The talk after ferguson a shaded conversation about race

MA 1: Genre Analysis Essay--The Narrative (150 points)

Final draft due Thursday, June 14

General Assignment and Prompt

To begin to understand the concept of genre and its importance, we have explored one particular genre--the narrative. Our discussions have been focused around a few guiding questions:

· What is a narrative?

· How is a narrative constructed--what are some of the recognizable elements or conventions of a narrative?

· What are the similarities and differences between fiction and non-fiction narratives and how they are constructed?

· Why write a narrative?

· How are various narrative elements used to convey concepts or accomplish a purpose?

· How is this an effective and powerful means of accomplishing a purpose--showing concepts or conveying ideas?

· How do narratives engage an audience?

· How do narratives help an audience to witness and understand history, society and culture, and pass on such knowledge? How do they help us understand what it means to be human or part of a culture or society?

These guiding questions are the basis of the prompt for your first major assignment.

MA 1 Prompt:

Using some of the narratives we have discussed as examples, define and explain what narratives are and why they are written--how they can be powerful and effective means of accomplishing a purpose, to exhibit or express concepts or ideas, and of engaging an audience, particularly in ways that other types of texts cannot.

Source Requirements

For this essay, you must refer to and quote from

· At least one nonfiction narrative that we read (more is ok):

· Canedy, "The Talk: After Ferguson, a Shaded Conversation about Race" (EAA 884-87)

· Diaz, "The Money" (EAA 912-15)

· Alexie, "Superman and Me"

· Walker, "Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self"

· At least of fiction narrative that we read (more is ok):

· Alexie, "This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona"

· Walker, "Everyday Use"

· At least one peer-reviewed journal article located in a library database that analyzes one of Alexie's or Walker's works (more is ok)--the article you wrote about for SWA 3 may be used

Guidelines and other Requirements for Drafting MA 1

Title:

Provide a title that is appropriate and interesting.

Introduction:

· Begin with a lead-in sentence.

· Provide general background information that relates to your topic, helps readers understand what you will be focusing on, and sets up your thesis and discussion. You may consider introducing the primary texts/sources that you will be discussing as examples (if this will be appropriate for your discussion).

· End your introduction with a thesis statement that provides your response to the essay prompt--what you will show overall about narratives (in general), how they function, and why people write them.

Body Paragraphs:

· Your paper should have at least 4 body paragraphs (more is ok)

· The order and focus of paragraphs should be based on your thesis and how you are responding to the prompt.

· Note: Body paragraphs should be based on different aspects about narratives (in general), with each body paragraph focused on one aspect about a narrative you want to show (e.g., one way narratives engage readers, or one way narratives effectively convey ideas, etc.). Thus, keep your response to the prompt in mind while planning and organizing your essay. Do not organize your paper around individual narratives/works (that is, do not merely focus on analyzing or summarizing individual works one at a time); instead, use the works we have read as examples of the larger ideas about narratives in general that your essay will demonstrate.

· Each body paragraph should contain a clear topic sentence that states one point you will make in support of your thesis--what is one thing about narratives that you want to show and discuss?

· Provide examples in the form of quotations or paraphrases from one or more narratives that we read to support your assertion.

· Provide only what is relevant and necessary to illustrate your point; do not summarize the whole work or long passages. Your focus should be on your discussion and analysis of the work(s), with short quotes or paraphrases used as examples to show what you are analyzing.

· Provide evidence (quote) from a secondary source (peer-reviewed journal article) if and where appropriate to support and further your ideas.

· Be sure to provide in-text citations for any information (such as quotes or paraphrases) that you use from sources (whether a narrative or a peer-reviewed journal article)

· Analyze/explain the evidence and examples your provide--how they relate to and show the point you are making a/o your overall thesis

Conclusion:

· Review your different ideas, tying them together and showing how they reaffirm your overall thesis

· Provide readers with a sense of closure

Works Cited:

Provide a works cited page that lists any and all sources you refer to in your essay (the narratives and journal articles you quote or paraphrase from).

For help with works cited, review the MLA Works Cited handout a/o Purdue OWL--"MLA Formatting and Style Guide".

Other Specifications and Guidelines:

· Do not use first person (I, we, my) or second person (you, your) pronouns (unless part of a quote).

· Do not use contractions (It’s, don’t, they’re, hasn’t, etc.)

· The essay should be word processed and conform to the guidelines on the MLA Format handout.

· The essay should be 3-4 pages long (more is ok)

· Note: any intentional plagiarism (using information from any source without citing or referencing it) may result in the assignment receiving no credit and the case being reported to the college.