Response paper to a reading, 2-3 pages long

Response Paper

In a critical academic essay, which uses rhetorical analysis of evidence to support your argument, respond to one of the following prompts. Your essay should be typed and documented in MLA format (Times New Roman 12 pt. font, with a Works Cited page); it should be two-three pages in length.

(A) Thomas Paine, though born in England, suggests in "Common Sense" (1776) that "The Almighty hath implanted in us these unextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes." How does Paine proffer notions of Providence as an impetus towards American sovereignty? Would most readers suggest that we should also recognize that his ideas reflect comparable sentiments to those of present-day America?

(B) Benjamin Franklin's "Ephemera: An Emblem of Human Life" (1778) purports that "Our present race of ephemera will in a course of minutes become corrupt, like those of other and older bushes, and consequently as wretched." How and why does Franklin choose to craft such an allegory about the human condition? Essentially, what satirical play and overarching tropemust readers recognize to appreciate the story's brevity?

Here are some questions that will help you ensure that you've created an academic essay:

• Have you used any form of first- or second-person pronouns (I, my, myself, you, etc.)? If so, get them out of your writing.

• Did you limit your use of "to be" verbs?

• Is your voice active rather than passive? Does your argument support each claim you make?

• Is your paper free of grammatical errors, including but not limited to spelling, punctuation, run-on/fused sentences, comma splices, contractions, awkward syntax and phrasing, and misplaced modifiers?

• Are you sure to construct correctly your parenthetical citations?

• Do your citations and work(s) cited page follow MLA format?

• Have you created a clever and informative title?

• In your argument, do you offer a rebuttal or concession of possible opposing views?

• Did you make sure your paper is free of "dropped quotations"?

• Have you asked yourself "why?" your claims create an argument? Have you avoided illogical and unfounded claims?

• Does a dominant, inventive, overarching thesis, one which is arguable and informative, control your entire argument?

Ephemera is shorter to read so you might want to choose that one. I want the paper to be at a college level of reading.