Anthem Essay Assignment & Basic Outline

Anthem Essay Assignment

Prewriting: 1 daily grade.
Revised and Edited (by YOU) Rough Draft: 1 quiz grade
Final Draft: 1 major grade

• Select one of the five essay topics below. You will receive an extra 7 points for writing about option A, B, or C.
• Essays must be at least 5 paragraphs and typed in MLA format.
• This is a process piece. You must have evidence of prewriting, revision, and editing.
• Rough drafts are due November 25/26 (3rd/2nd & 6th). If you do not turn in a rough draft on your due date, you will not have the opportunity for Mrs. Woodliff to tell you what needs to be done to make your essay better.
• Prewriting and all revised and edited rough drafts will be turned in with your hardcopy on the final draft’s due date.
• Point of View:
  o All essays should be written using third-person point of view.
  o You will lose 10 points off your final grade for any use of second-person point of view.
  o I will allow first-person point of view only in the conclusion. You will lose 7 points for use of first-person elsewhere.
• All essays will be electronically submitted to turnitin.com. A hardcopy will be due at the beginning of class on December 3 (3rd period)/December 4 (2nd and 6th periods). If your paper is not ready to turn in when the bell rings, it will be considered late. If you are tardy, your paper will be considered late.
• No where in your essay should you write “this essay will be about” “in the following paragraphs I will explain” “as stated in the thesis statement” or anything related to these statements. Do NOT refer to the essay or assignment.

Choose one of the following topics.
A. Equality 7-2521 states that it is very unusual for men to reach the age of 45 (Chapter 1). Consistent with the story and its meaning, offer several possible explanations as to why life expectancy is so short in his society.
B. Anthem is a heroic and inspiring story about the triumph of the individual’s independent spirit. Even though, at the end of the novel, Equality is greatly outnumbered, and modern society lies in ruins, it is a story of liberation and hope—not despair. Discuss.
C. In a single, unified essay, explain the meaning of each of the following quotes in the story and their wider significance:
1. “The glass box in our arms is like a living heart that gives us strength. We have lied to ourselves. We have not built this box for the good of our brothers” (Chapter 7).
2. “I wished to know the meaning of things. I am the meaning” (Chapter 11).
3. “I owe nothing to my brothers, nor do I gather debts from them” (Chapter 11).
D. Write a character analysis essay in which you analyze Equality 7-2521 and/or Liberty 5-3000.
E. To fully control a man, dictators must not only enslave his body, but also destroy his mind. Write an essay in which you explain how the leaders in Anthem seek to accomplish this tyrannical end.
F. Anthem’s theme is, in Ayn Rand’s own words, “the meaning of man’s ego.” Write an essay in which you explain the ways in which the characters and plot in Anthem illustrate this theme.


Basic Essay Outline:
I. Introduction (4-6 sentences)
A. Hook. 1 sentences that gets the reader’s attention.
B. Summary of book in 2-4 sentences
C. Thesis statement. 1 sentences that states the main idea of the essay.
II. Body Paragraph (5-10 sentences)
A. Topic Sentence
B. 4 to 5 sentences supporting your topic sentence with details from the book.
III. Body Paragraph (5-10 sentences)
A. Topic Sentence
B. 4 to 5 sentences supporting your topic sentence with details from the book.
IV. Body Paragraph (5-10 sentences)
A. Topic Sentence
B. 4 to 5 sentences supporting your topic sentence with details from the book.
V. Conclusion (4-6 sentences)
A. Restated thesis statement
B. Closing thoughts
C. Insightful thought