Learning Goal: I’m working on a english writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

Preparation

As you know, you were asked to prepare for this exam by reviewing all of the LibreText readings since the midterm exam. Hopefully you have done that!

Now, The Prompt . . .

Using four selected essays in a very interconnected way for whichever prompt option you select, write a highly focused, well-developed, and thesis-driven persuasive essay (an argument) in response to ONE of the three prompts below. Be sure to place the letter of the prompt you select at the top of the page and also be sure to underline your thesis statement.

A. Argue for a single unifying moral or ethical message that is being presented by all four authors–to varying degrees and with slight differences of course, since they are all unique readings and none of them are necessarily conveying the exact same message (or are they?). With that said, your goal is to develop a focus in your thesis and essay that does make the case for a unified moral or ethical message they all convey through different topics.

B. Argue for a common thread you see among four authors regarding practical solutions they offer to real-world problems. In this prompt, remember that you are arguing that the authors are presenting a solution of some sort to a problem. It may not necessarily be the same problem (it may be) or the same solution, but you are arguing that they’re related on some level that you articulate in your thesis and essay!

C. Argue for strong similarities between four authors’ writing styles. In your thesis and essay you will need to make the case that four authors (four essays) are all very similar from a rhetorical standpoint. This prompt has little to do with discussing the actual content of the readings beyond what that content does to illustrate the authors’ styles. Feel free to choose whatever rhetorical elements you like: tone/voice, word choices, sentence structures, expressions, examples, target audience, etc.

Basics:

Length: Approximately 1,200 – 1,500 words

Voice: ONLY THIRD PERSON (absolutely no first or second person)

MLA: A Works Cited page is not required; however, quotes from the selected essay (used to support your argument) must be in accordance with MLA guidelines for “in-text” quoting of less than four lines. There should be NO large block quotes (more than four lines) and no paraphrases (only direct quotes).

NOTE: Do not plagiarize, as this form of cheating carries serious consequences–this absolutely includes text produced by AI (my filters will detect it).

NOTE: Be sure to watch the clock and submit the exam with plenty of time to spare (do not wait until the last minute because I will not accept late exams sent to me as email attachments–NO EXCEPTIONS). I have given the class an extra hour, and part of my reasoning for doing so was to guarantee we will not have students claiming they could not submit the exam in time!