I am attaching the summarized paper, along with notes from the professor on errors that were made along with new instructions
1. Attached paper
2. Notes from the Professor on the Attached paper
First of all- you’re not supposed to write the paper. That’s due this week. Last week was the prep work for it.
Second- your first two examples go against your thesis. Your thesis is that the poem does NOT represent the true immigrant experience and the you offer two examples of immigrants being welcome as the poem says.
Your examples also aren’t great because they are about policies and law only (which is valid but not sufficient)– none of them are about how the actual immigrants experienced them.
Third: NO OUTSIDE RESEARCH IS ALLOWED. You’re supposed to be using this paper to synthesize and apply the content from the course into a coherent argument.
Lastly- your examples are too zoomed-out- you didn’t include any of the personal stories, quotes, events, or examples from the course content.
3. New instructions
In 1903, the following famous poem by Emma Lazarus was engraved and placed upon the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. Think about this poem’s message. Did immigrants’ experiences reflect the hope and promise of this poem?
The New Colossus
By Emma Lazarus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Review Alicia Ostriker reads and discusses Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus” (This link opens in new window) to learn about the meaning of the poem.
Following is a template for writing the essay that you may use if you wish. Parts 2 and 3 can have as many paragraphs as you wish.
Part 1: Introductory paragraphs
State your thesis. For example: The poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus promises hope for immigrants coming to America, but did America really live up to the promise of this poem?
Let the reader know where you stand on this question. Did immigrants’ experiences reflect the promises of the poem or not. Or did some immigrants have different experiences than others? Make sure your ending sentence lets the reader know what you plan to argue. Remember you do not have to choose one side or the other, you can argue that both sides are true if you wish.
Then, explain the meaning of the poem. Even though you are making an argument about the poem in your thesis, you can still circle back to discuss the poem’s meaning AFTER stating the thesis. Don’t get so bogged down in explaining the poem that you don’t state your thesis until paragraphs down. Thesis statement goes first, then poem explanation comes second.
Part 2: What are some historical examples that support your thesis? Provide specific examples (several paragraphs- this is the meat of the paper). Please use in-text citations of the course content that you pull examples from.
Part 3: What are some historical examples that contradict your thesis? Provide specific examples. Please use in-text citations of the course content that you pull examples from. Make sure to acknowledge that this evidence contradicts your thesis and to explain why you stand by your thesis anyway. Explain the example away.
Part 4: Closing paragraph. Restate your introduction in different words and make a final pronouncement about what the promise of the poem really meant for immigrants.
