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.

1. 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]?

1. 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

1. 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. 

1. 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). 

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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

1.  

Intro   Paragraph

2

(Optional hook) 

Introductory ideas: Provide   an extended definition or a brief history of the problem

Bridge/transition to thesis

1. Thesis

 

1. Body *section 1: 2-3   paragraphs
3. 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. 

1.  

Conclusion   Paragraph

Wrap up 

Concluding thoughts 

 

Annotated   Bibliography

1. 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)