Major Essay #1
: Final draft due Friday March 5. No late work accepted!Telling Secrets
People in our society are infatuated with hidden truths. This fascination appears on all levels, from gossip to high-level, classified documents. Learning a secret is really about revealing the "truth."
Writing Task: What do secrets reveal about our society?
Narrow your analysis of this question by choosing one of the following categories:
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Advertising·
Politics·
EntertainmentTo help you develop your paper, ask yourself the following:
Who are/are not telling the secrets?
What secrets are/are not being revealed?
Why are/are not secrets being revealed?
Where are secrets being revealed? (i.e. newspapers, television)
How are secrets being told? (i.e. gossip, leaking, personal "outing")
Do not simply answer these questions but rather use them to get ideas for the kind of information you should include in your essay.
Purpose: To write an analytical essay where you do the following:
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Formulate a thesis by analyzing the issue·
Support your thesis with convincing evidence from research·
Develop and organize your ideas logically through exploration and revision·
Demonstrate your understanding of essay structure·
Expand thoroughly in your examples: show, don’t tell.·
Be sure to consider your audience, and remember, that while you may be writing to those that share your values (community, peers) you need to consider readers in other contexts.Sources: Use at least three (3) outside sources, which may include any of the readings from Convergences. Outside sources are: journal and periodical articles, reputable websites—must be pre-approved with instructor—and books.
Format: This essay should be 4 to 6 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12-point font in Times New Roman, with 1" margins all around (see Keys 230-2). Include in-text citations and a works cited page in MLA format (see Keys 124-158).
Failure to follow these requirements will result in grade percentage deductions from the final score of the essay.
Due Dates:
Rough draft due to instructor and group: 2/27 F (40 points)
Peer Reviewed copies due for workshop: 3/1 M (10 points)
LRC visit w/ proof: ongoing (extra credit points)
Final draft due: 3/5 F (80 points)
Voluntary Portfolio Revision Draft: 3/15 M (For grade change opportunity, must follow Portfolio Revision for Major Essays guidelines, otherwise don’t bother.)