Topic: Economic Inequalties/Economic inequality
The main objective for Essay 1 is to define your topic, define the issue, provide historical context for the topic you want to analyze.
Looking Ahead: Essay 1 should NOT overlap with Essay 2 (Cause & Effects); Essay 3 (Counterarguments).
In other words, do not write about causes, effects, and opposing points of views.
Assignment Details
Commit to a place or go nowhere. Be specific in your selection. Do not take on the entire world.
Pick one or two public or historical figures as “guides” (start with your major specifically). In The Art of Stillness, Pico Iyer leans on Leonard Cohen and zen philosophy (as guides) to support his argument and his entire project. Whereas, in The Art of Travel, Alain de Botton has different guides (poets, painters, philosophers, etc.) for each chapter. Your goal is to use Pico Iyer or Alain de Botton (not both), as well as a couple of your own to highlight and untangle your selected topic.
How many sources will Essay 1 need?
4 sources that all passes the CRAAP Test AND Pico Iyer OR Alain de Botton as thesis support OR counterargument.
Your sources should not be more than 25 years old.
Compose in 3rd person point of view only. Do not use 2nd person pronouns = do not use “you” or “your” in your entire essay. Do not use 1st person singular or 1st person collective pronouns = do not use “I, my, me, we, our, us” in your entire essay.
Grading criteria, Rubric, Skills covered
Introduction: Non-rhetorical Hook, background info of issue, efficient background commentary; synthesize points of your argument: thesis statement; and transition sentence.
Your thesis should declare: What is your topic? Why does it matter to those who are affected and those who are not affected?
Your thesis should address how travel or stillness (cultural progression or cultural stagnation) affects your issue.
Your essay should have at least four body paragraphs.
Body paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 (in any order) Address the following:
One body paragraph on Pico Iyer or Alain de Botton as your guide.
One body paragraph on your own public or historical guide(s).
I don’t want to be too prescriptive, you decide how the next two body paragraphs will best support your thesis, issue, and topic.
Conclusion: two parts:
A) Micro; local; how does your issue affect an individual reader?
B) Macro; global; how does your issue affect a larger community of readers?
1) Quick essay recap; brief thesis review in fresh words.
2) Provide final insight or quick possible solution: two parts:
Required Research:
A minimum of four credible sources. A credible source must be peer reviewed; come from a scholarly or academic journal; must have an author and date of publication; must have their own Works Cited or References or Bibliography pages; must be from <.edu>; <.gov>; <.org>.
Put each of your source through a CRAAP test: (Links to an external site.)Currency: the timeliness of the information; Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs; Authority: the source of the information; Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content; Purpose: the reason the information exists.
CRAAP Test link: https://researchguides.ben.edu/source-evaluation
