chocolateessayexample

AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD ESSAY WRITING PREPARED BY SUSAN VINCENT FOR ANTH 110.11 AND ANTH 110.12, MARCH 2008 The following essay answers the question, "Is chocolate good or bad? Explain your answer." Its major flaw is that it lacks a full analysis, more complete evidence and explanation, but it covers the main elements of a good essay.	ANATOMY OF THE ESSAY
CHOCOLATE: THE GODS’ FOOD FOR THE PEOPLE	Title gives an idea of the content and the argument; this is a bit vague about the argument, but does suggest a positive answer.
Few foods are as popular and coveted as chocolate. Chocolate has many good features. Its long history and importance in both "New World" indigenous and Western cuisines attest to its positive characteristics. Chocolate is not only symbolically important, it contributes to a healthy diet. Economically, chocolate constitutes a crucial component of the income of several developing countries. Of course, chocolate also tastes good. But here a note of caution is necessary: much of the stuff that is sold as chocolate is ill-prepared and adulterated and therefore does not benefit humanity. In this essay I will argue that good chocolate has a positive impact on expressive culture, health and the economy.	Introduction introduces the general topic and the grounds on which it will be discussed (expressive culture, economy, health). The thesis statement at the end of the introduction clearly states a position and the grounds on which it will be analysed. Note that the argument is quite specific about what kind of chocolate is considered to be good.
The terms on which this argument will be made must be defined. The Larousse Gastronomique defines a good chocolate as one which has a high chocolate content, melts on the tongue like butter, has a true aroma of chocolate rather than of cocoa powder, and is neither greasy nor sticky (Courtine 1988: 293). Expressive culture alerts us to important ideas and social relations in societies (Miller, Van Esterik and Van Esterik 2007: 308). Health here is understood in terms of nutrition, rather than other factors of physical well-being. The economy will be analysed in terms of a system of exchange through which producers of commodities with a world market can earn income, or be disadvantaged through the world system (Miller, Van Esterik and Van Esterik 2007: 51).	This paragraph sets out the concepts, or theoretical framework on which the argument is based and on which the evidence will be analysed. Note the in-text references.
We also need to understand the context in which the discussion takes place. Chocolate's history long precedes its use as a basis for candy: it has been used, either by itself or as an ingredient in other foods, since before the seventh century A.D. in its place of origin in South America (McGee 1984: 397). Its delicious flavour made it popular in societies now faced with lifestyles that result in high rates of obesity, with youth particularly affected (Ward 2008). Because chocolate bars are inexpensive, widely available and highly caloric, they are part of the reason for this situation. As I will argue below, however, good chocolate can also be part of the solution.	This paragraph sets out the context, in this case chocolate’s history as well as its place in the current Western problem of obesity.
We can begin to establish a positive view of chocolate by thinking about its role in national cultural expression, including cooking. Mexican cooking is especially dependent on chocolate, for example in "mole" sauces for meats. This translates to cultural significance as evidenced by Laura Esquivel's (1989) novel (and the subsequent film) Like Water for Chocolate. Chocolate does not only have importance in the construction of a Mexican national identity, it is also important in other countries at both national and regional levels. In Europe, chocolate takes a central role in Dutch, Swiss, Belgian and French history, cooking and symbolism (see, eg. Terrio 1996; Reed-Danahay1996).	Now the evidence is being presented to support the argument. This picks up the idea of cultural expression and provides information to support that this is an important role for chocolate in terms of national identity as well as other things. Note the references. Also note the sentences at the beginning of each paragraph that try to link with the preceding paragraph to provide flow through the paper.
Just as chocolate is important in cultural expression, so it can be part of a nutritious diet. Good chocolate is rich in energy, protein, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D (Courtine 1988: 293). These elements are important to physiological health. Further, chocolate may have beneficial effects on mood, although scientific proof of this theory is still missing (McGee1984: 408).	The evidence continues here, now on the aspect of nutrition.
Certainly some producers of chocolate are made happy by selling their product. Economically, chocolate has a wide impact. Although its origins are in South America, countries of Africa, especially Ivory Coast, are the current major producers (McGee 1984: 403). It is traded on the New York commodity market and provides income for traders, producers and processors. While much chocolate is produced by exploited labourers and undermines the independence of small producers (Morris 2008), there is an increasing movement towards fair trade in cocoa and chocolate which leads to the empowerment and economic sustainability for others (Doherty and Tranchell 2005).	And on to the evidence with respect to the economic aspects.
Most important, of course, is the taste of a good, smooth, rich dark chocolate with its pungent sweet bitterness. Such a chocolate satisfies the taste buds, unlike the cloying sweetness of the popularly termed "chocolate bar", which has little chocolate and many questionable ingredients.	A minor last point on taste, in this case it is a "bonus" not predicted by the introduction. Since it is fairly minor rather than a major part of the argument, that is okay.
While the mass-produced industrial "chocolate" bar is produced and consumed in ways that undermine the health of the economy and the populace, the evidence presented here shows that good chocolate can be powerful culturally, nutritionally, economically and in terms of taste. Such a product really is "food of the gods." The latin name for cocoa is "Theobroma cacao.". Theobroma means "food of the gods" (McGee 1984: 402); the abomination which often takes the name of "chocolate" in popular culture is not fit for the devils.	And the conclusion, which sums up what has been done and ends with a rhetorical flourish. It would also have been good to indicate further areas for study.
REFERENCES CITED Courtine, R., Ed. 1988 Larousse Gastronomique. London: Mandarin. Doherty, Bob and Sophi Tranchell 2005 "New Thinking in International Trade? A Case Study of The Day Chocolate Company." Sustainable Development 13: 166-176. Esquivel, Laura 1989 Like Water for Chocolate. London: Doubleday. McGee, Harold 1984 On Food and Cooking. New York: Collier Books. Miller, Barbara, Penny Van Esterik and John Van Esterik 2007 Cultural Anthropology, Third Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson. Morris, Harvey 2008 "Valentine’s Day gifts leave a bitter taste." Financial Times, February 14, p. 4. Reed1Danahay, Deborah 1996 "Champagne and Chocolate." American Anthropologist. 98(4): 750-761. Terrio, Susan 1996 "Crafting Grand Cru Chocolates in Contemporary France." American Anthropologist. 98(1): 67-79.	See the style as each source used in the paper is given a full bibliographic reference here.