The Alchemist Opinion Essay – June 10th, 2020 by 11:59 PM
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to persuade your audience to agree with your position on a controversial subject.
Audience: Your audience is any adolescent or adult who has read the book. You may assume your audience knows the book’s plot and characters, though a brief, focused review of any specific events you will be discussing is required to give your essay context. Always keep in mind that although your audience is anybody who can read The Alchemist, the evaluator is your English teacher, so your level of diction, depth, and sentence-style should meet academic standards. Except where you attempt to use ethos or pathos, do not use second-person pronouns; avoid overuse of first-person pronouns.
Focus: Choose One
- Did Santiago make the right choice in following his dream?
- Santiago falls in love with Fatima when he sees her. Does love at first sight exist?
- Is Santiago brave?
- In the novel, many of the characters follow “omens.” Should people in real life follow omens?
Organization: Your essay will be organized in a traditional five-paragraph persuasive form. You will have an introduction that gives the essay context and ends with a two-part thesis, three support paragraphs (major supports) that have at least two minor supports each are connected by effective transitions and are ordered from weakest to strongest, and a conclusion that restates your thesis and gives the essay relevance.
Support: Support for your position comes from your personal experience and from quotations you take from the book. No outside research is required. Whenever possible, use a relevant quotation from the book to serve as evidence that that paragraph’s topic is justified or as an illustrative example to make your point.
Format: As always, your paper should be formatted in proper MLA style. Proper in-text citations for your quotations and a Works Cited page for the book and any outside research you use are required.
BRAINSTORM – Type your ideas here.
OPINION ESSAY OUTLINE
Introduction Paragraph
| Hook (1 sentence) | An omen is a sign that helps one determine good from bad, often in an intuitive manner. |
| Introduction to the topic – Background Information (3 sentences) | The Alchemist creatively uses omens to illustrate the inextricable connection that exists in the universe. In discovering their destiny, characters interpret different omens, all of which are helpful in the pursuit of their dreams. The concept of the Language and Soul of the World is revealed to Santiago, which helps him to learn about his destiny and the power within. |
| Thesis Statement (1 sentence) | Omens exist in real life, and if we are careful enough to observe and follow them, they will be instrumental in leading us to the fulfillment of our pursuits because they are specific to each person.
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Body Paragraph #1
| Topic Sentence | Instinct is inherent in every human being, and more often than not, when we rely on our instincts, we are less susceptible to disappointments. |
| Point 1 | Omens present themselves as little signs and intuitions that guide us in making hard choices or getting into a particular course of action. Santiago, in his first encounter with the King, was not sure whether or not he should heed the King’s advice and pursue his own legend. |
| Quote 1 | “Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared and fluttered between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen (Coelho).” |
| Explanation 1 | Santiago relied on an omen to follow the older man’s advice. He does not regret this decision later on as he gains so much. Omens lead us to make better decisions hence achieving success. The butterfly was a helpful omen in aiding Santiago to make the right choice. |
| Point 2 | More often than not, omens lead us to better things in life and destruct us from harm. Relying on omens will help us to realize our untapped potential, as did the crystal merchant. |
| Quote 2 | “Business has really improved,” he said to the boy” (Coelho). |
| Evidence 2 | The crystal merchant regarded Santiago as an omen. His presence and ideas helped the merchant expand his business to new horizons he could not have thought of before. This is a clear indication that if we followed our individual omens in real life, we would realize all the good things that have been difficult to achieve for ourselves. |
| Transition/Concluding Sentence | Omens are, at times, elusive to recognize and interpret, but following them is insightful in achieving one’s desires and ambitions. |
Body Paragraph #2
| Topic Sentence | Omens are proof that everything is interconnected and in appreciating that there is enlightenment. |
| Point 1 | I believe when your soul is in harmony with the universe, you achieve ultimate peace and enlightenment. |
| Quote 1 | Coelho remarks that ” The boy was beginning to understand that intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there” (118). |
| Explanation 1 | Omens are much easier to detect when one is at peace with the universe. The ultimate enlightenment manifests when you are at this state since everything is literally there. This is what the purity of the world entails as disclosed to Santiago. |
| Point 2 | Omens are also interconnected like little pieces of a puzzle which means there are very few chances of being misguided as a result of following them |
| Quote 2 | “…the path was written in the omens, and there was no way I could go wrong…” (Coelho). |
| Evidence 2 | Santiago eventually discovered his treasure after a long journey filled with omens. Following omens often leads us to realize the good things that are meant for us outside our comfort zones. |
| Transition/Concluding Sentence | No one variable can exist independently in the universe. Appreciating the connections, however, little gives us better control of our omens and the environment around us.
