"The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones" is a non-fiction essay by Jon Ronson we have read in class. Your assignment is to use quotations from it in an essay and to use the MLA style. Here is the assignment that is copied from Google Classroom:
Using evidence from the non-fiction essay, "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones" by Jon Ronson, argue that Phoenix Jones either is or is not a real life superhero.
Use the PEAS formula for your body paragraphs. Remember that we just learned the PEAS and used it in the previous essay. Now we are trying to use the PEAS model in this essay and for the rest of the year. All of the essays that we write on literature need to be literary criticism and need to be practice for the Regents. If you want to think about what your essay should look like, you can always go to the Regents essay packet and read the best essays there to understand what the models are. (If you are able to use quotations from secondary material like the Chronological Dictionary of Quotations, please do that. Just make sure that your secondary material supports your argument. All of your analysis and discussion needs to relate to the primary work by Jon Ronson.)
Helpful hints
(Is he a REAL hero? A confused young man? A person who sacrifices his own personal safety, family, and future for an unreal dream? Does he put others at risk? Does he solve crimes? Stop crimes from happening? Can he have flaws and still be a superhero? How does the author portray him. Think PEAS!! Look at your essay and make sure you have solid and well-developed paragraphs!)
Here are some helpful hints, samples, and links for your essay.
CONTENT
Content of your outline
The outline is not mandatory, but it is greatly encouraged as a thinking tool and a reasoning tool. It will help you sequence your ideas, to put them in a hierarchical order, to find and organize evidence, and to quickly understand the overall structure of your essay. It was created thousands of years ago to improve speaking and writing, and it can help you too. Some outlines are very brief and list only the essential elements. If you are able to do this well, then that is fine. Some outlines that students make are almost the entire essay written out. While this is not necessary, it might allow your to see how all of the parts of your essay fit together. This is good for use as a learning tool, but it is not necessarily helpful for longer writing assignments.
Content of your essay
Write an introduction, at least two PEAS body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Use the PEAS formula for the body paragraphs to create writing that has a clear claim; evidence (direct quotation); analysis (mention a literary term and how it is used; mention the effect on the reader; discuss significance and how the author succeeds in using these ideas to convey his message and to address the overall theme of the piece.
See this simple sample that was created for the Beowulf essay if you need to try to remember the structure. Creating a better paragraph with greater development of the argument and better analysis will improve your grade. Look at some samples that have already been photocopied and handed out if you want to see more developed writing.
(POINT/CLAIM)
Grendel has a very damaging effect on “Hrothgar, the Danish king of the Scyldings, in his hall, Heorot” (Freeborn 57).
(EVIDENCE)
Grendel is one of the “evil broods” and “seized / thirty thanes” in the attack on the first night and “within one night” he came to “murder more” (Beowulf 60).
(ANALYSIS uses literary term and effect on audience)
The author, who is anonymous, uses strong language that very clearly states that this is an evil creature that does harm to men and threatens the power of this civilization with his overwhelming destruction. The modern translation uses alliteration of the "t" in "thirty thanes" and the “m” in “murder more” to emphasize the point (Beowulf 60).
The idea is easily understood and has the effect of terrifying the audience by showing that Grendel is capable of great destruction and death of the thanes. Perhaps some would argue that they would not have fear of either evil or a beast, but few if any readers would likely volunteer to spend a night in the mead hall after Grendel first arrives. Similarly, no one would want to
(SIGNIFICANCE)
With great clarity, strong language, and use of figurative language, the author succeeds in showing the lethal threat and the power of Grendel against Hrothgar and the Scyldings. This shows that a beast like Grendel can have a serious negative effect on the Scyldings and their civilization.
How to creating better content by using logical structures
Establishing Arguments from OWL / Purdue University
FORMATTING
Formatting the first page of your essay
In order to create a proper first page for your essay, please follow the MLA guidelines.
See this link to a sample MLA paper. Look at the first page. Your first page should look like that too.
Look at CHSN Research Guide to see the complete research process and examples.
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)
CHSN Research Guide 2014, Beta Version 6 (PDF)
Formatting your outline
If you decide to include a typed outline, you have two choices:
-Make that a separate document. You do not have to put MLA headings on it. Write your name on the first page.
-Go ahead and include the outline at the beginning and add the heading to the beginning of it.
(The old sixth edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers added a title page and an outline. We will not be using the old edition.)
There are many acceptable styles of outlines.
