Essay
Please read an essay MLA 8 edition format due one 10/2
Essay #3:Individuality, Conformity,
and Modernity in Anthem
For Essay #3 consider the concepts and ideas expressed in the
novella Anthem and use your critical thinking skills to support
or negate the thesis of the book. (You are not required to
research Rand’s philosophy of objectivism, but it is an option.)
Prompt Question:
Rand asserts in Anthem that true happiness comes from personal
freedom and the pursuit of one’s own interests. Do you agree or
disagree? Use examples from Anthem and research sources to
exemplify and support your viewpoint. If you agree, be sure to discuss
the limits of this viewpoint. If you disagree, be sure to provide a
specific counterargument and examples.
Minimum Requirements:
Twoin-class readings (Anthem plus your
choice of (1) McRaney -You Are Not So
Smart or (2) Duggan – “I Found a Flaw”)
1 optional additionalin-class or out-of-class
reading/ research source
Thesis-driven essay format
AXES method of paragraph development
MLA style
MinimumPage Length: 5 fullpages
Quotes: 6 quotes or paraphrases
Due Dates:
Brainstorm due Thursday, Oct. 1
Outline due Thursday, Oct. 1
Rough draft due Friday, Oct. 2
Peer review due Monday, Oct. 5
FINAL DRAFT DUE Tuesday, Oct. 6
English 1B – Brownell
Value: 15% of Overall Course Grade
Tips:
You may use any chapter from You Are Not So Smart (as long as you
are discussing the concept accurately).
Lisa Duggan’s chapter “I Found a Flaw” is available in the
“Readings/ PDFs” folder; I also discuss and explain quotes from
this reading in the video lecture on Anthem.
Your essay response must be specific; vague essays will receive
low scores. Therefore, it is essential to fully understand what
Rand is arguing in the novella and HOW she makes the argument.
Some additional research sources are listed at the end of the
Anthem video lecture.
Some Writing Strategies:
Consider in concrete terms what constitutes happiness for YOU.
Is it family? Is it community? Is it academic or work success? Is it
self-realization? Then, use some of these examples to brainstorm
and put in conversation with Rand’s argument in the novella.
(Compare/Contrast)
Consider comparing another reading assignment to this novella.
For example, how does Willy conceive of happiness? Is it similar
or different from Prometheus’s conception of happiness?
Evaluate which conception is better.
Compare Lisa Duggan’s argument about happiness, freedom, and
self-realization to Ayn Rand’s argument in Anthem. Use
comparing and contrasting to organize the argument. Assert
whose argument is best.
Take a deep dive into Ayn Rand’s life! You can write about why
she believed in objectivism and why objectivism is central to her
writing. But be careful not to stray too far from the assigned
reading (Anthem).
Still stuck? Schedule a conference with me, and I will try to guide
you through your writing process! Duggan, Lisa. Mean Girl: Ayn Rand and the Culture of Greed.
Oakland, University of California Press, 2019. 3 Rough Draft Rubric
E#3 Rough Draft Rubric
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePrompt
Does the draft address the prompt? Is the rough draft about Anthem’s thesis (main argument)? Has the author stated whether s/he agrees or disagrees with Anthem’s argument?
5.0pts
Yes it’s on prompt!
3.0pts
Sort of…
Draft addresses the prompt, but sometimes goes off on tangents.
0.0pts
Off prompt!
Author needs to go back and examine the prompt carefully.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization
Draft is organized in a classic essay format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
5.0pts
Yes, it’s organized!
The essay is centered on the prompt and has an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
3.0pts
Sort of…
Some aspects of the essay are organized, but not all. Essay is missing a component or is incomplete.
0.0pts
Disorganized
The draft is disorganized, causing difficulty in understanding the argument.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis-driven
Essay’s thesis presents an argument, meaning some people will disagree with the argument. Essay is unified around the thesis.
5.0pts
Yes, it’s thesis-driven!
The thesis permeates the essay’s argument.
3.0pts
Sort of…
Essay may sometimes drift away from the thesis, or the essay has competing thesis statements.
0.0pts
No thesis
No recognizable thesis statement.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuotation Skills
Quotes and evidence are used effectively. Quotes are framed and well-integrated.
5.0pts
Quotes are great!
Author frames each quote; quotes have quotation marks; quotes are explained; quotes have in-text citations.
3.0pts
Sort of…
Quotation marks are used but the quotes are incomplete in some way such as not using signal phrases (“he writes”) or providing explanations.
0.0pts
Dropped quotes
Quotes are dropped or missing entirely.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritical Thinking
Draft showcases ability to use evidence thoughtfully, makes an argument, uses inference skills, and strong reasoning.
5.0pts
On Fire!
The argument is thoughtful; draft shows originality; rationale and reasoning is used thoroughly.
3.0pts
Sort of…
Essay is interesting and the author explains his/her argument, but it may be inconsistent. Parts of the essay may be summary rather than analysis.
0.0pts
Too much summary!
Draft consists largely of summary, not forewarding a fresh or interesting argument.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMLA
Page setup is in MLA style, header, page-numbering, double-spacing, in-text citation, and Works Cited page.
5.0pts
Advanced skills
MLA is excellent with attention to detail!
3.0pts
Sort of…
Some aspects of MLA are correct, but other aspects are incorrect.
0.0pts
Beginner skills
Author needs to brush up on MLA by looking at a style guide.
5.0pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch
Appropriate college-level research sources have been included in the essay in the form of quotes or paraphrase.
5.0pts
Yes, they used research!
The author has quoted or paraphrased from two college-level research sources and cited them.
3.0pts
Sort of. . .
There is evidence of research being used, but it is not clearly indicated with a signal phrase or in-text citation.
0.0pts
Forgot to use research
The author forgot to include research. There is no evidence of research being used in the draft.
5.0pts
Total Points:35.0
