What Matters in America Essay #2 Assignment

The second Summary-and-Response Essay (Canvas)

Welcome to our second essay. Before you begin, please remember what we have already learned about introductory paragraphs, clear thesis sentences, robust supporting paragraphs to develop the thesis, and elegant conclusions to tie it all together.

DIRECTIONS: Essay #2 requires the same structure as Essay #1 with the addition of an outside article.

Here’s what to do:

First, please read the articles in Chapter 3, pp. 100-146, of our What Matters in America text.

Second, select one of these articles for your second essay.

Third, using the research and library skills presented elsewhere in this module, locate a companion Web article or article from a periodical having to do with the same topic as the What Matters in America article you chose.

Fourth, write a Summary-and-Response essay as you did for Essay #1, but this time blend words and/or ideas from the What Matters in America article and words and/or ideas from the outside source with your own.

Please see the example below.

Two-Source Summary-and-Response Essay Example

Once you have the outside source in hand, spend a few hours studying it to further educate yourself about your What Matters in America article’s issue(s). This additional source should give you a broader understanding and appreciation of the issue(s), an understanding and appreciation you can share with your reader.

Please remember to list both the outside source you used and your What Matters in America article on your Works Cited page.  Please be sure that your Works Cited page conforms EXACTLY to MLA guidelines. Please see the Two-Source Summary-and-Response Essay Example. 

Essay #2 Check Sheet

To be eligible to receive a grade of 70/100 or higher, your submitted essay must meet all of the assignment requirements listed below:

Your essay

____ deals with a new What Matters in America article from Chapter 3, pp. 100-146.

____ includes occasional words and/or ideas from the What Matters in America article.

____ also includes occasional words and/or ideas from the one outside source you located.

____contains mostly your words and ideas, with only occasional blending of words and information from the sources.

____ shows clear evidence of careful editing and revision

____ includes an MLA Works Cited Page listing the outside source you used as well your What Matters in America article.

____ conforms EXACTLY to MLA guidelines--you may use either MLA 7th or MLA 8th edition.