Describe how conformity affects the community in the novel The Giver. Choose one specific example and discuss it in detail. This can be a positive or negative example of conformity. Make an argument about whether that example of conformity is helpful or harmful to their community and why. Then, make a connection to your life. What’s one positive or negative example of conformity or groupthink in a community that you’re part of? Describe that community, the instance of conformity, and whether that example of conformity is helpful or harmful to your community and why.
Essay #2 Outline
You can use simple statements (or full sentences). You will use this information to write your first draft. DO NOT WRITE COMPLETE PARAGRAPHS.
I. INTRODUCTION:
HOOK: Use a specific technique from the class notes. Write something interesting about community, groupthink, conformity, or The Giver.
BACKGROUND: Give information about the book and author; connect to the prompt and give general information about the essay topics (conformity, groupthink, community).
THESIS STATEMENT: “Answer” the prompt in one or two clear sentences that connect the prompt, The Giver, and you! This thesis should mention (but not explain or describe in detail!) conformity OR groupthink in the book and your life, and make a claim (argument) about it being helpful or harmful for the community.
When writing your thesis options below, use the same ONE IDEA, but write it in two different ways. Do not write two separate thesis statements each with different ideas.
Option 1:
Option 2:
II. BODY
Body Paragraph # 1- Remember, you are only allowed one direct quote sandwich in this section, but you need to provide page numbers to all references in the book (all evidence).
Topic Sentence: introduces content in the paragraph. You should mention which specific example of conformity OR groupthink you will write about and whether it was helpful or harmful to the community in the Giver.
Supporting Idea 1 (further explains topic sentence. Describe the specific example of conformity OR groupthink in more detail.)
Specific evidence/example from the book to demonstrate groupthink or conformity. Use a direct quote (include page number).
Commentary (your turn to explain the evidence from the direct quote above and connect it to your topic sentence). Expand into multiple sentences as necessary!
Supporting Idea 2 (Argue if that example of conformity OR groupthink is helpful or harmful to their community and why.)
Commentary (your turn to explain the supporting detail above and connect it back to your topic sentence). Expand into multiple sentences as necessary!
Concluding Sentence/Transition (Connect back to your topic sentence and/or thesis. A good technique for the end of a body paragraph is to conclude this paragraph and transition into your next idea [make a link with your next topic sentence].)
Body Paragraph #2 – Remember, there is no need for a quote sandwich in this paragraph. Write about your real life situations.
Topic Sentence: Transition from the previous paragraph and briefly mention your experience with conformity OR groupthink and whether that was helpful or harmful for your community .
Supporting Idea 1 (Describe the specific example of conformity OR groupthink in more detail.)
Specific evidence (What details/examples will you provide?)
Further details and commentary on the evidence above. Connect it back to your topic sentence and expand into multiple sentences as necessary!
Supporting Idea 2 (Argue if that example of conformity OR groupthink is helpful or harmful to your community and why.)
Specific evidence (What details/examples will you provide?)
Further details and commentary on the evidence above. Connect it back to your topic sentence and expand into multiple sentences as necessary!
Concluding Sentence (Connect it back to your topic sentence and/or thesis. A good technique for your last body paragraph is to simply conclude your ideas; no transition is needed in your last body paragraph.)
CONCLUSION
Thesis restatement. Remind the reader what you have written about so far. (Rewrite your thesis with the same ideas and use new words, but do not copy it.)
Provide final thoughts. Will you use a forecast; a broader implication; present a call to action; express a hope or desire? Review the notes on Canvas.
