Eighth Grade English           Mrs. McDonald

Composition #1                      One paragraph essay

Due Date:                               Rough Draft due Monday, 31 August in class

                                                Final Draft due  Friday, 4 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