Rape culture leads to the widespread underreporting of sexual assault crimes. Victims fear retaliation or being disbelieved. If reported, a case often won't proceed due to lack of evidence. And the legal process is draining for victims, involving reliving trauma through repeated testimony and cross-examination. Rape culture myths affect how society and the legal system treat victims. Comprehensive reform is needed to support victims and properly address this prevalent issue.

1. Issue Analysis Essay
Workshop on Draft II
Intro
Do you have an attention getter to lead into your topic/issue?
Provide relevant background information.
Intro should end in a nuanced thesis that sums up the results of
the analysis.
Development
There should be 4-6 body paragraphs.
Paragraphs should be 100-150 words.
Each paragraph should develop one aspect of the issue.
Good paragraph development means moving from a general idea
to specific details.
Required research: 2 secondary sources + 1 interview
Organization
Paragraphs should be connected.
The beginning of a paragraph should relate to the idea of the
previous paragraph to establish coherence.
Apply the advice from the module “Writing Process: Revising.”
Consider doing the Post-Draft Outline.
Presentation
MLA format (header, pagination, spacing)
In-text citations:
author/source is cited in the sentence (According to Paul Jones,

2. . . .) or
in a parenthetical note at the end of the sentence: (Jones)
Make sure you paraphrase sources primarily and quote only
when needed.
When quoting, avoid “quote bombs.” Remember the three-part
process . . .
Works Cited needs to follow MLA 8.
Style
Avoid all first (I, we) and second (you, your) person point of
you.
Strive for polished word choices and sentence style.
Grammar / Mechanics
Focus on grammar, spelling, mechanics on your third draft,
after you are finished revising the content.
Apply the advice from the module “Writing Process:
Proofreading.”
Research Paper
. The Sun Also Rises
Ernest Hemingway
Begin your research using the FIT Library and its on-line
sources.
1. Start with biographical information on your author. Find at
least one good biographical source and use this information for
the first part of your paper.
2. Choose one literary source, preferably a scholarly (peer
reviewed) or critical article published in a university press
journal. Use this source as the second part of your paper.

3. 3. Choose another source of the same quality as your first
source and make this source the third part of your paper.
4. Choose a third source of the same quality as your first two
sources and make this source the fourth part of your paper.
5. The fifth and last part of your paper is a conclusion in which
you will comment on what you have learned about your author
from your research.
General Guidelines:
Use MLA Guidelines from your Bedford Handbook pp. 569-674.
Length: 1,000 – 1,500 Words.
Do not use Wikipedia.
Sources: lib.fit.edu. JSTOR/LRC/Summon.
Research Paper
.
The Sun Also Rises
Ernest Hemingway
B
egin your research using the FIT Library and its on
-
line sources
.
1.
Start with biographical information on your author.

4. Find
at least one
good biographical source and use th
is
information for the first part of
your paper.
2.
Choose one literary source, preferably a scholarly
(
p
eer
r
eviewed)
or
critical article published in a university press journal. Use this
source
as the second part of your paper.
3.
Choose another source of the same quality as your first source
and
make this source the third part of your paper.
4.

5. Choose a third source of th
e same quality as your first two sources
and make this source the fourth part of your paper.
5.
The fifth and last part of your paper is a conclusion in which
you will
commen
t on what you have learned about your author from your
research.
General Guidelines
:
Use MLA Guidelines from your
Bedford Handbook
pp.
569
-
6
74
.
Length: 1,000
–
1,500 Words
.
Do

6. not
use
Wikipedia
.
Sources: lib.fit.edu. JSTOR/LRC
/
Summon
.
Research Paper
. The Sun Also Rises
Ernest Hemingway
Begin your research using the FIT Library and its on-line
sources.
1. Start with biographical information on your author. Find at
least one
good biographical source and use this information for the first
part of
your paper.
2. Choose one literary source, preferably a scholarly (peer
reviewed) or
critical article published in a university press journal. Use this
source
as the second part of your paper.
3. Choose another source of the same quality as your first
source and
make this source the third part of your paper.
4. Choose a third source of the same quality as your first two

