Formal Composition

Below are your final essay topics. Choose ONE of the essay topics as your final paper for this course. The content of your essay should reflect material from course readings and video lectures 6, 7, and 8.

This is a formal composition, so your written essay should include the following: an introductory statement and thesis (including a clear point-of-view); the content itself upon which your thesis rests (I anticipate this being 6 paragraphs long or more); a concluding and/or summary statement that furthers or expounds upon your findings or the points of your discussion.
Writing recommendations:
Consider this essay component of the exam an exercise in rhetoric and academic writing.

If possible, choose material that interests or moves you. Care.

Generally speaking, as a writer, use your medium to educate your reader. Content (facts and specifics) matters: reasonable content gives you credibility with your reader. Choose and use your words carefully, judiciously, and correctly: this earns your reader’s trust and respect. Flex your authorial “voice” or tone here or there, to inspire, delight, or enhance meaning: in other words, make your reader care.

Why not view this essay as a kind of performance? One way to do this is to imagine what you would like your readers to feel after they finish reading your essay. (In my own essay writing, I tell myself: “I hope to help educate my reader with good information and one or two insights, so that, afterwards, the reader thinks to himself/herself: ‘I’m so glad I read that!’”).

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.) What sources may I use for the essay portion of the exam?
You may use video lectures 6, 7, and 8, and approved textbooks found in the syllabus. Websites are not authorized to be used as references.

2.) What is the required word count for the essay portion of the exam?
There is no required word count. We suggest writing at least 6 paragraphs (including an introduction and a conclusion paragraph). A paragraph is usually 6-8 sentences long. Write to adequately cover your points.

3.) Is there a multiple choice portion to this exam?
Yes! As described in the syllabus, the multiple-choice portion will consist of objective questions (based on reading, lectures), questions on vocabulary, and slide identifications (title, artist; culture; stylistic movement; cultural significance). This exam is NOT cumulative!

4.) How do you suggest I prepare for this exam?
To prepare for Exam IV Final, watch the lectures and/or read the lecture closed captions. Also, utilize the study guide tool available to you on ecampus!! This is one of your best resources! a “monument/ terms” list for each stylistic period/culture serves as a study-guide to help you prepare for exams.

5.) I am still struggling with citing in Chicago! What tools can help?
Here is a list of links to some excellent (approved!) websites to help you cite. This list is also in an older email we sent out for Exams I, II, and III. The University Writing Center can also help you cite.
http://www.bibme.org/citation-guide/chicago/lecture/ (for lectures)

Chicago Citation Guide

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/chicago_manual_of_style_17th_edition.html

6.) Are there other resources to help me edit my paper?
Yes! For grammatical, structure, and citation concerns you can always visit the University Writing Center. They can help you review your paper: https://writingcenter.tamu.edu/

7.) I don’t have a book! Where can I get one?
If you do not wish to purchase a book, you can borrow one from the university library. You can search for a book’s location and availability here: http://library.tamu.edu/

8.) Do I have to use the lectures as references for my essay? How about the textbooks?
You MUST use the lectures as references for your essay! The textbooks are not mandatory tools, but may add depth and quality to your paper.
9.) How should my essay look like with proper citations? Please see below. Double spaced format and Times New Romans 12 font are expected.
Sample paper here: