LIT 3180 Diagnostic Essay Assignment
PURPOSE: The purpose of this essay is to argue and persuade. Keep in mind that you are arguing HOW the artist/photographer builds their own argument, not providing your opinion about the topic they discussed.
AUDIENCE: Imagine that you are writing for a formal, academic audience of highly educated individuals (professors, Ph.D's, experts in their fields, etc.). Take into consideration how that will affect the voice, tone, and diction of the piece. You should not use first person, personal pronouns (we, us, you, yours, me, my, mine, our, ours, etc.), or contractions (don't, for instance, becomes "do not").
INSTRUCTIONS:
Examine each of the images linked below. Choose the one you respond to most, and argue what you see as the overall theme of that work and what you see as the three most important symbols and their connection to this theme. Your essay should be a minimum of 5 WELL-DEVELOPED paragraphs
NOTE: Theme = Central Idea communicated by a work
Symbol = Mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different concepts and experiences.
You may only choose one image as your subject.
Choose ONE of the following:
Image #3: Photographer: Karina Juarez Title of Work: Hormiguero
Note: English Translation = Anthill
This image is from the series Actions to Remember
Before you begin writing, you should prewrite (make use of invention work): Brainstorm, freewrite, list, chart, outline, map/web or somehow organize your thoughts.
Write an essay of 2.5 to 3 pages (including a strong main point/thesis/claim that you prove with specific examples and convincing evidence from the image). This should be in MLA format (typed, double-spaced, 1" margins all around, Times New Roman 12 point font).
You should have a min. of 5 well-developed paragraphs. Details, specific examples, and explaining how examples are connected to your theme are important.
Do not use outside sources. You must use your own ideas only.
Include an introduction and a conclusion, plus several organized supporting paragraphs (or more) with transitions to connect your thoughts and ideas.
Give your essay a title.
Underline your thesis/claim in the intro and in the conclusion.
As noted below, your essay should not be your own emotional reaction to the image, but rather explain how the artist/photographer builds an argument to persuade their audience.
PROOFREAD and REVISE before turning in your paper.
To submit your completed essay: log into Ulearn, click "Submit Essays/Assignments" from the menu in the gray-shaded area at the left of the screen and then click "Essays" and then "Diagnostic Essay."
Be sure you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser and upload Microsoft Word files only.
For questions about general MLA format, see OWL Purdue.
Your grade for this assignment will be based on the following criteria:
Total possible points for this assignment: 20
Focus (5 points): Does essay have a clear purpose? Provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the photograph/painting? Does it present a clear meaning/interpretation?
Development (5 points): Are there detailed descriptions of the painting/photo? Does the writer avoid giving detail without illustrating importance? Does the writer break the work down into individual components and discuss their importance to the work as a whole? Does the writer make use of the strategies for understanding visual representations? Does the writer use this knowledge to create a basis for breakdown with the purpose and audience squarely in mind? Help others understand the image as they do?
Organization (5 points): Do ideas and paragraphs proceed in logical and apparent sequence or pattern? Does writer use sufficient audience cues to let the reader know what has been discussed, what is being discussed, or what will be discussed? Does writer use attention-getting title and lead-in, paragraph hooks, transitional words and phrases? Does writer guide the reader from beginning to end?
Style (3 points): Is language clear direct and readable? Are sentences clear, concise, and easily read by intended audience? Is word choice appropriate for audience? Do sentences reveal and sustain appropriate voice and tone?
Mechanics (2 points): Are there obvious errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar? Are there patterns of error?
Grading scale:
A 18-20
B 16-17
C 14-15
D 12-13
F 0-11
