UWS-65A: Everyday Apocalypse
Assignment Prompt and Instructions
UWS-65A: Everyday Apocalypse
Spring 2023
Ethan King
The lens essay, the first of two major papers you will write, asks you to put two unrelated texts in conversation as a means to develop an argument that would not have been possible with just one of those texts. The purpose of this essay is to prepare you for the research paper, for which you will use multiple sources—or lenses—to make an argument. In other words, the lens essay will give you practice for the longer and more complex research essay.
- Pre-Draft 1.1 (Due: Monday, 1/23)
- Pre-Draft 1.2 (Due: Thursday, 1/26)
- Pre-Draft 1.3 (Due: Monday, 1/30)
- Pre-Draft 1.4 (Due: Thursday, 2/2)
- Pre-Draft 1.5 (Due: Monday, 2/6)
- Rough Draft with Cover Letter (Due: Thursday 2/9)
- Revised Draft with Cover Letter (Due: Friday, 3/3)
Readings/Media
- Bo Burnham, Inside (Netflix)
- Jia Tolentino, "The I in the Internet"
- Nicole Seymour, excerpts from Bad Environmentalism
- Anne Lamott, "Shitty First Drafts"
- Ron DePeter, “How to Write Meaningful Peer Response Praise”
- Jillian Grauman, “What’s That Supposed to Mean? Using Feedback on Your Writing”
PowerPoints/Handouts
- Gordon Harvey, "Elements of an Academic Argument"
- "Motivating Moves"
- "Features of a Successful Thesis"
- "Tips for Writing an Effective Thesis Statement"
- Thesis Statement Power Point
- "Writing Successful Introductory Paragraphs"
- Close Reading Handout — Duke University
- Using the Lens Examples
- Constructing Effective Body Paragraphs
- Body Paragraphs Powerpoint
- Formatting and Citations PowerPoint