Typical First Assignment: Description plus

Here is Sarah Bereiter's first assignment.  This asisgnment has elemnts of personal narrative, description and analysis.  She offers her students three options from which to choose.  She also presents a specific format for students to follow as they draft their essays.

ESSAY ASSIGNMENT 1: Identity Essay – Exploring our Experiences and Ourselves

Overview:

In the readings “Hair,” “Burls,” and “Prince,” we see that every individual has a unique identity that is influenced by a variety of experiences, knowledge, people, places, objects, etc.

For our first formal essay assignment you will be writing a descriptive essay that says something about your identity. For the focus of this essay, you may choose from one of the following three options:

1) Discuss, analyze and describe an object or place and its personal meaning or connection with you. For example, you could relate your car to your sense of freedom or write about a vacation spot you visited when you were young that reminds you of innocence.

2) Discuss, analyze, and describe an element of your identity and how it affects your larger identity/life. For example, if you identify yourself as a soccer player, does it make you a team player and open to collaborative work in other environments?

3) Discuss, analyze, and describe a significant moment in your life and how it has affected you or the course of your life.

Though you will be using yourself as the subject of this essay, remember that your essay should have a specific purpose and you should use concise and concrete language that is appropriate for an academic audience. As you write your essay, consider using various rhetorical strategies, such as description, narration, analysis, etc.

Organization: Your essay should consist of at least 6 paragraphs. 

Introduction Paragraph: Your introduction should be engaging and encourage your reader to want to continue reading. It should establish the focus of your essay in a clear and effective manner (without summarizing the essay).

Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should include a specific sub-topic of your overall topic. Be sure that your paragraphs thoroughly explain your experience and flow together logically.

Conclusion Paragraph: In your final paragraph, be sure to emphasize the significance of your essay topic.

Length: 3-4 pgs

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