Choose one of the two topics described below. In this essay, you will have to state an opinion, or thesis, in the introduction to your essay, unless you use an anecdotal kind of introduction. But your opinion needs to be clearly stated as near to the beginning of the essay as possible. Remember that you should never, ever say “In this essay I will show how”…and then state your opinion. Just state your opinion. And in the rest of your essay, you will support it with convincing evidence. If you use an analytical introduction, try to lead up to your thesis logically. This was explained in the instructions for your first essay.
Topic A: Defend Sanders’ quotation
In his article, “Looking at Women,” Sanders says: “One can leave the X-rated zone of the city, but one cannot escape the sticky reach of commerce, which summons girls to the high calling of cosmetic glamor, fashion, and sexual display, while it summons boys to the panting chase.” If you agree with this statement, develop an essay in which you state the quote, explain it briefly, and tell your reader that you agree with it. Then, support your agreement with several examples that you, personally, are aware of and have observed, whether it be in the media (magazines, ads, commercials, movies, current events, videos, etc.) or in real life experiences. Describe this evidence in detail. Your evidence should be cited correctly. For example, although I do not require that you use MLA format (footnotes, parenthetical citations or works cited) you should say where your observations come from. For example, if you see an ad in a magazine, cite the name and date of the magazine, but put it in the flow of your sentence. For example: In the March, 2013 edition of Elle magazine, there was an ad for…..” Do not use an URL of an internet source but name the website. Do not under any circumstances find someone else’s essay about this subject and quote them. You must be the observer and provide the evidence from your own observations and research. Besides describing and citing these examples, you should provide a conclusion with some kind of further opinion about this aspect of society that you are describing. Do you approve of it? Is it something to be avoided? Should something be done about it? To make your essay convincing, I recommend that you have at least three, well described, examples. If you use more, that would be okay, but they must all be well described and appropriate to the topic.
Topic B:-Making History
Many people believe that Laurel Ulrich’s slogan, “Well behaved women seldom make history,” means that in order to effect change in society, people (not just women) need to behave badly, or go against accepted behavior. Try to apply this statement to your own ideas about how to make history, when it comes to ONE of two issues: either making history with regard to doing away with heterosexism (discrimination against gays, lesbians, etc.) or with sexism, which statistically, in this country, is discrimination against women. If neither of those issues tickles your fancy, you might discuss the issue of adultism (discrimination against younger people) , ageism (discrimination against older people), ableism (discrimination against people with disabilities), or racism (discrimination against people because of race). Only choose ONE of those!! Whichever issue you choose, be sure to make it clear what your thesis is. For example, you might say something like, “I would like to change the world so that there is no more adultism.” And then be sure to explain what that is and how big a problem it is. And then, discuss how you would make history to do away with it. Would you behave badly? Go into detail about what steps you would take to make history regarding that issue.