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Body Paragraph #3
| Topic Sentence | Omens usually point one in the same direction in life. |
| Point 1 | We all have our own destinies, and it is the purpose of omens to guide us towards realizing this destiny. Thus it is impossible to experience contradicting omens which are why we should follow them |
| Quote 1 | “The boy was startled. The old woman had said the same thing” (Coelho). |
| Explanation 1 | This interconnection of singular events is the chief motif of the novel. Santiago went to the gypsy woman after having a recurrent dream so that she could help her interpret it. Shortly after, the King of Salem appears to Santiago, confirming the gypsy woman’s interpretation of him. Santiago realizes his personal legend, which is to visit the pyramids of Egypt. |
| Point 2 | As we come to realize, everything has a personal legend whose fulfillment nourishes and purifies the soul and purity of the world. Omens are a divine compass for every person in realizing their legends. |
| Quote 2 | ”Take these,” said the old man, holding out a white stone and a black stone…” (Coelho). |
| Evidence 2 | The King of Salem gave Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummin, which helped him in deciding which omen to follow. Whenever he touched the stones, he felt the King’s presence and knew that he was not alone. The stones took away the feeling of hopelessness and guided him towards the right path as his willpower was replenished. The stones were an omen that guided him to realize his personal legend. |
| Transition/Concluding Sentence | The same way, omens guide us through our destiny and act as a sign of inspiration when we feel like giving up on our personal legends.
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Conclusion Paragraph
| Restatement of Thesis | Omens exist in real life, and if we are careful enough to observe and follow them, they will be instrumental in leading us to the fulfillment of our pursuits because they are specific to each person. |
| Summary of Main Points | Our instincts guide us when we are clueless about which decision to make. The interconnection between all things in the universe is the fundamental principle behind omens. We all have our own legends, which would be elusive to achieve should we ignore omens. Omens help us to realize our personal legends and fulfill them, thus adding to the purity of the world. Our journeys throughout life are filled with little signs, which give us better insight on which path to follow.
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| Final “Tinker”/Thoughts | We should not ignore omens since they are instrumental and effective in realizing our destiny. |
DRAFT OF ESSAY – Type your draft here.
