In this unit, we have been reading essays in which authors propose solutions for problematic situations.  As readers, you have been asked to make purposeful, specific comparisons as a preliminary step in the analytical process.

Prompt: Writers will respond to three different essays about the same problem.  Writers should assess the proposed solutions by comparing them to personal experiences, other texts, and historical events.

Purpose: Writers will demonstrate their ability to make specific, detailed connections to the reading material.

Content: Writers should make the following comparisons to each essay: text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world.

Format:  This is a reading response essay in which you are able to use 1st person, but it should be organized so that it shows the trajectory of your ideas and the reasons you arrived at your conclusion.

Introduction=You should provide some brief background information about the problematic situation, identify each author, essay title, and solutions proposed by each author.  Thesis: Identification of your most preferred solutions.

Body Paragraphs=In each body paragraph, assess author’s proposed solutions through a comparison to self, text, and world events.

–Text-to-Self Connection=Discuss the ways in which an aspect of the problem or solution connects to a personal experience.

—Text-to-Text Connection=Discuss the ways in which an aspect of the problem or solution is similar to one found in a fictional literary work, a movie, or show.

—Text-to-World Connection=Explain the similarities between the current problem and a historical situation.  Apply the author’s proposed solutions to the historical situation and describe the resolution as productive or ineffective.

Conclusion= Re-summarize problematic situation & authorial proposals, Restate thesis (identification of best proposal) & explain reasons for thesis (how your comparisons helped you assess the validity of the proposed solutions).

You MUST:

• Type
• Double-space
• Respond to the Prompt in a manner that shows critical thinking about the material
• Follow MLA guidelines
• Use 12 Point Times New Roman Font
• Use One-inch Margins top, bottom, and sides
• Use MLA guidelines for headings, headers (including page #s), and titles
• Use correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
• Use academic language (Only use 1st person in text-to-self area, no 2nd person, no questions, no contractions, and no informal language)
• Use specific textual examples to back up your arguments