7. sources
and make this source the fourth part of your paper.
5. The fifth and last part of your paper is a conclusion in which
you will
comment on what you have learned about your author from your
research.
General Guidelines:
Use MLA Guidelines from your Bedford Handbook pp. 569-674.
Length: 1,000 – 1,500 Words.
Do not use Wikipedia.
Sources: lib.fit.edu. JSTOR/LRC/Summon.
ENC 1101 ESSAY EVALUATION—Issue Analysis Essay
Name: ______________ Grade: _____
1. Focus/Thesis:
· The student has arrived at a specific and innovative/creative
perspective in response to the assignment.
· The introduction begins with an attention-getter and ends in a
specific thesis, which shows a keen awareness of the nuances of
the issue.
· The focus of the writing is clear and maintained throughout
the essay.
Excellent Good Adequate Weak Inadequate
1. Development of Student’s Ideas and Engagement with Texts:
· The ideas are developed with specific information, including
references to the two required outside sources (at least one from
TCC database) and the primary source (interview with
professional).
· The student demonstrates broad knowledge about the different
perspectives on or the causes and effects of the issue.
· The essay displays that the student knows how to analyze
objectively and how to synthesize information in order to
establish a basis for remedying this issue.

8. · Paragraphs are developed and show progression from a general
idea to specific details. Excellent Good Adequate
Weak Inadequate
1. Organization:
· Each part of the essay flows logically from the preceding
point.
· Coherence between and within paragraphs is distinctive and
further supports the writer's goal to provide clear understanding
and engaged reading throughout the essay.
Excellent Good Adequate Weak Inadequate
1. Presentation and Style:
· Presentation of the essay, including MLA format and
documentation of sources, is appropriate to the writing context.
The Works Cited page follows MLA requirements. Quotations
are properly introduced and integrated. Quote bombs are
avoided.
· The essay demonstrates control of diction and sentence style,
as well as appropriate point of view and tone (no second
person), further contributing to the reader's ability to
understand and remain engaged in the essay.
Excellent Good Adequate Weak Inadequate
5. Grammar, Spelling, and Mechanics:
· Minimal errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics appear so
that the reader is never distracted by errors.
· The writing meets the standards of college-level English.
[Frequent and serious errors will lower an essay’s grade to
below a C.]Excellent Good Adequate
Weak Inadequate
ENC 1101 Issue Analysis Essay
The purpose of this essay is to identify and analyze a significant
issue or topic of discussion in your field of study or meta-major
or planned career. First, you will explore and consider various

9. viewpoints on the issue through reading, researching, and
writing. This exploration will include three elements: your
perspective, the perspectives of others in the field, and the
perspectives of various authors of articles you have read. Then
you will craft a specific thesis in regard to the issue, utilizing
academic resources to support your position and to explore
various perspectives of the issue. Finally, you will propose a
possible answer or solution(s) to the issue.
Characteristics of the Issue Analysis Essay
A successful essay
· provides an engaging introduction that offers the reader some
background information on this issue.
· presents a thesis that offers a sophisticated and nuanced
understanding of this issue as it relates to your meta-major or
chosen career path.
· supports the thesis through well-developed paragraphs that are
organized strategically.
· presents an objective stance by the use of third-person voice.
· includes specific details and evidence with regard to the
problem.
· correctly integrates quotations and conforms to MLA
documentation and format guidelines.
Topic: Now that we have read the primary text, discuss factors
students should consider when choosing a major. As you
explore this topic, you may consider some of the below
questions:
· Why is it hard for some students to select a major?
· What are some pros and cons of choosing a major in the arts?
· What are some pros and cons of choosing a STEM major?
· How did you arrive at your decision to enter your major?
· Should money be a determining factor in deciding a
major/career?
· Should student debt influence a student’s decision when
selecting a major/career?
Length of Paper: 3 – 5 pages
Important features to include in this essay:

10. · Research and integrate a minimum of five sources into your
essay. Each source must be referenced and cited in the essay as
a quote or paraphrase and cited as a tag reference or
parenthetical citation within the essay. As you search for your
sources, please adhere to the following:
1. Of the five sources, reference at least one academic journal.
2. Of the five sources, reference at least one magazine article.
3. Of the five sources, reference at least one interview of a
student not enrolled in the course.
4. Of the five sources, reference at least one interview of an
academic advisor or faculty member.
5. Of the five sources, locate at least one source from the TCC
database.
6. No Wikipedia sources
· Avoid second person (e.g., you, your, imperative sentences).
· Prepare a Works Cited section on the last page of the essay for
the primary and three secondary texts.
MAKE SURE YOUR PAPER HAS A TITLE. YOUR TITLE IS
NOT THE REWORDING OF THE PROMPT. YOUR TITLE
SHOULD REFLECT YOUR THESIS, OR THE PREMISE OF
YOUR ESSAY!!!!!!!
Other reminders: Font Times New Roman / Size 12; Double
Spaced; Include Page Numbers (top right corner of page); and
NO COVER PAGE. Your first page should look like this:
Submission: Please submit your essay through canvas. Do not
email your final papers.
Possible Outline
The following outline offers a suggested guideline for
organizing your issue analysis essay.
Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)
· Create a lead-in “hook” to engage your readers’ interest (e.g.,
a striking quotation gleaned from your exploratory research, an
anecdote or scenario, a related current event).
· Provide brief background information to bring your readers up
to speed: Why should readers care about this topic as a subject
of inquiry? What relevance does it have to their lives/careers

