Description
The process will be broken into 2 parts: (1) gathering evidence by researching and keeping a quote bank of potentially useful evidence, and (2) drafting and revising the essay
You have already read one major source, Oryx and Crake. This week we start researching for the other 4 sources. But first, you have to pick your topic, so let’s move on to the prompt question.
Using Oryx and Crake and at least 4 readings you find through the FULLERTON College library database, write a thesis-driven essay thhen answer the following question:
Pharmaceutical companies help alleviate suffering, but they also increase suffering in some ways. How does Atwood present pharmaceutical companies? What are some of the negative impacts of pharmaceutical companies in our own (real and current) world? What solutions should be implemented to prevent or limit these negative impacts?
This essay will require two introductory paragraphs. This is common in longer essays. One paragraph will focus on Oryx and Crake (your inspiration for your research paper) and one will focus on the real life problem.
- The first introduction paragraph should:
Introduce Oryx and Crake with a brief summary (about 2-3 sentences)
And then answer the first question in the prompt: How does Atwood present [x topic]?
- In 4-6 sentences, explain how Atwood treats this topic in her novel, or what you learned about this topic from her novel
Refer to characters and events most directly related to this topic
Cite any quotes, paraphrases, or summaries
Then transition away from the book into the real world. In 1-2 sentences, move toward the idea that this issue does not just exist in a book, but in real life as well
The second introduction paragraph should:
Include introductory ideas (about 4-6 sentences) that introduce your essay topic and relate to your entire essay.
Describe your topic with an extensive definition or a brief history.
Introduce the sources you use,
Summarize and blend quotes more often than using complete quotes, and
Cite each sentence that has an idea from a source, even if that idea is a summary or a brief reference to an idea you learned from research
- End with your thesis.
Your thesis should:
Respond to the remaining 2 prompt questions (negative impacts and solutions for your topic)
Be 1-2 sentences,
Be clear, and
Be specific.
(See the thesis templates below for more help.)
Your thesis should not talk about the novel
Your 4-6 body paragraphs should focus on answering one or more of the prompt questions and proving your thesis.
- Each of your body paragraphs should:
Start with a topic sentence (i.e., the main point of your paragraph that responds to one of the prompt questions).
- Include cited evidence from the source(s).
Introduce sources/speakers,
- Summarize evidence most often and/or use blended quotes, (and only quote when there’s a good reason to), and
- Cite sources (Author #).
Thoroughly explain how all of your evidence proves your point and why the evidence and/or your point is important (i.e., analyze your evidence).
- You may include evidence from Oryx and Crake if you want to say how something in the novel is similar to or different from the real world issue, but you do not have to refer to the novel in the body.
- Finally, end your essay with a conclusion that:
Wraps up your ideas (in 1-2 sentences) and
Includes concluding thoughts that discuss one topic that relates to the entire essay (4-6 sentences)
Example topics: The importance of this topic or issue, a call to action (i.e., convince us to do something about it right now), how this might relate to more people than we might think, the larger significance of this issue, what might happen if we do nothing, what might happen if we address this issue, etc.
- For this essay, there’s one main organizational pattern that makes sense. I’ve broken down the pattern below.
It’s important to note that your essay should have at least 4 body paragraphs, and should be at least 6 full pages (when using MLA format).
Part of Essay
Paragraph Suggestions
Intro Paragraph 1
- In 2-3 sentences, summarize the plot of Oryx and Crake
In 4-6 sentences, explain how Atwood treats your topic in her novel
- Transition from the book to the real world. In 1-2 sentences, move toward the idea that this issue does not just exist in a book, but in real life as well
Intro Paragraph
2
(Optional hook)
Introductory ideas: Provide an extended definition or a brief history of the problem
Bridge/transition to thesis
- Thesis
- Body *section 1: 2-3 paragraphs
- Describe the negative impacts/consequences. Consider how reliable sources describe it.
- You may have 2-3 major impacts, or one impact broken into 2-3 sub-points
Body *section 2: 2-4 paragraphs
Describe research-based solutions people can implement to help stop or reduce the negative impacts
Explain why and/or how these strategies might be helpful.
You may have 1-2 different solutions.
Conclusion Paragraph
Wrap up
Concluding thoughts
Annotated Bibliography
- Don’t forget to add an Annotated Bibliography as the final page of your essay. (we will discuss the Ann Bib details in the next module)