Patricia VanAmburg

English 122

Essay #3—Argument as Response to Literature

Course grade %

Part of Portfolio grade

Due Date:

Typed rough draft—beginning of class 3/10

Final Draft—end of class 3/10

Length/Format:

ü Two to three pages

ü Typed, double spaced

ü 12 pt. font

ü MLA style format

Purpose:

ü Writing argument as response to literature

ü Developing an argument thesis (claim)

ü Writing with an argument format (charge/answer or rebuttal paragraph)

ü Using quotes from poem

ü Using parenthetical citation

Prompt:

We have recently taken a look at poems related to work issues on pp. 18-23. We have also worked in groups to develop some thesis statements (based on these works) that make claims. Now you should:

1. Choose one of these poems that you can work with.
2. Develop a thesis that relates to the work and makes a claim. The issues described on pp. 24-32 might help you with this step.
3. Support your thesis in a 2-3 page paper.
4. Make sure that you have:

ü Introduced the poem, topic and thesis

ü Used specific examples/support in body paragraphs

ü Quoted from the poem

ü Used parenthetical citation

ü Brought your paper to some conclusion—one that answers a so what question

ü Included a source citation

ü Checked for problems with sentence skills