[English 101 Sample Assignment #1a]

                                                                                                                         Eric Harper

General Directions:  This first draft of essay #1 is to be 2-5* pages, double-spaced, titled, and with 1-inch margins.  I prefer that you use 12 pt. New Times Roman font.  Please staple the essay before class.  Remember, three copies of your first draft are due on Monday, September 10^th.   *Note: the length of the revised draft is to be longer than this initial draft; I expect a 4-5 page essay on Friday, September 14^th.

Assignment Description:  Life often presents turning points, or moments carrying an obvious shift in momentum.  In his essay, “Asians,” Richard Rodriguez examines some turning points of immigrant families coping with the ambiguity of America.  Now it is your turn.  For this first assignment, I would like you to reflect on a turning point in your life.  This turning point can include any sudden realization of a dramatic shift in your life.  This event can be a positive or negative moment, but it must be your moment.  This turning point does not have to be an extraordinary event—it can simply be a day when you noticed that you had achieved something.

                It is important that you attempt to capture the vivid detail of this moment.  Disclose the rich sounds, sights, and smells for your reader.  Take the reader into your moment.  By the same measure, it is also important that you make some sense of this moment: dig deep and unlock the moment for your reader by illustrating its significance.  This moment is personal, so I do not expect an overly academic tone.  Yet remember you are writing for an audience.  Please consult your Everyday Writer if you have any grammatical concerns.

Evaluation: As you know, I will not officially grade these essays, but I will offer detailed feedback addressing some of the following concerns:

1.        Focus—Does the essay address the assignment?

2.        Content—Does the essay present clear ideas, vivid detail, and effective reasoning?  Does the essay attempt to reveal original understanding?

3.        Clarity—Is the essay clear?  Is the essay effectively organized?

4.        Audience—Does the essay address the given audience appropriately?

5.        Mechanics—Spelling, grammar, punctuation

We will discuss these criteria in class and before we begin the workshop process.  Make sure that you are ready to reflect on these aspects of the first essay in the Writing Workshop.

Prewriting:  You may find it helpful to examine the following prompts in your journal—this is a practical way of exploring some potential moments for your essay.  Consider using the following questions as prompts to help you with your reflection:

                What were your goals five years ago?  What are your goals now?

                Characterize your most positive qualities.  How have they served you?

                Characterize your most negative qualities.  How have they affected you?

                Highlight a moment when you felt as though your values were understood.

                Highlight a moment when you felt as if your values were being compromised.

                Recreate a situation in which you felt alienated from a group.

Please do not hesitate to phone, drop in, or email if you have any questions or concerns.

Download an RTF Version of Sample #1a