Writing questions above.

Refer to the checklist below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

Argumentative Topic and Thesis Statement

Have you included a thesis that takes a clear, specific position on one side of an academically appropriate, debatable issue?

Argument Development

Are all of the details relevant to the purpose of your essay?

Is the argument supported using rhetorical appeals and credible, academic source material?

Is your essay 4-6 pages (approximately 1000-1500 words)? If not, which details do you need to add or delete?

Research

Have you cited outside sources effectively using quotation, summary, or paraphrase?

Are the sources incorporated smoothly, providing the reader with signal phrases and context for the source information?

Are the sources explained with regard to your topic and how they relate to the argument?

Have you referenced at least 2 and no more than 4 credible sources?

Have you included an APA style reference page below your essay?

Have you included a hyperlink to each source in the reference page?

Organization and Flow

Is there an introduction, conclusion, adequate body paragraphs, and a counterargument?

Do the topic and concluding sentences reiterate the argument to maintain a sharp focus on the purpose of the essay?

Is the argument presented in a logical order and easy for the reader to follow?

Are there transitions within and between paragraphs?

Style

Are the word choices accurate and effective?

Are the sentence structures varied?

Conventions and Formatting

Have you properly cited your sources according to APA style guidelines?

Have you double-checked for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, and capitalization?

Have you proofread for typos?

Before You Submit

Have you answered all of the Think About Your Writing questions on a separate page below your reference page? Are your answers thoughtful and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?

Does your submission include your essay, followed by your reference page, followed by your Think About Your Writing questions?

B. Rubric Advanced (100%)Proficient (85%)Acceptable (75%)Needs Improvement (50%)Non-Performance (0%)Argumentative Topic and Thesis Statement

Take a clear position on a debatable topic. (5%)

Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a well-articulated, clear, specific position on one side of a debatable issue.Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a clear, specific position on one side of a debatable issue.Includes an argumentative thesis that takes a clear position on one side of a debatable issue; however, it lacks specificity.Includes an argumentative thesis on a debatable topic; however, it lacks specificity and/or does not take a clear position.Does not include a thesis, includes a thesis that does not take a position, and/or the topic is not debatable.Argument Development and Support

Have a clear argument on a debatable topic and sufficient support. (20%)

Details are highly relevant and clearly support the argument of the essay. Argument is thoroughly developed; the argument is consistently and effectively supported using rhetorical appeals and source material.Details are relevant and support the argument of the essay. Argument is well developed; the argument is supported using rhetorical appeals and source material.Details are predominantly relevant and generally support the argument, though some details may be irrelevant and/or distracting. Argument is not fully developed; the argument is supported by rhetorical appeals and source material; however, some aspects of the argument or support are neglected.Details are often irrelevant and frequently distract from the argument of the essay. Argument is poorly developed; there is little evidence of rhetorical appeals and/or source material support.Details are irrelevant and distract from the argument. Argument is not developed and/or the composition is not argumentative.Organization

Exhibit competent organization and writing techniques. (20%)

Includes all of the required components of an argumentative research paper, including an introduction with relevant and engaging background information and an argumentative thesis, an adequate number of body paragraphs each with a topic sentence, a body paragraph addressing counterargument(s), and a conclusion with a concluding statement.Includes all of the required components of an argumentative research paper, including an introduction with background information, an argumentative thesis, an adequate number of body paragraphs each with a topic sentence, a body paragraph addressing counterargument(s), and a conclusion with a concluding statement.Includes nearly all of the required components of an argumentative research paper; however, one component is missing.Includes most of the required components of an argumentative research paper, but is lacking two components. Sequences ideas and paragraphs such that the connections between ideas (within and between paragraphs) are sometimes unclear and the reader may have difficulty following the progression of the argument.Lacks several or all of the components of an argumentative research paper. Sequences ideas and paragraphs such that the connections between ideas (within and between paragraphs) are often unclear and the reader has difficulty following the progression of the argument.Flow

Establish and maintain a logical flow. (10%)

Sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses smooth transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can easily follow the progression of ideas.Sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can easily follow the progression of ideas.Primarily sequences ideas and paragraphs logically and uses sufficient transitions (within and between paragraphs) such that the reader can generally follow the progression of ideas.The progression of ideas is often difficult to follow, due to poor sequencing, ineffective transitions, and/or insufficient transitions.The progression of ideas is consistently difficult to follow, due to poor sequencing and lack of transitions.Research

Incorporate sources through effective quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. (10%)