Here are a few links to alphanumeric outlines that are recommended by the MLA:
See:
http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/library/mla/outlines.shtml
See page 2 of this document
http://dianahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-levi-mla.pdf
Formatting your Works Consulted page
Works Consulted Page
To create a Works Consulted page, you will need to list the material that you look at and review but do not put in your essay. Also include any people that you have talked to about your essay. If you have additional resources use EasyBib or KnightCite to help create an MLA formatted citation. Your last name and the page number should be 1/2 inch from the top of the page. It is known as a "header" so you may have to create a header in your document to add it. Everything below that is only double spaced. All margins on left, right, and bottom are 1 inch.
Smith 3
Works Consulted
Beowulf. From Standard English to Old English. Dennis Freeborn. 2nd ed. New York:
Palgrave, 1998. 57-60. Print.
Einstein, Jane. Personal interview. 10 Jan. 2014.
Smith, John. “PEAS Paragraph #1.” 2014. MS.
Formatting your Works Cited page
To create a Works Cited page, you will need to list the materials that you cite in your essay. If you have additional resources use EasyBib or KnightCite to help create an MLA formatted citation.
Because you will be using a quotation from "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones" by Jon Ronson, you will have to put a citation of his work on your Works Cited Page. If you use a quote from an additional source, then add that source, too.
If you use the Times New Roman font in 12 pt size, your citation should look like this. Notice the order of the items and the italics for the title of the book from which it comes. Your last name and the page number should be 1/2 inch from the top of the page. It is known as a "header" so you may have to create a header in your document to add it. Everything below that is only double spaced. All margins on left, right, and bottom are 1 inch.
Smith 4
Works Cited
Cicero. De Legibus III. Chronological Dictionary of Quotations. Ed. Edmund Wright. London:
Bloomsbury, 1993. 33. Print.
Ronson, Jon. "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones." The Best American Nonrequired Reading
2012. Ed. Dave Eggers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. 234-263. Print.
See page 10 at this link to a sample OWL / MLA paper. It has a number of variations for multiple titles by the same author, etc.
This sample also has notes on it that might be helpful to you.
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
See page 13 at this link to a sample MLA paper. It has a number of variations for multiple titles by the same author, etc.
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)
SEE WRITING TEMPLATES
PEAS paragraph graphic organizer 1 MSWORD
PEAS paragraph graphic organizer 1 PDF
Literary Analysis Writing Templates 1
SEE STUDENT SAMPLE PAPERS
Student sample rough draft essay on Beowulf
Student Sample Essay 1
Student Google Docs Template for Work Consulted and Works Cited
Student Google Docs Template for Outline
SEE EXAMPLE RUBRICS
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS WRITING RUBRICS Grades 9 - 10
Argument Rubric 1
NYS Regents Rubric
PEAS Paragraph Grading Rubric version 1
Works Consulted and Works Cited Rubric 1
RESOURCES
Look at CHSN Research Guide to see the complete research process and examples.
CHSN Research Guide 2014, Beta Version 6 (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)
CONTENT
Content of your outline
The outline is not mandatory, but it is greatly encouraged as a thinking tool and a reasoning tool. It will help you sequence your ideas, to put them in a hierarchical order, to find and organize evidence, and to quickly understand the overall structure of your essay. It was created thousands of years ago to improve speaking and writing, and it can help you too. Some outlines are very brief and list only the essential elements. If you are able to do this well, then that is fine. Some outlines that students make are almost the entire essay written out. While this is not necessary, it might allow your to see how all of the parts of your essay fit together. This is good for use as a learning tool, but it is not necessarily helpful for longer writing assignments.
Content of your essay
Write an introduction, at least two PEAS body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Use the PEAS formula for the body paragraphs to create writing that has a clear claim; evidence (direct quotation); analysis (mention a literary term and how it is used; mention the effect on the reader; discuss significance and how the author succeeds in using these ideas to convey his message and to address the overall theme of the piece.
See this simple sample that was created for the Beowulf essay if you need to try to remember the structure. Creating a better paragraph with greater development of the argument and better analysis will improve your grade. Look at some samples that have already been photocopied and handed out if you want to see more developed writing.
(POINT/CLAIM)
Grendel has a very damaging effect on “Hrothgar, the Danish king of the Scyldings, in his hall, Heorot” (Freeborn 57).
(EVIDENCE)
Grendel is one of the “evil broods” and “seized / thirty thanes” in the attack on the first night and “within one night” he came to “murder more” (Beowulf 60).
(ANALYSIS uses literary term and effect on audience)
The author, who is anonymous, uses strong language that very clearly states that this is an evil creature that does harm to men and threatens the power of this civilization with his overwhelming destruction. The modern translation uses alliteration of the "t" in "thirty thanes" and the “m” in “murder more” to emphasize the point (Beowulf 60).
