Write a biographical research paper on an American icon who showed courage to call out wrongs and fought for making a difference and moving humanity forward. You must use specific evidence from primary and secondary sources. “America is an idea. America is the greatest idea that the world ever came up with.”
-Bono
America was founded on the brave ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Bono’s quote upholds the premise that went into the founding of our nation. It, however, doesn’t imply that our nation is perfect or that we shouldn’t keep striving to make it better. Over the years, the great American story has been defined and strengthened by those who took a stand for what they believed in and fought to pursue their beliefs. Those architects of change used their voices to shake the existing order and their relentless pursuit of their goals has made us a better nation. That’s our heritage and that’s part of what makes the idea of America so compelling.
Assignment
Write a biographical research paper on an American icon who showed courage to call out wrongs and fought for making a difference and moving humanity forward. You must use specific evidence from primary and secondary sources to guide and build your analysis, effectively incorporating at least four quotations in the paper.
Incorporating/blending quotations
All quotations must be introduced, discussed, and woven into the text. Don’t leave a quote by itself–you must introduce it, explain it, and show how it relates to your analysis. Quoting involves taking a word, phrase, or passage directly from a story, novel, poem, or article and working it grammatically into your discussion. Below is an example:
In his novel, The Secret Agent, Conrad describes Verloc as “undemonstrative and burly in a fat-pig style… “(69). The pig image suggests that Verloc is not a lean, zealous anarchist, but is a corrupt, complacent middle class man who is interested in preserving his comfortable status.
When should I quote?
To make a particularly important point
When a passage or point is particularly well written
To include an authoritative source
Requirements:
The paper should be about 8 to 10 pages long. You must follow MLA formatting guidelines(double-space, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1” margins, headers, in-text citations for quotes). Works Cited Page must be included at the end of the paper.
Introduction
Introduction must have the following
Hook (A catchy phrase is a good way to start an essay as it pulls the reader in as well as gives the reader a hint as to what the essay pertains to. A quotation may also be used as a hook.)
Background Information
This is generic information pertaining to the topic, in this case the topic being an American icon. Please feel free to use information from the Prompt for Paper 3 to write your background information.
Thesis statement with Mapping
Your thesis should clearly state the qualities that you think qualify the person in question to be an American Icon.
Example 1:
I think Abraham Lincoln is an enduring American icon because of his extraordinary journey from the log cabin to the White house, his brave struggle to abolish slavery and because of his ultimate sacrifice to preserve the American Union.
Example 2:
I believe Martin Luther King is a truly outstanding American icon because of his brave fight for the African-American community, his dream of an America with equal opportunities for all and because of his tireless quest for justice.
Body Paragraphs
In the body paragraphs take up the 3 reasons (topics) that you have mentioned in the thesis statement, one by one, for discussion.:
Discussion on each reason must begin with a topic sentence that clearly introduces the reason (topic).
Thereafter, the discussion on that reason must be supported by 2-3 supporting evidences.
Discussion on each reason must close with a transition sentence that leads to the next reason.
Follow the three guidelines above when discussing the three reasons that you have stated in your thesis statement and mapping. You may write as many paragraphs as needed when discussing each of the topics.
Rebuttal
In the rebuttal, mention the criticism that your icon has faced in his/her life and how the icon endured in the face of the criticism to accomplish his/her chosen goal. I encourage you to mention at least 3 main criticisms that the icon has faced in their lifetime and then elaborate in detail about how the icon endured in the face of all that criticism. You may write as many paragraphs as needed when presenting the rebuttal.
Conclusion
In the Conclusion:
Repeat thesis statement and mapping in different words to avoid repetition.
Float any additional ideas or thoughts about the icon in question.
Close with a reflection about the lasting inspiration provided by the icon in question.
