Note: This is the first of two essay assignments in a short-term–i.e., 9 week–class during Fall 1999. We moved quickly. This first essay was assigned the first week we met; the second week we had an exam on Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and the first draft of essay #1 was due; the revision of essay #1 was due during week three.

The second essay was a 15-20 page research essay on a subject of the student’s choosing with the instructor’s OK. A journal is also due by the first exam date. The journal includes the student’s informal responses and questions about the reading material, Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and the essays mentioned in the Spatt textbook.

Topic: African-American Culture and Racial Perceptions

Directions:

We will be adapting Spatt’s Writing From Sources, Assignment 13, pages 362-63. Review her instructions, but follow these: Read all of James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and all nine essays in Appendix E., pps. 481--543 of Spatt.. Take notes while you read and reread all of the above, and keep in mind that you will be developing a thesis. (See Spatt’s Index for the many explanations of a thesis.) Your notes and a working thesis statement, along with a "research question," will be invaluable as you begin to write and shape your early draft. What question are you attempting to answer? What analysis do you want to make? When you take notes be sure to indicate which material is copied from the source and what material must be credited–whether it is a quote, paraphrase or summary. Your drafts will be read and critiqued in class by your colleagues. See below for essay due date and length requirements.

Documentation Model:

Modern Language Association (MLA)

See Spatt, Chapter 9 (pps. 364-94) and Appendix B (p.442-51) for guidelines.

Your essay–from first draft to last revision; from in-text to Works Cited page–must include at least one citation from Baldwin and four citations from Spatt’s Appendix E.

Deadlines:

T 10/26 Essay #1 (Handwritten Draft–10-14 pages plus a works cited page--due at

the start of class)

Appendix E. "Readings for a Research Essay," pps. 514-54

Exam on Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time

Journal will be reviewed during the exam. Journal should include several

page response to Baldwin’s book and from Spatt, all of Appendix E.

Journal length: for this assignment expect to do about 1,000 words; 200

words (or 2 handwritten pages) on Baldwin and 800 (or 8 handwritten

pages re: all of Appendix E.

Th 10/28 Essay #1 (Typed Draft–5-7 pages plus a works cited page–due at the

start of class)

T 11/2 Essay #1 (Typed Revision--5-7 pages plus a works cited page–due at the

start of class)

This is the 2^nd essay required during an 18 week English 103 class from spring 1999. Due dates for the numerous steps for the assignment are listed below along with due dates for journal and exam.

Essay #2 Topic: your choice inspired by: "Driving Mr. Albert" (an essay about driving

across the U.S. with Albert Einstein’s brain and the physician who

performed the autopsy on the late mathematician and scientist.)

or inspired by one of the following essays from

The Best American Essays: Sontag/400; Cofer/34; Hongo/64;

Sanders/137; Hoagland/213; Kappel-Smith/234; Thomas/275;

Crouch/316; Early/336.

Length and Format: 15-17 pages, typed, double-spaced and follow MLA guidelines for

Grade: This research project will be worth 35% of your course grade; all writing

Tues. 3/15 Due: 1-2 page typed proposal. State what you know about the topic, what

Thurs. 3/17 Mid-term Exam re: nature of research and "Driving Mr. Albert"

Journal reviewed: "Driving Mr. Albert," and essays by Sontag, Cofer, and

Spring Recess: 3/22-26

Tues. 3/30 Due: 2 page typed progress report. Include a working title, a working thesis

Thurs. 4/8 Due: Outline and Annotated Bibliography with 15 (not 10) sources listed

Thurs. 4/15 Draft "A" Due: 15-17 page research paper, typed, following MLA guidelines

Journal reviewed: Sanders, Hoagland, Kappel-Smith, Thomas

Thurs. 4/22 Draft "B" Due: 15-17 page research paper, typed, following MLA guidelines