Essay Assignment – Topic: What challenges do immigrants face when they come to this country?
You have read many articles, stories, and essays, and watched two videos dealing with the challenges and rewards
that immigrants face when they leave their homelands to live in the United States.
For this essay, you are to discuss two challenges that immigrants must deal with as they adapt to life in their new
country.
Be sure to use evidence from the texts, as well as your own knowledge, to support and develop your thinking.
Here’s what we read that you can refer to:
From the beginning of the year:
• Amelia’s Road by Linda Jacobs Altman
• “Always Moving” by Julisa Velarde
• Children in the Fields – YouTube video
• "Young Migrant Workers Toil in U.S. Fields” by Karen Fanning
From the end of the year:
• "The Unforgettable Journey" by Maijue Xiong - Lit Book, page 271 – 275
• "Immigrants All" by Eve Bunting
• "The Typical American"
• "Names, Nombres” by Julia Alvarez - Lit Book - page 261 - 265
• "Barrio Boy" by Ernesto Galarza - Lit Book, p. 323 - 328
• Close Reading: “Undocumented Students and College”
• In the Mix: Teen Immigrants – PBS Video
• "A Rice Sandwich" by Sandra Cisneros - Lit Book, p. 140 - 144
• “Exile Eyes” by Agate Neusule - Lit Book - p. 278 - 280
• “China’s Little Ambassador” by Bette Bao Lord
Remember, a strong and effective piece of writing:
 Has a clear introduction that includes a grabber or lead and some background information about the topic,
as well as a clearly written thesis statement. Here’s an example of a thesis sentence that you could use or
modify:
Two specific challenges that immigrants face when coming to this country are ___A___ and
___B___.
 Uses specific evidence from the text(s) to support and develop the position and explains that evidence
clearly, thoroughly, and logically
 Concludes effectively with a summary statement and a closer to make the essay sound finished
 Uses precise language
 Shows control over grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure
SUGGESTED STEPS:
 Think about the topic. What challenges do you want to discuss? Make sure you have two and that
you can support each one by providing relevant and convincing evidence.
 Make two topic webs – one for each challenge / body paragraph.
 Use your topic webs to write a sentence outline like the one shown below.
 Write your essay using your outline to guide you. Remember, your outline is a plan – it is not set in
stone. A good writer will constantly be reassessing the plan and revising it to make it better.
 Use the writing guidelines: blue or black ink, skip lines, one side only, 1” left and right margins.
 Proofread your draft and fix mistakes.
 Turn in draft, 2 topic webs, and sentence outline.
SAMPLE OUTLINE:
I. Introduction
A.
Grabber / Opener – How are you going to start your essay to capture the reader’s
attention and introduce the topic?
B.
Background Information – What additional information does the reader need to
understand the topic?
C.
Thesis Statement – Single sentence that clearly states your position.
II. Body Paragraph #1 (First challenge) - Topic Sentence.
A.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
B.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
C.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
III. Body Paragraph #2 (Second challenge) - Topic Sentence.
A.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
B.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
C.
Supporting details – (examples and/or quotes from the texts, logical reasons, facts, statistics,
interview quotations, expert opinions, and relevant anecdotes)
1.
Commentary and elaboration
2.
Commentary and elaboration
IV. Conclusion
A.
Summary Statement
B.
Closing thoughts