Eighth
Grade English Mrs. McDonald
Composition
#1 One
paragraph essay
Due
Date: Rough Draft due Tuesday,
2 September in class
Final
Draft due Tuesday,
9 September by break in the basket in Rm 214
Topic: In
“Happy Women”, Louisa May Alcott writes about women in the nineteenth century
who
choose
an alternative lifestyle to what is expected from women at that time. However,
according
to Alcott and the women she interviews, happiness and a sense of achievement
can be
accomplished outside of the marriage bond.
Assignment: In a
one paragraph essay, explain why Alcott’s women are good examples of
independent
thinkers
who believe and prove through their actions and decisions that happiness and
fulfillment can be achieved successfully outside of the bonds of marriage.
Requirements: 1.Original
title. DO NOT USE the title used by Alcott. Use your own creativity and impel
the
reader
to want to read what you have written by gaining her attention through the
use of a
title that is catchy without being trite. This might be an easier task if you
kept it
until after you have written the essay. Do not underline or quote the title.
Center
the title and capitalize only the main words
in your title. Keep the title 3-5 words.
Do not
use a sentence or a question as your title.
2.
Correct heading format.
3.
Use third person point of view.
4.
Do not use contractions.
5.
Use vivid verbs and adjectives.
6.
Word process or type your essay.
Format:
1.Topic Sentence. This sentence should be similar to a map. It
gives direction to your entire paragraph.
The
sentence should include a. the name of the article, b. the author of the
article and c. a simple
statement
of what you will be writing about in your paragraph. SEE SAMPLE.
2.Body
Sentences. Use one example or reason taken from the information in the
article which supports
specifically what you stated in your topic sentence. Make sure the example or
reason is a direct
reference
from the article; however, do not use direct quotes from the article.
Paraphrase the support
in your
own words. SEE SAMPLE
3.Conclusive
Sentence. This is a restatement of your topic sentence which should also
include a
summary of the support you gave in the body sentences. Be
sure no new information is
included in this sentence. This is simply a summary of what
you supported in your body. SEE SAMPLE