11. today?
· Provide a brief overview of different perspectives on the
topic.
· Present a focused and specific thesis with regard to the issue.
Body (3-5 paragraphs)
· Discuss each perspective or idea separately in one or more
paragraphs.
· Include and comment on the importance of others’ opinions.
· Include transitions between your discussions of each
perspective/idea.
· Begin each perspective/idea with a clear topic sentence.
· Support all viewpoints with details and specific examples,
possibly making use of comparison and contrast.
· Include the required outside sources. Paraphrase ideas more
than quoting them.
Conclusion (1-2paragraphs)
· How can the issue be resolved? Make suggestions.
· Propose possible solutions or remedies to this issue.
· Propose a course of action, if applicable.
If you have any other questions, please see me during my office
hours, or email me.
Thank You! And Happy Drafting!!!
Strauss 1
Hanna Strauss
Dr. Wolfgang Lepschy
ENC 1101
28 March 2018
“Rape Culture” in Our Society
A prominent issue in our society is sexual assault and the fact
that the victims of these crimes are often neglected in our

12. society. According to statistics from the Department of Justice,
“[o]nly 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to
police. That means about 2 out of 3 go unreported” (“The
Criminal Justice System”). This neglect leads to a lack of
justice served for these victims who deserve it so badly. These
problems all stem from an issue referred to as “rape culture.” It
affects almost every aspect of the process a victim must go
through if they choose to report this crime. The crime of rape is
extremely underreported, causing the issue of sexual assault to
be overlooked in a way that causes a great percentage of the
population to not realize how common it is. Additionally, once
reported, sexual assault cases rarely make it to trial. If a victim
does choose to report the crime and their case does go to trial,
the legal process they are about to endure will be even more
challenging. In sum, on top of enduring basic struggles
associated with being a rape victim, victims of sexual assault
rarely report these crimes, and those who do report are often
mistreated by the legal system and society due to the
widespread rape culture. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Use
of thought-provoking facts to establish context and relevance
for the issue. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Focus
statement/thesis summarizes the issue that will be analyzed.
Sexual assault, more specifically rape, is clearly an issue that
needs more attention. It is arguably the most underreported
crime in America. The main reason this crime is not reported by
its victims is out of fear. Victims hold a valid fear that they will
not be believed. This is mainly due to society’s preconceived
opinions and beliefs about sexual assault and its victims
(Beavers and Halabi 558). The horrible difficulties that come
with being a public victim of rape discourage new victims from
opening up or even admitting to themselves that it happened.
Many victims fear coming forward to their families and support
systems. The possible disapproval and the lack of comfort and
understanding only increases the inevitable self-guilt, shame,
and embarrassment (Sarmiento 141). On top of this, the
stereotype of a rape victim is not a pretty one. Therefore, it’s no

13. surprise that victims do not want to be put in the same box as
the others before them; in fact, they fear that box. Comment by
Wolfgang Lepschy: This paragraph analyzes one cause for the
under-reporting of rape: fear. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy:
The student develops the first cause by paraphrasing different
sources.
For those brave enough to report this crime to the police, it is
not likely that the case will even continue past that point.
During an interview with specialist Kelsey Singer, she shared
her professional opinion about why prosecutors often fail to
take these cases to trial: “...through what I have seen in my
experience… it is rare that there will be any DNA evidence
whatsoever… Without evidence, it makes the case that much
harder to prove as it then becomes a question of consent,
thereby turning into a he said/she said scenario.” However, if a
case can be built and tried, the legal process is often so
unbearable that victims frequently question their decision to
report. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Skillfully transitions
from first to second cause. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy:
Introduces and explains the second cause.
In addition, many victims are unable to recall all of the events
that occurred, making it seem as though they never happened.
This disassociation is very common and is due to the effects of
Rape Trauma Syndrome, which causes victims of sexual assault
to have either a fight, flight, or freeze response at the time of
the traumatic event (Kaufman 1476). The mind goes to
extraordinary lengths to protect our bodies by withholding
memories, as they could be too traumatizing to relive. This
becomes a problem in the legal process because as a victim
heals from the trauma, they begin to recollect different events
and memories, calling the events into question. Comment by
Wolfgang Lepschy: Third cause.
The strength it takes to stand up in front of a jury and describe
the trauma in detail, multiple times, in front of the assailant,
while being interrogated and challenged by the defense attorney
and the judge, is very wearing on a person. Furthermore, this