| Name: Instructor: Course: Date: The Alchemist: Should People in Real Life Follow Omens? (Hook)An omen is a sign that helps one determine good from bad, often in an intuitive manner. (Introduction)The Alchemist creatively uses omens to illustrate the inextricable connection that exists in the universe. In discovering their destiny, characters interpret different omens, all of which are helpful in the pursuit of their dreams. The concept of the Language and Soul of the World is revealed to Santiago, which helps him to learn about his destiny and the power within. (Thesis)Omens exist in real life, and if we are careful enough to observe and follow them, they will be instrumental in leading us to the fulfillment of our pursuits because they are specific to each person. (Topic sentence) Instinct is inherent in every human being, and more often than not, when we rely on our instincts or instincts, we are less susceptible to disappointments. (Point 1)Omens present themselves as little signs and intuitions that guide us in making hard choices or getting into a particular course of action. Santiago, in his first encounter with the King, was not sure whether or not he should heed the King’s advice and pursue his own legend. (Quote1) “Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared and fluttered between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen (Coelho).” (Explanation 1) Santiago relied on an omen to follow the older man’s advice. He does not regret this decision later on as he gains so much. Omens lead us to make better decisions hence achieving success. The butterfly was a helpful omen in aiding Santiago to make the right choice. (Point 2) More often than not, omens lead us to better things in life and destruct us from harm. Relying on omens will help us to realize our untapped potential as did the crystal merchant (Quote 2) “Business has really improved,” he said to the boy” (Coelho). (Evidence 2)The crystal merchant regarded Santiago as an omen. His presence and ideas helped the merchant expand his business to new horizons he could not have thought of before. This is a clear indication that if we followed our individual omens in real life, we would realize all the good things that have been difficult to achieve for ourselves. (Conclusion) Omens are, at times, elusive to recognize and interpret, but following them is insightful in attaining one’s desires and ambitions. (Topic Sentence) Omens are proof that everything is interconnected and in appreciating that there is enlightenment. (Point 1) I believe when your soul is in harmony with the universe, you achieve ultimate peace and understanding. (Quote 1) Coelho remarks that ” The boy was beginning to understand that intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there” (118). (Explanation 1) Omens are much easier to detect when one is at peace with the universe. The ultimate enlightenment manifests when you are at this state since everything is literally there. This is what the purity of the world entails as disclosed to Santiago. (Point 2) Omens are also interconnected like little pieces of a puzzle, which means there are very few chances of being misguided as a result of following them (Quote 2)“…the path was written in the omens, and there was no way I could go wrong…” (Coelho).(Evidence 2) Santiago eventually discovered his treasure after a long journey filled with omens. Following omens often leads us to realize the good things that are meant for us outside our comfort zones. (Conclusion) No one variable can exist independently in the universe. Appreciating the connections however little gives us better control of our omens and the environment around us. (Topic Sentence) Omens usually point one in the same direction in life. (Point 1)We all have our own destinies, and it is the purpose of omens to guide us towards realizing this destiny. Thus it is impossible to experience contradicting omens, which is why we should follow them (Quote 1). “The boy was startled. The old woman had said the same thing” (Coelho). (Explanation 1) This interconnection of singular events is the chief motif of the novel. Santiago went to the gypsy woman after having a recurrent dream so that she could help her interpret it. Shortly after, the King of Salem appears to Santiago, confirming the gypsy woman’s interpretation of him. Santiago realizes his personal legend, which is to visit the pyramids of Egypt. (Point 2) As we come to realize, everything or everyone has an own legend whose fulfillment nourishes and purifies the soul and purity of the world. Omens are a divine compass for every person in realizing their legends. (Quote 2) “Take these,” said the old man, holding out a white stone and a black stone…” (Coelho). (Evidence 2) The King of Salem gave Santiago two stones, Urim and Thummin, which helped him in deciding which omen to follow. Whenever he touched the stones, he felt the King’s presence and knew that he was not alone. The stones took away the feeling of hopelessness and guided him towards the right path as his willpower was replenished. The stones were an omen that guided him to realize his personal legend. (Conclusion) The same way, omens guide us through our destiny and act as a sign of inspiration when we feel like giving up on our personal legends. (Thesis) Omens exist in real life, and if we are careful enough to observe and follow them, they will be instrumental in leading us to the fulfillment of our pursuits because they are specific to each person. (Main Points) Our instincts guide us when we are clueless about which decision to make. The interconnection between all things in the universe is the fundamental principle behind omens. We all have our own legends, which would be elusive to achieve should we ignore omens. Omens help us to realize our personal legends and fulfill them, thus adding to the purity of the world. Our journeys throughout life are filled with little signs, which give us better insight on which path to follow. (Thought)We should not ignore omens since they are instrumental and effective in realizing our destiny.
Works Cited Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1998. Print.
