Write an essay that identifies a theme of Fahrenheit 451 and establishes the relevance of that theme in twenty-first-century Western civilization. Your essay should be balanced between identifying a theme in the novel and tying that theme to the twenty-first century. Your essay should include the following structure:
Introduction
Your essay must begin with a clear hook that introduces the theme you have identified.
You may also need to define the terms relevant to your argument. Your introduction may, therefore, require two paragraphs.
The last sentence of the introduction must be a thesis statement that identifies a theme of Fahrenheit 451 and establishes the relevance of that theme in twenty-first century Western civilization.
Thesis statement template: In Fahrenheit 451, author Ray Bradbury warns of the dangers of ________, an issue that continues today.
Body
You must have at least five body paragraphs that develop your essay.
Each body paragraph must begin with a clear topic sentence that specifically states the topic and focus of the paragraph.
A good supporting paragraph must contain at least seven well developed sentences.
You must incorporate specific examples from the novel into your own writing to support your interpretation of theme. Your interpretation of theme must include both a subject and a claim. For example, censorship may be a subject of the novel, but you must consider what opinion the author is making about censorship to complete your identification of theme.
For supporting evidence linking theme to the twenty-first century, you should use recent articles and/or books of non-fiction.
As always, you should provide clear attributions and complete and accurate citations for all outside sources (including the novel) used in your essay. The majority of the sources you use should be incorporated into your writing in the form of summary and paraphrase. No more than 10 percent of your essay can include quotations.
Conclusion
Finally, end your essay with a concluding paragraph that echoes the hook and brings the essay to an effective close.
TURNING IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Submit your work in a two-pocket folder. Keep in mind that this folder will be the first impression that your essay makes on its reader. Your folder must include the following
A copy of the final draft of your essay (the one that I am going to grade) needs to be in the left pocket of the folder.
The other pocket must include copies of all of your source material.
o This material should be highlighted to indicate the sections used.
o Copy and highlight relevant sections of any books you use as sources, including the novel.
