ENG 111 Unit 3 Profile Essay and Body Paragraphs

How is the Profile Essay different from the Literacy Narrative?

It moves from first person reflection to third person objective, academic writing. You look outside yourself.

What can you profile?

One of four: a person, a place, an event, or an object.

What is the purpose of a profile essay?

To inform and engage the reader by highlighting something unique or special about the subject.

What must a profile connect to?

A larger argument or theme. The subject is the foundation, not the whole point.

Example of a profile tied to a larger theme?

Babb's HBCUs and the Challenges of Golfing While Black uses golf to discuss racism and institutional barriers.

What is the rule on direct access to the topic?

You must have direct, recent access to your subject.

Rules for profiling a person?

No celebrities unless you have direct contact. Usually someone in your life: family, teacher or community member.

Rules for profiling a place?

You must have visited within the last year and be able to reasonably travel there again.

Rules for profiling an event?

It must be an event you actually attended.

Rules for profiling an object?

The hardest option but valid. Past examples include a diary, a favorite mug, and a childhood stuffed animal.

What are the two assigned readings?

HBCUs and the Challenges of Golfing While Black by Kenneth Babb, and When Bill Met Shelley, No Disabilities Could Keep Them Apart by Ellen McCarthy.

Three parts of the discussion questions?

Overview (subject and challenges, with evidence), writing craft and structure (show do not tell, opening and closing, details, setting, chronology, with evidence), and reflection on what makes a strong profile (no evidence needed).

Correct order of a body paragraph?

Topic sentence, then evidence, then analysis, then concluding sentence.

How should a topic sentence read?

Concise, brief and yet thorough, not overly detailed.

Where does evidence go?

Directly after the topic sentence.

What was the Unscramble the Body Paragraphs activity?

Groups physically reordered cut-up sentences into a logical paragraph. Several orders can work, but some are clearly illogical.

Brainstorm prompts for a profile topic?

Why it interests you, whether you know it personally or it is public, what makes it unique, background and context, family or cultural or community influences, and where it originated.

What did Omer pick for the profile essay idea?

Check your Notion notes and Canvas: the topic should be a person, place, event or object you have direct recent access to.