J. Roth/English 101

Essay Assignment #1: Development by Example, pp. 180-193 in STWW

• Value: up to 100 points

• Due: Beginning of class, Wednesday, October 12

• Group 1 Peer Editing Workshop--Wednesday, October 5

• Group 2 Peer Editing Workshop--Thursday, October 6

• Format: MLA format (Please see the Sample Student Essay, pp. 187-189 in STWW for an example of formatting.

• Length: 400-500 words (Two to three effective examples (a paragraph per example) plus an introductory paragraph with a thesis and a concluding paragraph.)

• Sample Outline

Paragraph 1—Introduction and thesis sentence

Paragraph 2—Example #1

Paragraph 3—Example #2

Paragraph 4—Example #3

Paragraph 5—Conclusion

Steps to follow:

First, please read carefully STWW, pp. 180-193. Look particularly at the Sample Student Essay on pp. 187-189. Another example of an essay developed by examples is Frustrations of a College Student. This essay lies in the “Help from Me” files under Sample Essays in Writers’ Resources on our web site.

Next, browse the twenty Essay Topics on pp. 185-6 of STWW and select one.

Then, begin drafting your essay by first selecting examples and creating an outline.

Set your draft aside occasionally to develop some distance. Then return to your draft to revise it.

Put your draft through at least three full revisions before your scheduled Peer Editing Workshop.

Bring two copies of your revised draft to your Peer Editing Workshop and be ready to give and receive constructive, helpful reactions.

Next, incorporate into another revision as many of your peer group’s comments as you think appropriate and revise again.

Finally, fine-tooth-comb your way through this revision to edit it.

Submit your final draft by the due date.