Instruction
Write:
Benjamin Franklin
Writing Prompt
Choose two topics that Benjamin Franklin writes about in his Autobiography and compare and contrast them with any of the other writings we have studied thus far. For example, Franklin writes about religion and religious activities in colonial America. He also gives a lot of information about work and employment in this period. Either of these two topics can be compared and contrasted with other colonists we have read. Another example of a subject would be education. Think about his education, and what does write about in the Autobiographyabout the importance of education and why? How do his views on knowledge or his experience in schooling reflect that of others in colonial America? Franklin is a self-made man, at least in his opinion, but he is also aware that he was also privileged in some ways. How does Franklin’s experience compare and contrast with those of other colonial Americans?
Write a four-to-six-page essay (12 font, text-only page count, double-spaced with no extra spacing between paragraphs). The appropriate word count is 1400-1800 words, and I will return ungraded a short paper and treat it as a late paper. You will have to re-submit the essay with the proper length (one letter grade removed before grading).
A compare and contrast essay points out similarities and differences and provides evidence to substantiate each point. This assignment is an argumentative or persuasive writing essay. The writing must be in your own words or quotations must be short, few, and clearly defined with quotation marks. I am not interested in your research, but instead, I want to see your analysis. Do not string quotations together with little commentary to explain the reasons for choosing them.
The four-to-six-page essay is due this Friday, September 4th, at 11:59 p.m. This first draft is not the graded final paper. You will continue to work on your paper. The final essay is due September 11th at 11:59 p.m.