05 Dec Module D Essay: Heroes, Legends, & Villains You have learned about the development of early American values as the nation began to define itself.

Module D Essay: Heroes, Legends, & Villains

You have learned about the development of early American values as the nation began to define itself. Now you will examine how those values help define American culture. Write a 700-word minimum essay for one of the following prompts: 

Prompt 1: 

Choose any past or present American legend/urban legend. In your introduction, briefly describe the legend in your own words. Then analyze what value/fear caused the story or figure to obtain its legendary status. Consider what this legend reveals about the US or Americans (what we value, fear, idolize, etc.). 

Prompt 2:

Choose any past or present American heroic figure. In your introduction, briefly describe the hero in your own words. Then analyze what value/fear caused this figure to obtain his/her status as a hero. Consider what this hero reveals about the US or Americans (what we value, fear, idolize, etc.).

Prompt 3:

Choose any past or present American “villain”. In your introduction, briefly describe the hero in your own words. Then analyze what value/fear caused this figure to obtain his/her status as a legendary villain. Consider what this villain reveals about the US or Americans (what we value, fear, idolize, etc.).

Topic Ideas: 

· The vanishing hitchhiker (or Resurrection Mary)

· Alligators in the sewers

· Lizard man

· Paul Bunyan

· Brer Rabbit

· Davy Crockett

· Daniel Boone

· Rambo

· Casey Jones

· Peg Leg Joe

· Wyatt Earp

· King Kong

· Mike Fink

· Jesse James

· Kunta Kinte

· Aunt Jemima

· Johnny Appleseed

· John Henry

· Bonnie and Clyde

· Scarface

· Little Black Sambo

· George Washington and the cherry tree

· Sweet Betsey

· Yankee Doodle

· Vito Corleone

· “Unsinkable” Molly Brown

· Rocky 

Guidelines: 

· Consider outlining before you begin—this will help you to organize your thoughts before you start writing.

· Avoid getting caught up in summarizing the legend or figure. You’re not writing a summary or a book report. Your thesis should argue what value/fear caused the legend/figure to obtain legendary status. For example, you might say, “Name of figure/story obtained American legendary status because the legend/figure embodies the American ideal or fear of insert value or fear.

· Your essay should be well-organized with the following components: an intro with an argumentative thesis, a body of at least three well developed paragraphs, and a conclusion.

· Your MLA formatting and citation information do not count as part of the essay word count.

· Observe proper MLA formatting. Use Calibri 11 pt. or Times New Roman 12 pt. font, but NOT both. Be consistent.