14. process is not a short one. It can take many months to years
until a case actually goes to trial. Meanwhile, the victims
continue to struggle and heal from the incident. Many victims of
sexual assault suffer from alcoholism, self-blame, and have
trust issues that affect their relationships. Moreover, 80% of
rape victims are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(Kaufman 1476). Another difficulty that regularly occurs in
sexual assault cases is when a victim has had a relationship with
the perpetrator in the past. Even though logically everyone
should know and understand that consent is something that
needs to be issued in every sexual interaction, many people turn
a blind eye to this fact. Why? The answer is rape culture.
Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: The fourth reason is the
stress and emotional discomfort the victim has to endure.
The beliefs about rape and victimization are so embedded in
American minds that people do not even realize that they are
surrendering and adhering to such myths, thus leaving the
majority of the population with biased opinions regarding how
these matters should be handled. Societal beliefs in rape myths
and rape culture are what hinder progress in terms of how
victims are treated.Rape culture is responsible for victim
blaming, which is done by the public, but also police officers,
medical personnel, judges, and juries (Reling et al. 501).
Unfortunately, this validates victims’ feelings of self-blame.
Average people often live their lives under an illusion of safety.
When they blame the victims for what happened, then those
people can find a sense of security in that this awful crime “will
never happen to them.” The problem is that unfortunately it is
not that simple. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Here the
student transitions to society blaming the victim.
The crime of sexual assault does not discriminate. Men,
transgender individuals, elderly people, inmates, and members
of the military are all subject to sexual assault. For instance, 1
in every 5 women are assaulted, and 1 in 10 males are assaulted.
In addition to this, 1 in 7 military members are subject to abuse
at the hands of a commanding officer and 60% of sexual

15. violence in prisons is perpetrated by staff. When it comes to
this crime, every 98 seconds someone is assaulted. This means
that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are
perpetrated against daily. Individuals aged 12-34 are at the
highest risk of assault, and women 16-19 years old are four
times more likely to be sexually assaulted than the general
public (Singer). Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Additional
statistics illustrate the pervasiveness of the issue.
Though being underreported may give people the false
impression that this crime isn’t common, this is evidently not
the case. Sexual assault is a major issue that affects much of
America’s population. In order for justice to be served to the
victims of sexual assault, it is imperative that rape culture be
abolished. Until our society properly educates themselves on the
existing rape myths and alters their views toward victims of
rape and sexual assault, this crime will continue to occur and be
underreported. Comment by Wolfgang Lepschy: Sums up
analysis with a wake-up call for society.
Works Cited
Beavers, Jenelle M., and Sam F. Halabi. "Stigma and the
Structure of Title IX Compliance."
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, Winter 2017, p. 558+.
Academic OneFile,
link.galegroup.com.db28.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A528197847/A
ONE?u=lincclin_tcc&sid=AONE&xid=001a7bb7.
“The Criminal Justice System: Statistics.” www.rainn.org.
RAINN, 2018,
www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system.
Kaufman, Miriam. "Care of the Adolescent Sexual Assault
Victim." Pediatrics, June 2001, p.
1476. Academic OneFile,
link.galegroup.com.db28.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A75561254/AO
NE?u=lincclin_tcc&sid=AONE&xid=39833adb.
Reling, Timothy T., et al. "Rape Myths and Hookup Culture: An
Exploratory Study of U.S.

16. College Students' Perceptions." Sex Roles, vol. 78, no. 7/8, Apr.
2018, pp. 501-514. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1007/s11199-017-0813-
4.
Sarmiento, Ilaria. "Rape Stereotypes and Labeling: Awareness
of Victimization and Trauma."
Psychological Reports, vol. 108, no. 1, Feb. 2011, pp. 141-148.
EBSCOhost, doi:10.2466/07.13.16.PR0.108.1.141-148.
Singer, Kelsey. Interview by phone. By Hanna Strauss. 8 Mar.
2018.