This month there is an essay assignment. As you might have noticed, the lesson only provided information on sexism as seen in the first four of the Harry Potter books. Your assignment is to write and essay on the new evidence provided in book five. This is a very open-ended assignment. Since this class includes students of different level of real-life education, everyone may not have the same amount of essay writing experience.

Younger students may want to look at several or all of the female characters in book 5. You may choose to analyze each and state whether they seem to fall into the stereotypes or cliches discussed in the lesson or if they present a positive example.

Older students may either do as said above to a greater extent or choose one or two characters. For example, you may choose to analyze a single character or compare/contrast two characters (ex: Just Luna Lovegood, or Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger.)

The really ambitious ones, instead of summarizing the views of women presented, might try and make and take a stance on whether you believe the Harry Potter books present a negative view on women.

WHAT I�LL BE LOOKING FOR:

PARAGRAPHS: Opening paragraph should include an introduction to what you�ll be talking about. For example, state whether you�ll be analyzing a certain character or several characters. (If you�re arguing a point, include it here.) There should be several body paragraphs. Three paragraphs of body is usually the magic number but there�s nothing wrong with more. A closing paragraph should end the essay and sum up what was written. Closing paragraphs are often similar to open paragraphs.

BODY PARAGRAPHS: This is the real meat of any essay. Here you will talk about the characters and how their actions and/or behavior reflect on women as a whole. You may choose to use quotes support what you believe. When quoting please let me know what page you are finding the quote. For example: �They were talking about the lesson, Harry thought, as though it had been some sort of spectacular show, but he hadn�t found it very entertaining � and nor, it seemed, had Hermione� (Goblet of Fire-H, 218). Those paragraphs at the end before the period give the book and page number on which the quote is found. The �H� refers to �hardcover� and one would us �P� for �paperback� depending on which type of book they have, this is because of the different page numbers given. Remember, when you provide a quote you must explain why you used it and what it means in reference to the topic of sexism.

LENGTH: I do not like giving length requirements. Some of you might be able to fulfill the requirements in a page, others may want five-pages to rattle off their opinions. Write as much as you can and I will be happy. More is always better and I will be looking for the best ones to be posted on the website.

HELP: If you need help, PLEASE email me. My finals end on Friday and I will be happy to provide a lending hand. This means, if you have a rough draft and want to turn it in early for me to review, I will email it back with suggestions. Early does not mean the day before! POINTS: As usual, each assignment is worth a maximum of 30 points. Those essays I post on the website will be awarded 5 bonus points which will be added to however many points they earn in the monthly discussion (not to exceed 30 points.)

DUE: The essay is due Jan. 7th which gives everyone a full month to write. I understand the holidays are busy so if you need an extension, please email me. Send assignments to [email protected] Remember that the essay goes