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SELF-EDIT
| TASK | YES/NO |
| Highlight your thesis statement. It should be one sentence in the first paragraph of your paper. | |
| On a separate sheet of paper, write down the topic sentence of each paragraph. How does each one support, explain, or expand on the thesis statement? | |
| Reread the assignment instructions. Does your writing fulfill all the requirements? | |
| Use direct quotations sparingly; paraphrase whenever possible. Save direct quotations for statements that are difficult to paraphrase or are exceptionally well stated. Check that all the direct quotations you have used are necessary. Can you paraphrase instead? | |
| Take a look at your in-text citations. Have you written them correctly? | |
| Take a look at the end-of-text citations in the bibliography. Have you written them correctly? | |
| Use the spell-checker. You don’t have to obey the computer’s command, but you should ask yourself why your version might be highlighted. | |
| Use the grammar-checker. Again, you don’t have to obey the computer’s command, but ask yourself why your version is highlighted. | |
| Choose paragraphs at random to edit. Doing so helps you focus on what is actually on the page versus what you think is there. Read each paragraph aloud. You will be surprised how many small errors you can catch with this method of self-editing. Errors like mistyping “form” instead of “from” or “hen” instead of “then” are easier to find when you read aloud. |
SUBMISSION
- Submit good copy to Turnitin.com
- Submit rough work and draft to Edmodo
Opinion Essay Rubric
| CRITERIA | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
| Thesis/Claim Knowledge and Understanding | Thesis/Claim is precise, knowledgeable, significant, and distinguished from alternate or opposing claims |
Thesis/Claim is precise and knowledgeable |
Thesis/Claim may be unclear or irrelevant |
Thesis/Claim is missing |
| Essay Structure Knowledge and Understanding
| All parts of the essay are present, and essay structure is followed effectively and thoughtfully | All parts of the essay are present, but essay is mechanical. | Essay structure is not followed, and/or some parts of the essay are missing. | Evidence of essay structure is lacking, essay may be one paragraph in length. |
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Use of Evidence Application
| Develops the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples
Skillfully integrates information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas and advance the thesis | Develops the topic by selecting significant and relevant facts, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples
Integrates information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas and advance the thesis
| Attempts to develop the topic using facts and other information, but evidence is inaccurate, irrelevant, and/or insufficient
Attempts to integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas and advance the thesis, but information is insufficient or irrelevant | Does not develop the topic by selecting information and examples from the text(s)
Does not integrate information from the text
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| Use of Analysis Thinking
| Skillfully draws evidence from informational texts to support analysis and thesis/claim
Skillfully delineates and evaluates the argument and specific claims in cited texts, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient
Skillfully identifies false statements and fallacious reasoning
| Draws evidence from research to support analysis and thesis/claim
Delineates and evaluates the argument and specific claims in cited texts, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient
Identifies false statements and fallacious reasoning.
| Attempts to draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis and thesis/claim but evidence is insufficient and/or irrelevant
Attempts to delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in cited texts, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient, but analysis is insufficient
Attempts to identify false statements and fallacious reasoning, but argument is incomplete or insufficient | Does not use evidence from the informational texts to support analysis and/or thesis/claim
Does not delineate or evaluate claims in text
Does not identify false claims or fallacious reasoning
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Organization, Writing Style and Conventions Communication
| Organization skillfully sequences the claim(s), reasons, and evidence. Provides a concluding statement or section that skillfully follows from or supports the argument presented Skillfully produces clear, coherent, sophisticated writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
Follows the standard (MLA) format with no errors | Organization logically sequences the claim(s), reasons, and evidence Provides a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented Produces clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
Follows the standard (MLA) format for citation with few and/or minor errors
| Attempts to create a logical organization, but may be missing some elements of the assignment
Attempts to provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented, but statement does not support thesis
Attempts to produce clear and coherent writing, but errors in conventions and writing style detract from understanding
Attempts to follow the standard format for citation but with several errors | Does not provide logical organization
Does not provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented
Does not produce clear and coherent writing
Does not follow the standard format |
Teacher notes and additional comments: