[English 101 Sample Assignment #2b]                                                                                                         [Eric Harper]

General Directions:  This first draft of essay #2 is to be 3-5* pages, double-spaced, titled, and with one-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 with a detailed cover letter are due on Monday, October 1.

*Note: The length of the revised draft is to be longer than this initial draft; I expect a 4-5 page essay on October 5.

Assignment Description:  As you know, we have focused on place this past week.  N. Scott Momaday’s “Sacred and Ancestral Ground” is a beautiful depiction of a pilgrimage to a land associated with his roots, spirituality, and traditions.  Building on this theme, I would like you to describe an important place in your life.  This place does not have to conjure the same emotions as Momaday’s, but I do expect you to reflect on the significance of this place.  The place does not have to be associated with positive qualities.  Tom Wolfe’s “O Rotten Gotham” offers a scathing depiction of New York and the city’s staggering overpopulation.  All that I ask is that you select a place and make sense of this environment.  Of course, I also expect that you address the specific details of this place.  Excellent writing is often in the details.  You may use a first-person narrative, or you may opt to write this piece in the third person, as a detached spectator.  Remember that you are writing for an audience; take this into consideration when crafting your essay.  Please consult your Everyday Writer for any grammatical concerns.

Evaluation:  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.       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, and punctuation

We will discuss these criteria in class again, before our second workshop.  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 the reflection:

            Describe a place that was important to you as a child.

            Describe a place that no longer has the strong effect on you that it once had.

            Describe your hometown. What does this town mean to you?

            Describe a pilgrimage that you have taken or would like to take.

            Describe your least favorite town.  Why do you dislike this place?

The preceding list may be helpful in offering a starting point.  Please do not hesitate to phone, drop in, or e-mail if you have any questions or concerns.

Download an RTF version of Sample #2b