To begin your assignment, you will need to respond to the prompt below.  You will have to provide an introduction with a thesis statement, 3 body paragraphs and a conclusion.  When you write your essay, you must not copy from the book or use any outside sources.  You must explain the ideas and examples in your own words.  You can use examples from the The Hunger Games, but you also need to use at least one example from Catching Fire from Chapters 1-18.

Writing Prompt:  In what ways is the Capitol government a totalitarian state? 

Step 1 – Annotate the text/Pre-write:  Reread the parts of the book that provide details about this and actively engage with the text to review the significance of these passages.  Then, brainstorm on the topic and see what ideas you come up with for your thesis and blueprint. 

Step 2 – Thesis:

State your answer to the essay prompt in an interesting and concise thesis.  Make sure that the thesis and blueprint are no more than 1 to 2 sentences.

Step 3 – Develop a Rough Outline:

Develop a rough outline that plans out your three points.  For each point, provide a topic sentence, as well as details and examples that will support each point.  Make sure that your paragraph is developed enough.  Write a minimum of 15 sentences per body paragraph.

Step 4 – Draft the Introduction:

Begin your introduction with a hook.  Make sure to also include the author and titles of the books (in italics—both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire) in your introduction.  Then provide some general background information about the story and the issue you are discussing.  Finally, state your thesis in the last sentence.

Step 5 – Draft Three Body Paragraphs:

1. Each point should be stated in a topic sentence at the beginning of each body paragraph.  Remember that the topic sentence needs to support your thesis. 
2. Each point needs to be developed with examples and details.  Do not use “I” or “you” in the essay.  Remember that you are not writing about yourself.  Also, do not copy from the book.
3. Please cite a quotation from the book in each body paragraph to support your discussion.  The quotation should be somewhere in the middle of each body paragraph and support your discussion.  Remember that you need to have a signal phrase before the quotation and a parenthetical citation after it.

Step 6 – Draft the Conclusion:

Sum up your main points and ideas.

Remember that you should follow the steps we discussed in class to develop your essay:

1. Pre-write
2. Thesis development
3. Outline
4. Rough Draft
5. Revise/Edit
6. Final Draft

Requirements:

1. Your essay should have an original title.
2. Your essay should be typed and double-spaced with one-inch margins on all sides.  Place the heading in the upper-left hand corner and your last name and the page number in the upper-right hand corner.  In addition, make sure to use 12 point New Times Roman font. 
3. The essay should be 5 paragraphs and at least 3 full pages.
4. Avoid using “you” and “I” in the essay. 
5. Draft Due:  Thurs., May 2nd at the beginning of class.  Bring 2 copies to class.  Final Draft Due:  Thurs., May 9th 
6. The final draft needs to be turned in to me in a folder with all prewriting, outlines, any handwritten/typed drafts and peer comments in order to receive full credit for the assignment.

You will be graded on:

• A title
• A clear introduction and thesis
• Coherence and Unity
• Organized paragraphs
• Developed paragraphs
• Writing in your own words
• Correct quotation use
• Few errors in grammar, mechanics and usage
• Complete work turned in on time