American Literature

post has two assignments

Survey of American Literature

Instructor: John C. Havard

Write an essay in response to one of the following questions. If you wish to devise your own topic, you may do so as long as your topic 1) analyzes at least one of the assigned readings and 2) relates the analysis to something in your personal life or modern-day America more generally. These two elements are reflected in all the suggested topics, and you will need to address them both to get a good grade. You may want to consult with me if you decide to develop your own topic.
1. In “Model of Christian Charity,” John Winthrop refers to the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a “city upon a hill.” Explain the meaning of this simile, and discuss its legacy in American culture, particularly its influence on at least one later text/speech. Discuss the relationship between Winthrop’s statement and American exceptionalism. Consider whether it’s positive, negative, or some combination of the two that many Americans think of the nation as a city upon a hill. Be sure to provide a reasoned argument and evidence for your position and to take the opposing point of view into account.
2. Choose one of the poets we’ve read: Anne Bradstreet, Edward Taylor, Phillis Wheatley, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, or Emily Dickinson. Highlight a theme the poet explores that is relevant to something you have experienced in your own life. Describe your life experience, how the poem explores such experiences, and what you learned from the poem. In discussing these issues, be sure to examine the poet’s style, how s/he uses figurative language to explore the topic, etc.
3. We have met a variety of types of individuals from a variety of walks of life while reading the material in this course. These include but are not limited to Native Americans, colonial explorers, Puritans, Founding Fathers, slaves, slaveholders, lawyers, and scriveners. Choose one of these types of people or any other that drew your interest while reading. Expand on what you learned about this walk of life by doing a little library research on the topic. Explain how the literary works that address them reflect on what life was like for this group. Back this element of your paper up with detailed analysis of the work. Then, reflect on what learning about this group helps us understand about our own society.
4. Compare and contrast Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Frederick Douglass’s Narrative as works of abolitionist literature. Which is the more powerful critique of slavery, and why? Be sure to take the opposing point of view into account. What could politicians or social leaders today learn from the methods used by the author you chose?

Format: Your paper should be five to six double-spaced pages (not including the works cited section), written in twelve-point Times New Roman or similar font, double-spaced, have one inch margins, and use MLA style for documentation, headings, and page numbering.

What I’m looking for you to do in this assignment, in order of importance:
• Write a substantive essay. Don’t just summarize. Be a critical reader; ask questions, analyze, interpret, judge. With what you learned in class as a basis, build a thoughtful argument that helps your reader understand something meaningful that is not obvious.
• Respond to the prompt with a focused argument. This is a five to six page paper about works of literature that you could write books about if you had time. Instead of saying a little about everything but nothing substantive about anything regarding your topic, focus on the prompt and choose some related passages from the literature that you can discuss in depth to make your point. Avoid digressions and don’t be too broad.
• Support your argument thoroughly. Much of your evidence will come from specific passages from the literature. Depending on your topic, you may also use biographical information about an author, historical context, etc. However, I repeat, you should devote most of your paper to analyzing the literature, rather than focusing on background issues such as biography. When analyzing evidence, state not only what you believe the evidence means, but why. The SIEL method will help you explain yourself thoroughly. I am looking for the ability to not only list important facts about works but also to explain how the works exhibit the characteristics you ascribe to them. Using the skills you developed while working through the response topics should help you achieve this goal.
• Your essay should be well written. Use the skills that you have learned in your composition classes. The paper should follow a clear paragraph structure; use effective paragraph transitions; use precise, unambiguous language; be written in standard, grammatical academic English; etc. Think of it this way: Just as you wouldn’t wear blue jeans and a t-shirt to an important interview, you shouldn’t turn in a formal paper that’s written in informal, unpolished language. Keep in mind that writing is a process and that you will need to devote sufficient time to this essay to produce work of quality. Start early, get feedback, and revise. No one is capable of producing their best work the night before the due date.
• Don’t forget to include a title. A title tells your reader key facts about your essay, such as what texts you’re writing about, what your specific topic is, etc. It should also be interesting.
Lastly, do not plagiarize. If you use outside sources, make sure you cite and quote them as necessary. See the syllabus and the Student Handbook for further information.

2:FINANCE

Worthington, Inc. is planning to issue $7,500,000 in 120-day maturity notes carrying a rate of 11 percent per year. Worthington’s commercial paper will be placed at a cost of $35,000. What is the effective cost of credit to Worthington?

Text: Foundations of Finance Author(s) Arthur J. Keown, John D. Martin, J. William Petty Publisher: Prentice Hall

American literature