Instruction
350 words essay synthesis about the Elephant Man John Merrick
Q. \Vhat should I write about?
Anything explicitly and carefully related to a text or texts (including films and
art rvorks) dealt with in class.
Important Note: Avoid the Big Topics such as "Thoreau and Freedom,"
"Painting and Progress," etc. At best, such far-ranging topics are the stuff of book- length works; at worst, they make tbr overly vague and unfbcused essays. Instead, select a smaller, more specific and manageable topic that you can adequately explain in approximately 1500 words. Two examples: "Thoreau's Thoughts on Law and Individual Conscience"; "The lv'lan at l(orkExhlbition: Depictions of Technology in National S ocralist Germany. "
Q. I wontler, what does the instructor want from me for this assignment?
Don't write tbr the instructor. Write instead to infbrm an imaginary reader who
is intelligent but who knows nothing about the particulars of the texUs and task/s to rvhrch your essay applies (see next section below). Equally important: Write also for yourself and for the authors and artists, texts and works, ideas and opinions that you deeply care about. lf you deeply care about nothing we've read or discussed, go back and reconsider the material. If a suitable essay topic is eluding you, come see me. Although I won't assign you a topic. we can chat in a manner that might help you firrd one on your own.
As stated on the first day of class, you will be graded on the originality, relevance, and precision ofyour thesis; on the quality ofyour support for it; and on how wellyou sum up your vier.vs. All essays must demonstrate mastery of the basics of standard vritten English: spelling, grammar, t'ocabulary, punctuation,
paragraphing, organi:ation and concision.
Your Writing, Your Word Choices
* Do not assume that yottr reader is familiar with the material upon vhich your topic is based. Follow the journalistic rule of succinctly addressing the question words Who? What? Where? When? How? and Why? early in your introduction. These first