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.