Incorporates sources smoothly and effectively through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources.Primarily incorporates sources effectively through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources.Acceptably incorporates sources through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 credible primary or secondary sources.Generally incorporates sources through direct quotation, paraphrase, or summary. References at least 2 and no more than 4 primary or secondary sources, but some sources may not be effective or appropriate for the essays argument.Does not reference sources and/or sources are not credible or appropriate.Style

Establish a consistent, informative tone and make thoughtful stylistic choices. (10%)

Demonstrates thoughtful and effective word choices, avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a wide variety of sentence structures.Demonstrates effective word choices, primarily avoids redundancy and imprecise language, and uses a variety of sentence structures.Demonstrates generally effective style choices, but may include occasional redundancies, imprecise language, poor word choice, and/or repetitive sentence structures.Frequently includes poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures.Excessively demonstrates poor word choices, redundancies, imprecise language, and/or repetitive sentence structures.Conventions

Follow conventions for standard English. (10%)

There may be a few negligible errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.There are occasional minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.There are some significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.There are frequent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.There are consistent significant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and usage.Formatting

Execute formatting according to requirements. (10%)

Consistently adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page.Primarily adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are minimal.Adequately adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are occasional.Inadequately adheres to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are common.Does not adhere to APA formatting requirements for in-text citations and the References page, such that formatting errors are pervasive.Think About Your Writing

Reflect on progression and development throughout the course. (5%)

Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; consistently includes insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses. Answers all reflection questions effectively, following or exceeding response length guidelines.Demonstrates thoughtful reflection; includes multiple insights, observations, and/or examples. Answers all reflection questions effectively, following response length guidelines.Primarily demonstrates thoughtful reflection, but some responses are lacking in detail or insight. Answers all reflection questions, primarily following response length guidelines.Shows limited reflection; the majority of responses are lacking in detail or insight. Answers reflection questions inadequately: may not answer all of the questions and/or may not follow response length guidelines.Does not answer the majority of reflection questions or the majority of answers do not follow response length guidelines.

C. Requirements

• Your essay should be 4-6 pages (approximately 1000-1500 words), double-spaced, with one-inch margins.
• Argumentative essay guidelines must be followed or submission will not be graded.
• Use a readable 12-point font.
• Composition must be original and written for this assignment and all writing must be appropriate for an academic context, including academically credible sources.
• Use of generative chatbot artificial intelligence tools (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard) in place of original writing is strictly prohibited for this assignment.
• Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
• Submission should include your name, the name of the course, the date, and the title of your essay.
• Submission must include the argumentative essay, reference page, and your answers to the reflection questions.
• Include all of the assignment components in a single .doc or .docx file.

Two paragraphs, 4 to 5 sentences each on a dream vacation to Denver, Colorado to see the US Mint. As an amateur coin collector, it would be fascinating to visit and see the sites.

Two paragraphs, 4 to 5 sentences each on a dream vacation to Denver, Colorado to see the US Mint. As an amateur coin collector, it would be fascinating to visit and see the sites.

Please choose at least TWO of the stories we read this week to discuss and one or more of the questions that apply to those stories.

“The Horla” vs. “The Damned Thing”

Guy de Maupassant’s “The Horla” is published approximately six years before Bierce’s work, “The Damned Thing,” and many scholars see the influence of one on the other. Discuss what aspects of Maupassant’s work you see reflected in Bierce’s story (consider conflict, character, setting, themes, etc.)

Hope–a Bad Thing?

“Damned Thing”–Non-Linear Storytelling

Readers never meet the “damned thing” in Bierce’s story. Instead, we hear evidence from William Harker who was visiting Hugh Morgan, the deceased, and diary entries from Morgan himself who encountered the “thing”. Furthermore, the height of the conflict, Morgan’s death, takes place midway through the story, and then readers return to the Inquest and then we hear from Morgan himself. Discuss this approach to storytelling–is it effective? Why or why not?

“The Horla”–What is this?

Reading through the story, one might believe it is a straightforward story about a cryptozoological creature. Or one might believe that the story is a ghost story. Some critics have suggested that it may be more about the final actions of the narrator and the evolution of purity to evil (everything evil starts out pure?) Others have suggested that the “Horla” is symbolic of disease and infection which De Maupassant suffered from much of his life (syphilis). What exactly is “The Horla”? Is this story really a ghost story? a story of cryptozoology? or something else?

Review Dennis Baron’s doc and answer a series of questions in detail, using 5 complete sentences.