Prompt:
The theme of freedom is found to varying degrees in many selections in our textbook as well as other texts, television shows, films, history, and contemporary society. Though there are many examples, some examples from Portable Literature include:
“The Storm” by Kate Chopin
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
“Dulce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen
“Harlem” by Langston Hughes
Trifles by Susan Glaspell
*Your task is to write a definition paper by examining the concept of freedom. Freedom is an abstract term, so it is your job to make it concrete for the reader.
What is freedom?
What concrete general and specific examples of freedom could you give to your reader from the text? From society? From history?
What symbols represent freedom?
What are some examples from our textbook?
Also, when you define an abstract concept, you should also include what it is not. What is the opposite of freedom? What are other words that mean the opposite of freedom? What are some concrete specific examples from the text? From history? Which characters from our textbook were not free?
You will follow the Toumlin model, and you may do so by looking at other templates from various assignments. You will have the following:
Paragraph 1- Introduction and claim/thesis
Paragraph 2- Insert question (What is freedom?) Define freedom. Use a dictionary definition and cite the source. Cite words that are similar to the word freedom. Offer two or three general examples of freedom. Cite 3 reasons of what freedom is along with explanations of each reason.
Paragraph 3- Offer what the opposite of freedom is. Use specific examples to show what freedom is not.
Paragraph 4- Refute the opposing definition of freedom. Offer more information of what freedom is. Perhaps offer symbols of freedom. Give specific examples. Use a quote. Explain the importance of the quote.
Paragraph 5- Conclusion
Tips:
This is a general template format. You may have more paragraphs.
Each paragraph should be well developed.
Use transitions to move into the paragraph.
Include a concluding sentence for each paragraph.
When you offer a quote, explain the importance of the quote.
Offer general and specific examples of freedom (and in the opposing paragraph, offer examples of what freedom is not.)
Criteria:
Your essay should be 3-5 pages, following the MLA format
Write in third person (he, she, it, they, people, humans, etc.)
Develop your ideas.
Address the prompt and focus on defining freedom.
Use literary vocabulary when using stories as examples.
Create a Works Cited page to document your selections from the text and 2 other academic sources. You should have 3-5 sources. Remember, do not use more than 20% quoted material.
Follow the guidelines for writing about literature.
