American Icon Composition Assignment
100 points
i•con (ī′kon), n. 1. a picture, image,
or other representation…3. a sign or representation that stands for something
by virtue of a resemblance or analogy to it; symbol.
What do you think of when you
hear the word America? What things or people do you consider to be
definitively American? In this course
we will be studying some of the most important works of literature in America’s history, pieces that have helped define our
culture, our attitudes, and our way of life. There is no doubt writers hold an
important place in any culture’s history, but a country’s identity is obviously
comprised of more than just its literature. Without all the other things that
make this country America, writers would have nothing about which to write.
That is what you will focus on in this composition.
The first thing you need to
do is get in touch with your own notions of what is American. Maybe it’s apple pie…maybe it’s bluegrass music…maybe
it’s baseball. Many things will probably come to mind. However, you will focus
your paper on only one idea, person, or thing: what you believe to be the ultimate American icon.
Getting Down to Business
- Purpose
of the paper: to prove your
chosen icon is the best icon to represent America
- Where
you will get support for your thesis:
- You MUST read a book (at least 200 pages long)
devoted to your chosen icon, and this book must be approved by Suelly
- You MUST find at least two other reliable and
academic sources that will help you in your argument
- The American Memory collection of The Library of
Congress (http://memory.loc.gov/)
could be a great source to get ideas and find research
***Notice
that your paper should NOT focus on retelling the history of your icon. Rather,
it should discuss reasons WHY your icon inherently and appropriately represents
America***
- Paper
Requirements:
- 4-6 pages in length
- typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman
font
- Proper heading and header with page numbers
- A two part title
- At least two quotes from your book and one quote
each from your two additional sources, cited according to MLA
documentation
- Works Cited page formatted according to MLA
standards
- Feel free to include any pictures, photos,
diagrams, charts, etc. that might add to your paper (though this is not
mandatory)
- In addition to submitting a hard copy, please
email a second copy of your paper to me a ksuellentrop@vdoh.org
Due Date:
Thursday, September 23rd by 8:15 a.m. in the American Lit bin outside my office.
I should have the emailed copy by this time as well.
Go to “Assignments and References” at Suelly’s Corner (http://www.oocities.org/suelly_kel/suellyscorner.html)
for an online copy of this assignment and a link to the American Memory
collection of The Library of Congress.