“Flowers for Algernon” Essay Instructions You will write a 5 paragraph essay explaining whether or not you feel Charlie should have undergone the experiment or stayed the way he was. Consider: is it better to live a life of happiness but with no knowledge, or is it better to have knowledge even if it leads to the understanding that life is not always good or happy? Is it better to laugh along with those who laugh at you, or is it better to know that they are, in fact, laughing at you, not with you? Is it better that Charlie got to experience the life that others take for granted, or would it have been better to simply be ignorant of many of life’s experiences and just be happy living simply?

Requirements:

1 Introduction Paragraph

Hook (sentence grabbing audience’s attention that says something interesting about your topic)

Introduce short story (title, author, what it’s about)

Thesis: Should Charlie Gordon have undergone the experiment? Provide 3 reasons why (all in one sentence).

Transitional sentence: lead into first body paragraph topic

3 Body Paragraphs- for EACH paragraph, complete the following:

Topic sentence

Each body paragraph should discuss one of the reasons you listed in your thesis (why or why not Charlie should have undergone the experiment), so the topic sentence should introduce that reason

Quote

Each quote should show why your thesis (reason) is correct

Each quote needs to be properly written and cited: “Quote” (Keyes #).

2 Commentary statements

Explain how this quote proves your thesis (why your reason is correct) in TWO sentences

Transitional sentence

Sentence leading to your next body paragraph

In your final body paragraph, your transitional sentence should lead into your conclusion

1 Conclusion Paragraph

Explain, again, in different words, if Charlie Gordon should have undergone the experiment

Give three sentences explaining your reasoning for why he should or should not have undergone the experiment, using different language than before

Final statement

What was ultimately learned from “Flowers for Algernon” about life in general?