In this assignment, you are writing a short personal essay on a national/global issue of your choice. The model of the personal essay should be similar to the “My Turn” essays once published in Newsweek. We will look at examples in class and discuss writing to a general, public audience. Other examples will be available on the class website. In these essays, the writer typically finds an argument that is relevant in his or her life and argues the broader concern, using personal examples. When considering the topic, think about a subject that is close to your heart (so that you will be creatively engaged and interest your readers). In some cases, your subject might be able to be developed more in your future long research paper, but this is not required.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this assignment is to 1) engage the public on a controversy or misunderstood subject; 2) explore the argument by acknowledging or recognizing the opposing argument and refuting it; 3) assert a strong case for your argument by using personal experience and anecdotes; and 4) help you find your voice as a writer.
FORMAT: Your draft must have a creative title. Examine the titles of the sample “My Turn” essays: notice that most of the titles are descriptive and incorporates the writer’s argument. If you have a Works Cited page, it should include full bibliography of all text cited in MLA format. (See your textbook or handbook for reference).
Study the format of the “My Turn” essays and consider how you want to introduce and close your essay. Most “My Turn” essays open with an anecdote whose relation to the argument is direct and obvious. An excellent personal essay is expected to have a precise and interesting introduction, a rhetorically powerful conclusion, and arguments well supported by textual evidence (quoting an individual whose remarks are significant to your topic), and/or historic or personal examples.
AUDIENCE: Your intended audience is a popular audience, the readers of a national magazine who are not necessarily familiar with the nuances or specifics of your subject or the location from which you write—and who may actually feel hostile to your argument. Consider carefully, how you would open the topic in your essay and how you will win them over to your position. You should anticipate your reader’s response to your topic and incorporate your rebuttal to that response in your essay.