This is our first full essay assignment. Your task is to tell a story about yourself based upon some idea or experience drawn from the readings of chapters 13, 16 and 27. We've chosen these chapters as spring boards for this assignment because we are anticipating that at least one of them will resonate with each of you. One element of the essays' introduction is to provide a passage from the reading to use as a spring board. This is going to be our formal introduction to proper citation and integration of sources as well, so be on the watch for something to quote or paraphrase that can kick off your essay.

Assignment Goal

The goal of this assignment is to tell a story that shows the reader how your experience with sport, either first-hand, perhaps as an observer/fan or parent, has shaped you, your view of the world, your view of humanity (or an individual) or your view of sport in general or a particular sport. Where you go in that direction is up to you. The intent is to take the abstraction that is "sport" and to make it concrete by sharing a particular experience, whether it was good or bad, whether it reflects well or poorly on you. If you find yourself thinking about a particular experience that relates only peripherally to sport, talk it over with Josh or Brad and we'll see how you can make it work for the assignment.

A rough process for the assignment

1. Read and provide a major detail outline for each of the three chapters.
2. During the class discussion for each of the chapters, and while reading, take notes that will help you tie the readings to your experiences. While the subject of the assignment is an (hopefully) important experience you've had with sport, the topic itself will arise from the manner in which you establish a connection between yourself and the readings.
3. Once a topic has been decided upon, determine what sort of a point you'll want to make with the essay. We'll work through this in class.
4. Make use of the various heuristics (I'll explain this in class) to come up with material for your essay, both in terms of making your point and in terms of keeping your reader engaged.
5. Begin drafting the essay.
6. get some feedback, revise, get more feedback, revise some more, ad nauseum.