The idea is easily understood and has the effect of terrifying the audience by showing that Grendel is capable of great destruction and death of the thanes. Perhaps some would argue that they would not have fear of either evil or a beast, but few if any readers would likely volunteer to spend a night in the mead hall after Grendel first arrives. Similarly, no one would want to
(SIGNIFICANCE)
With great clarity, strong language, and use of figurative language, the author succeeds in showing the lethal threat and the power of Grendel against Hrothgar and the Scyldings. This shows that a beast like Grendel can have a serious negative effect on the Scyldings and their civilization.
How to creating better content by using logical structures
Establishing Arguments from OWL / Purdue University
FORMATTING
Formatting the first page of your essay
In order to create a proper first page for your essay, please follow the MLA guidelines.
See this link to a sample MLA paper. Look at the first page. Your first page should look like that too.
Look at CHSN Research Guide to see the complete research process and examples.
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)
CHSN Research Guide 2014, Beta Version 6 (PDF)
Formatting your outline
If you decide to include a typed outline, you have two choices:
-Make that a separate document. You do not have to put MLA headings on it. Write your name on the first page.
-Go ahead and include the outline at the beginning and add the heading to the beginning of it.
(The old sixth edition of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers added a title page and an outline. We will not be using the old edition.)
There are many acceptable styles of outlines.
Here are a few links to alphanumeric outlines that are recommended by the MLA:
See:
http://www.ccc.commnet.edu/library/mla/outlines.shtml
See page 2 of this document
http://dianahacker.com/pdfs/hacker-levi-mla.pdf
Formatting your Works Consulted page
Works Consulted Page
To create a Works Consulted page, you will need to list the material that you look at and review but do not put in your essay. Also include any people that you have talked to about your essay. If you have additional resources use EasyBib or KnightCite to help create an MLA formatted citation. Your last name and the page number should be 1/2 inch from the top of the page. It is known as a "header" so you may have to create a header in your document to add it. Everything below that is only double spaced. All margins on left, right, and bottom are 1 inch.
Smith 3
Works Consulted
Beowulf. From Standard English to Old English. Dennis Freeborn. 2nd ed. New York:
Palgrave, 1998. 57-60. Print.
Einstein, Jane. Personal interview. 10 Jan. 2014.
Smith, John. “PEAS Paragraph #1.” 2014. MS.
Formatting your Works Cited page
To create a Works Cited page, you will need to list the materials that you cite in your essay. If you have additional resources use EasyBib or KnightCite to help create an MLA formatted citation.
Because you will be using a quotation from "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones" by Jon Ronson, you will have to put a citation of his work on your Works Cited Page. If you use a quote from an additional source, then add that source, too.
If you use the Times New Roman font in 12 pt size, your citation should look like this. Notice the order of the items and the italics for the title of the book from which it comes. Your last name and the page number should be 1/2 inch from the top of the page. It is known as a "header" so you may have to create a header in your document to add it. Everything below that is only double spaced. All margins on left, right, and bottom are 1 inch.
Smith 4
Works Cited
Cicero. De Legibus III. Chronological Dictionary of Quotations. Ed. Edmund Wright. London:
Bloomsbury, 1993. 33. Print.
Ronson, Jon. "The Amazing Adventures of Phoenix Jones." The Best American Nonrequired Reading
2012. Ed. Dave Eggers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. 234-263. Print.
See page 10 at this link to a sample OWL / MLA paper. It has a number of variations for multiple titles by the same author, etc.
This sample also has notes on it that might be helpful to you.
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
See page 13 at this link to a sample MLA paper. It has a number of variations for multiple titles by the same author, etc.
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)
SEE WRITING TEMPLATES
PEAS paragraph graphic organizer 1 MSWORD
PEAS paragraph graphic organizer 1 PDF
Literary Analysis Writing Templates 1
SEE STUDENT SAMPLE PAPERS
Student sample rough draft essay on Beowulf
Student Sample Essay 1
Student Google Docs Template for Work Consulted and Works Cited
Student Google Docs Template for Outline
SEE EXAMPLE RUBRICS
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS WRITING RUBRICS Grades 9 - 10
Argument Rubric 1
NYS Regents Rubric
PEAS Paragraph Grading Rubric version 1
Works Consulted and Works Cited Rubric 1
RESOURCES
Look at CHSN Research Guide to see the complete research process and examples.
CHSN Research Guide 2014, Beta Version 6 (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from OWL Purdue University (PDF)
MLA Sample Research Paper from MLA (PDF)