People lie for a variety of reasons. Some people lie to be liked. Some people lie to manipulate others. Sometimes people lie to protect themselves or others. Sometimes people lie to make other people feel good. "Liar" by Isaac Asimov and "Prospectors" by Karen Russell examine the motivations for and consequences of self-deception.
In an essay of at least 850 words examine the motivations for and consequences of the lies or ways in which characters hide the truth from themselves and each other. What motivates their actions? How do the characters respond to the things they are told or the ways they are led by other characters in each story? Focus on one story in each body paragraph. The topic sentence for each paragraph should argue the significance that the situation has for the characters. An argument should be developed to explain that significance supported by significant and important details from the story. Cite significant details frequently from each story. The goal is to create a paragraph for each story that demonstrates the significance and meaning that the situation has for the characters in each story.
Requirements
- Length: Your essay must be a minimum of 850 words.
- Documentation Format: You must include an MLA formatted Works Cited page that includes correctly formatted internal citations for all source material used.
- Sources: You are restricted to the two stories by Asimov and Russell.
- Number of sources: You must make frequent references to specific details in each story (properly documented).
- Format: The essay must be in MSWord format (.doc or .docx)
- Warning: Do not read or refer to resources beyond those available in our course.
For this essay, students may use a dictionary to help with words with which they are not familiar but should not refer to the dictionary definitions in the essay. Students must use MLA style documentation. Internal citations should identify the author and page number for the stories. Students must also include an MLA Works Cited page.
Students should proofread carefully their final drafts for spelling, grammar, and punctuation as well as clarity, conciseness, and completeness. The final draft should be typed, double spaced, with one inch margins, in Times New Roman 12 pt. The essay should be a minimum of 850 words. The essay will be evaluated based on how well students develop their arguments with significant support from the stories (thesis, topic sentences, supporting details from the stories); clarity, cohesion, and conciseness; correct use of MLA format; and grammar and spelling.
Essay Map
Introduction
Lead
Briefly summarize some of the reasons people lie to others, including what might be considered harmless lies.
Thesis
The thesis statement (and topic sentences) should focus on the ways people choose lies rather than face the reality of their lives. "Liar!" by Isaac Asimov and "The Prospectors" by Karen Russell (examine, explore, reveal, . . . ) [something about how people choose lies rather than face reality]. Do not use this exact wording, but your thesis should reflect a similar idea.
Body
Topic Sentences
Create a topic sentence specific to each story. You may do the stories in any order; however, "The Prospectors" is a more complex story, so it is reasonable to begin the essay with Asimov's "Liar!"
- "Liar!" by Isaac Asimov (examines, explores, reveals, . . . ) [something about the people believing what they want to hear.] Do not use this exact wording, but your topic sentence should reflect a similar idea.
- "The Prospectors" by Karen Russell (examines, explores, reveals, . . . ) [something about how an encounter with ghosts results in the protagonists facing the truths they have been hiding from themselves and each other.] Do not use this exact wording, but your topic sentence should reflect a similar idea.
Supporting Details
- Use specific details from each story by incorporating brief quotations--key words or phrases--that reveal the relevant details from each story.
- Each sentence of the body paragraph should help explain the argument you have given in the topic sentence by indicating specific details from the story.
- For each story, show why the main characters are affected by the lies being told and truths being ignored.
- Only write about one story in a particular paragraph. Write all about one story and then all about the other. Do not go back and forth between the two stories.
Conclusion
What significant realization do these stories reveal about the lies people tell to others and themselves?
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