ENGL 1102
Gordon College
S. Powers
Essay #1: Argumentative Essay
An argument is a stance on an issue or a topic, backed up with reasons and evidence. In a course
where we use literature as a starting point for our discussion and our writing, we can consider our
interpretations of what we read arguments too, provided we back them up with developed
reasons, as well as evidence from the texts to support those reasons.
For your first essay of the semester, you can choose from one of the three options below.
1) Examine Woody Allen’s style of writing in “The Kugelmass Episode.” What is the
tone of the story? How is the tone created through descriptions, allusions, and irony?
Use examples from the story to support your claim.
2) What do you think is the theme of “The Star”? What do you think is the implied
message about that theme? Do you agree? Why or why not?
3) Consider music and Agnes in “Naked Woman Playing Chopin.” What, exactly, does
music mean to Agnes? Use examples to support your claim.
This essay does not require outside research or reading. Use your text and your own thoughts,
observations, and experience as evidence.
It is especially important to proofread this essay carefully, sentence by sentence. College writing
requires professionalism, and lazy, sloppy editing of a paper will receive a low score. Writers
who obviously forget to at least run the spell check almost always fail. Using your copy of the
Gordon College Reference Guide to help you, proofread for and eliminate the following problems
if they are present in your first draft (more than five types of major errors will fail the essay):
comma splices, run-ons, and fragments
misspelled words
incorrect usage of their, they’re, there, your, and you’re
clichés
wordiness
long paragraphs
undeveloped paragraphs
any other language entanglements
I recommend reading your paper aloud, and maybe even asking someone to read it aloud to you.
This helps catch grammar problems and clunky sentences.
Length: 3 pages, minimum. Be sure to format correctly according to MLA conventions.
Points will be taken off if your paper does not look EXACTLY and in ALL ways like the MLA
sample given on the course website. If you use quotes from the text, you must include a Works
Cited page and format your citations correctly.
Due Thursday, July 2nd. Upload the file for your paper to turnitin.com before class.