Getting Ready to Write In your notes or on separate piece of paper answer the following questions: 1.What personal experiences have you had that inform your stance on the topic? List or write in paragraph format. 2.What observations/ insights from outside readings or other sources can you add to the evidence you generated from the reading selections in this module? Jot down your ideas in your notes.

Essay Format There are many ways to organize an essay; however, there will always be a beginning, middle, and end. 1.Beginning: 1 to 2 paragraphs that set-up the essay’s central question and claim, including your thesis. Provides a brief background on the text you are responding to. 2.Middle: 3 or more paragraphs that provides and evidence to support the claim you make. Evidence includes quotes from the Jobs speech, other texts, personal texts, and examples from your own life. 3.End: Where you restate the thesis, reach a conclusion about the question asked, and finalize it with why your claim is the most reasonable.

Your essay must meet the following criteria:  MLA formatted  3-5 pages in length  Double-spaced  Have a Works Cited page with all your sources listed  Follow MLA citation guidelines