Paper 1

For Paper One I want you to select a short essay or article on a controversy of your choice and write a summary of the selected work. Remember, to summarize a work you put the authors original idea(s) into your own words in about 1/3 to 1/4 the space. You need to use MLA in-text citations (parenthetical documentation) every time you use material from the author. See your handbook for correct usage and placement. This time I wont count off as much as I will with your last paper. I do want you to try to use citations correctly from the start. It is better in the long run.
Your introduction should include the author, article or essay title, the authors thesis statement (a paraphrase of the main idea). The body of the paper should be the summary itself. The summary should be wrapped up with a conclusion that sums up the summary, rephrasing or restating the authors thesis statement. Your own opinion of the content or the controversy should not be evident in this paper. This will be the hard part--leaving your opinion out when you are writing about a controversial issue, and I want the issue to be controversial to you.
You will need to bring rough drafts for your peers for workshop, and bring a copy of the essay or article you use. When you turn in your final copies (as indicated on the syllabus) I will want a copy of the essay or article. Please be sure to note due dates for these assignments. Be prepared. Feel free to e-mail me or come to see me with questions.