Good evening.
As promised, below you will find the following:
1. a copy of Out of Class Essay #1 assignment, distributed in class today. (reminder: if you missed class today, you are responsible for getting notes from a classmate--the assignment does not have EVERY detail and requirement.)
2. a partial list of transition words and phrases to utilize when transitioning from one paragraph to the next in essay writing
3. Packet #2 Assignment
4. On line sites for accessing proper MLA documentation rules and regulations.
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English 20, Sections 1, 6, & 15
Spring 2012
Catherine Fraga, Instructor
Out of Class Essay Assignment #1—200 points possible—VOICES AGAINST CONFORMITY
• Assigned: Monday, Feb. 6th
• Rough Draft Due (OPTIONAL), typed & double spaced, no later than: Monday, February 20 (for section 15) AND Wednesday, Feb. 22 (for sections 1 & 6)
• Final Draft Due: Monday, Feb. 27, typed & double spaced
***Note that you have three weeks to research and write this essay. Your final draft should reflect this.
Let’s take a closer look at the issue of conformity/non-conformity.
The most interesting, focused and articulate essays I receive from students are ones where the students select their own specific topic and are genuinely intrigued by the topic.
For this essay, you will research and write about one person who is/was considered a non-conformist in his/her field of interest. Consider the possibility that the person deemed a non-conformist may not, in your opinion, actually BE a non-conformist. So your essay could support or disprove the label given by the majority of society.
This topic allows for a wealth of flexibility and choice.
Your focus will be on a person working in an area (and time period in history) that you are most interested in: photography; art; literature; politics; film; music; fashion; science; mathematics; education; or ???
To get a better idea of some possibilities, and for purpose of illustration, let’s look at some examples of topics within in the time period of the 1950s in America.
Premise: Many in the 1950s worked diligently for the comfort and conformity displayed on such TV shows as “Father Knows Best” and “Leave it to Beaver.” But regardless of the affluence of the new American middle class, there was still poverty, racism and alienation in America rarely depicted on TV.
Dozens of people rejected societal norms through their artwork, creativity and lifestyle. They used words, art, film and music to rebel against the cookie-cutter mentality of the established power structure and mass-marketed culture.
Many writers during this time period (referred to as the Beat Generation) adamantly refused to submit to the conformity of the 1950s. (these writers included Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Diane Di Prima, Sloan Wilson, J.D. Salinger, William Burroughs, and others)
Likewise, many artists during this time period adamantly refused to submit to the conformity of the 1950s. (these artists included Willem De Kooning, Hans Hoffman, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Clement Greenberg, and others)
Also, according to an Internet article on Conformity in U.S. History: “While the 1950s silver screen lit up mostly with the typical Hollywood fare of Westerns and romances, a handful of films shocked audiences by uncovering the dark side of America’s youth.”
Many filmmakers of this time period adamantly refused to submit to the conformity of the 1950s. (these films include The Wild One; Blackboard Jungle; Rebel without a Cause, etc)
No matter what non conformist you select to research, your essay must contain the following:
• your working definition of a non-conformist (in order to frame and set up your argument)
• a brief history of the country’s mood during this time period;
• background and details about the non-conformist you will focus on;
• how his/her work challenged the status quo;
• the impact of his/her work on others in the same field and on society;
• and the repercussions and influence felt today or what you predict WILL be the repercussions in the future.
Your essay will be both informative and analytical: your thesis will “prove” the person’s influence, or not, on people’s lives, then and now.
Things to Consider:
This is NOT an essay in which you write an in depth analysis of the literature, film, music, etc. of the time period you are focused on. To do that, you would need to carefully read, view, or listen to the work or material at great length.
Instead, you are conducting research to discover the mood of the country and the status quo during a particular time period——why and how a person’s work was considered non conformist—and how their work influenced those living then…and now.
Your thesis might read something like this:
Although 1950s America appeared to be almost unrealistically content, many visual artists at this time, particularly Jackson Pollack, successfully combated the blissful charade by using innovative methods and themes in his work.
A BRIEF LIST OF TOPIC SUGGESTIONS:
Mahatma Ghandi George Carlin
Martin Luther King, Jr. John Cassavetes
Eminem Yves St. Laurent
Georgia O’Keefe Abby Hoffman
Galileo Galilei John Lennon
Emma Goldman David Mamet
Janis Joplin Jim Morrison
Johnny Cash Ralph Nader
Steve Jobs Joan of Arc
Nelson Mandela Che Guevara
Karl Marx Bill Gates
Dr. Jack Kevorkian James Dean
Quentin Crisp Henry David Thoreau
Ayn Rand Elvis Presley
Carl Jung
Carl Sagan
Alexandr Solzhenitsyn
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English 20, C. Fraga-------------------Examples of Transitional Words & Phrases
Illustration
Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as.
Contrast
On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true.
Addition
And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.
Time
After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
Space
At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background.
Concession
Although, at any rate, at least, still, though, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course.
Similarity or Comparison
Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to.
Emphasis
Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition.
Details
Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.
Examples
For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular.
Consequence or Result
So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then.
Summary
Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly.
Suggestion
For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore.
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PACKET #2 ASSIGNMENT:
As your syllabus indicates, Packet 2 is due to be completed by Monday, Feb. 13th FOR ALL THREE SECTIONS.
THE PACKET CONSISTS OF TWO ITEMS--
The first required reading is actually an audio--a 4 minute and 50 second interview that was recorded on National Public Radio in June of 2010.
1.) "Tackling America's Drug Addiction"
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127937271
2.) "Confessions of a Mom (and a Former Teen Pothead)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/tellmemore/2010/10/19/130677774/confessions-from-a-mom-and-former-teen-pot-head
WO ITEMS--
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Here are two very reputable sites online to locate MLA documentation guidelines:
Purdue Online Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
EasyBib
http://www.easybib.com/
Hope this is helpful!
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