The poems to use for this essay are Let America Be America Again by Langston Hughes and Citizen Illegal by José Olivarez
Essay 2 Template Outline
Remember to follow the formatting rules set out on the Essay 2 assignment.
Assignment Goal: For this essay you will create an argumentative, thesis-driven essay that compares and/or contrasts two poems assigned for class for the different “truths” or perspectives they reveal about the “American Dream.” You must also relate the major claim(s) of your conclusion in your thesis statement.
You must pick one poem by José Olivarez, and one “classic” American poem (see below).
Following the introduction, students should summarize the two poems, keeping in mind some of the elements of poetry below.
Essay 2 basic structure:
Name and Title
1. Introduction
a. Opening. Move directly into your definition of the American dream. The more you can qualify your belief with evidence and define your words, the better.
b. Thesis Statement.
The thesis statement will be from 2-5 sentences long. If you look at the assignment goal, consider something like this:
In this essay, I will focus on the poem ____ by ___. I argue that the the poem’s main idea(s) is/are ___, and this relates to my definition of the dream because ____ . I also focus on the poem __ by __. I argue the poem’s main idea(s) is/are____, and this relates to my definition of the dream because _____ . In my conclusion, I argue that___.
Please note, there are other options you can make up. These are provided to you for ease of writing.
Avoid direct quotes in your introduction. Avoid general or vague opening statements.
Summary Paragraphs
Summarize the poems for readers who haven’t read them but who are curious about it. Using summary and paraphrase, put the poem into your own words.
A solid summary is about one page in length (double spaced, of course).
In terms of what to share per stanza, you’ll want to emphasize what’s important.
NOTE: Some students will put both summary paragraphs before their supporting body paragraphs. Others will put the summary paragraph for the poem, and the supporting body paragraph(s) about that poem, in the sequence together. These paragraphs can BOTH come at the start of the essay, OR you can put them before the relevant supporting body paragraph.
Example Options
Option 1: Intro/ Dream poem summary/Dream poem supporting paragraph/ Olivarez summary/Olivarez supporting paragraph/conclusion
OR
Option 2: Intro/ Dream poem summary/Olivarez summary/Dream poem supporting paragraph/Olivarez supporting paragraph/ conclusion
No direct quotes are necessary. If you want to offer short snippets of quotations, feel free…but focus on using your own words. If you do use direct quotes, remember you must follow citation rules.
Supporting Body Paragraphs: support each claim from thesis with its own topic sentence claim and supporting paragraph
[Follow College Argumentative Sequence]
Conclusion
In your conclusion, relate the knowledge communicated from the poems about the dream to the knowledge from the assigned readings and sources for the Essay 2 Conclusion, as found on the Essay 2 assignment page.
To approach this conclusion, you will need to summarize the main arguments, and even some key evidence, from the sources. You will then need to explain how the poems complement, contrast, or supplement their arguments and data, and/or how your claims about the poems complement, contrast, and/or supplement their arguments and data. Remember, to relate the major claim(s) of your conclusion at the end of your thesis statement.
