Common Assignment Prompt

For your third and final formal writing assignment in ENGL 101, you are asked to consider Adam Gopnik’s "The Caging of America," an article in the January 30, 2012 New Yorker. Using your own reading and understanding of the Gopnik article, along with your own research and the research of your peers, you will write a 5-6 page critique of Gopnik’s argument. This paper should:

1. Provide a thorough and accurate summary of the Gopnik article (including a clear statement of Gopnik's thesis.)

2. Contain an arguable thesis and build an argument to support that thesis.

3. Utilize (through the strategies of paraphrase, summary, and quotation) 3-4 credible, college-level sources, including the Gopnik article.

4. Document all sources fully and correctly both in text and on a works cited page. Use signal phrases and embedding strategies to indicate use of and evaluations of research.

5. Demonstrate academic conventions using Standard English, an awareness of an academic or professional audience, and a logical organizational plan.

The thesis of your essay should either address the way in which your research supports Gopnik's argument or the way in which your research suggests deficiencies. Is there something that Gopnik has not taken into account? Is there research that would further support what Gopnik is trying to argue? Is there research that Gopnik has misunderstood or misrepresented? Use your research and your own reading to test the argument Gopnik makes.

We will workshop working thesis statements for these papers on Friday, June 6.  You will begin this process by writing your summary of Gopnik. This should be no longer than about 2-2 1/2 pages. Bring completed summaries with you to class on Wednesday, June 4 for a peer review activity.  This will help you better understand and process the Gopnik article. In the meantime, it will give you time to think about how you want to engage Gopnik in conversation. Write your thesis AFTER you have written the summary.

First drafts will be due by email to Kristin NO LATER than midnight on Monday, June 9.  Please bring 3 copies of the essay with you to class on  June 11 for peer review. 

Final drafts can be turned in by 5 pm on Wednesday, June 18 in person (I will post office hours for that day) or by email. I will not take any final drafts after 5pm on Wednesday, June 18.