Assignment: To compose a 750-1000 word (3-4 pages) typewritten essay (adhering to MLA format) in the expository mode that shapes the information surrounding a significant current event.
The Research Question: How is history written? While historical events are most often thought of as factual information, writers relating cultural/historical events decide which facts to include, how to relate the events, and how to talk about those impacted by the events. As you read through the various accounts of your chosen current event, what do you think is the essential core of this particular event? How will you shape the various facts and statistics to reflect an important human interest story?
As does Barbara Tuchman in her essay “’This is the End of the World’: The Black Death,” strike a balance between the purely factual and the human perspective in an expository essay that shapes the information concerning your chosen event. Your decisions regarding what and how to write must be guided by what you consider to be the true legacy and historical importance of this national/international event. You will include 7-10 sources in this paper. These are the sources you gathered from the various news media as they covered the unfolding story.
The successful paper will include a clear, well-developed thesis and follow good expository writing rules. You must format and document your paper appropriately, using MLA rules.
You will include secondary sources in this paper. You must take care to avoid intentional and unintentional plagiarism. The penalties for plagiarism are outlined in the syllabus, the Student Code, and the CFA Department’s Statement on Plagiarism.
Amended Schedule
Week 6 (2/12-2/16)
Students read for class:
“This is the End of the World”
“Is a Holy War Inevitable?” —Practice Précis Due
Responsive Writing
Week 7 (2/19-2/23)
Students read for class:
“Why McDonald’s Fries Taste So Good”—Précis I Due for this Reading
Responsive Writing
Topics Due for Expository Paper
Week 8 (2/26-3/2)
“How Computers Change the Way We Think”—Précis II Due for this Reading
The Midterm Exam
Week 9 Week 9 (3/5-3/9)
The Expository Essay Due