English and Literature

Your final writing assignment is this:

1. Read the chapter on death and dying in your textbook.
2. Write a 2-3 page paper about your experiences with death, what things you would like to happen before you die, what legacy you would like to leave in this world, what you believe happens after death, etc.
3. Use one reference (not your textbook).
4. Write your obituary (a separate page from your paper).  You can “die” at any point in the future. Include all pertinent information; make up the stuff that hasn’t happened yet. Marry who you want – accomplish what you want, work where you want, have the children and name them what you want…it’s your fantasy…If you don’t know what to include in the obituary, read some obituaries in a newspaper for ideas.

The obituary has a separate dropbox folder.

Yes, I know this is depressing.  I suspect, though, that you will find this assignment eye-opening and, ultimately, valuable.

Here is a poem that might help you think about what you want to write –

How Do You Live Your Dash?

by Linda Ellis
Linda’s Lyrics
http://www.lindaslyrics.com

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning…to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears, But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years (1953-2006).

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth… And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard… Are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that can still be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile… Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read with your life’s actions to rehash… Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Synthesis Assignment Sheet

General Topic: (Re)Defining “The American Dream” for the 21-st Century

Each of the four writers in this section addresses, even peripherally, even indirectly, something to do with “The American Dream.” For this assignment, compose a 4-page argumentative synthesis using a specific, arguable thesis that you construct on your own; it must relate to the readings in the chapter that we have been reading (“Business and Economy”). You may wish to extend the argument of one of the readings, or refute it, or build on it in a different way. Do not simply argue that a certain reading or author is right and repeat how so; instead, use the readings as a springboard for you to investigate a topic and put together ideas in new or different ways.

What is a Synthesis?

If anything confuses a student when writing, it is the actual term “synthesis.” Don’t worry too much about the term; instead, see what you are doing as arguing a position with a variety of sources to help you. What you want to do is show that you can sustain a logical and persuasive argument, and control sources and their use to your persuasive end. Try to have your secondary sources have a “dialogue” with each other in terms of what they do and do not agree with in relation to your argued position(s).

Structural Notes

Your Introduction should mention the general topic and the purpose/what idea(s) you plan to defend. Rather than merely summarizing the textbook / outside sources in entirety, use these, as necessary, to support and advance your own, original project / thesis / claim /set of claims.

Required Sources—at least 5 in total…

You should make use 3 sources in this unit:

Diaz, “The Money: Starting Out” (384-386)

Reich, “Why the Rich Are Getting Richer” (404-415)

Ehrenreich, “Nickel and Dimed” (395-402)

…and 2 outside sources. Note: these can be scholarly journal articles, book-length studies, or

reputable websites. Remember to test for accuracy, relevance, representation, and adequacy.

Using the Key Texts

SHOW and TELL!! Remember to use quoted material directly and appropriately. Use They

Say/I Say as a resource to this end…

Do not use Internet !!!

Should have a creative topic.

“I Didn’t Type This Article,” by Will Oremus Response

You will write a 2-page  in which you give your response to the article, “I Didn’t Type This Article,” by Will Oremus.
http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/04/the_end_of_typing_speech_recognition_technology_is_getting_better_and_better.html

You will paraphrase, summarize, and quote the author of this article in your response in MLA format as we have discussed in class. Your response paper should be persuasive as you argue whether or not you agree or disagree with the author.

Guidelines:
You must have an effective introduction that gains the readers’ interest?You must use topic sentences and your paragraphs must be well organized?Transitions between ideas to show similarities and differences must be used regularly
You must use at least 1 direct quotation in MLA format
You must summarize and paraphrase the author
Assignment Outline:

1. Your introduction should provide a very brief summary of the entire article (X argues that ___) and endwith a thesis statement that states your reaction and thethree reasons why you agree or disagree
2. Your body paragraphs (three of them) will each explain one of the reasons why you agree or disagreea.If you agree with something, for example, you would have a topic sentence that states what youagree with and then explainwhy you agree with it in the paragraph—either citing or paraphrasing
   the author as you do this.
3. You will then have one counterargument paragraph
   a.If you agreed with the author, what is one point you disagree with?b.If you disagreed with the author, what is one point you can admit might be true?
4. Finally, you will write a concluding paragraph that restates your thesis statement and highlights the three key reasons you are right. You may want to close with a sentence that reminds us of why the issue is important to consider.