II.

Seeing and Hearing Texts

Amy Tans Mother Tongue (Norton 633),
Geeta Kothari If You Are What You Eat, Then What am I?(Norton 922)
Malcom X Literacy Behind Bars(Norton 640)
Henry Louis Gates Jr. A Giant Step(Weebly)
Shitty First Drafts by Anne Lamott (Weebly)
Exercise One: Compare and Contrast Two Stories From Our Readings
For this assignment, you need to choose two of the four essays we have read in
Progression One (Amy Tans Mother Tongue, Geeta Kotharis If You Are What You
Eat, Then What Am I?, Henry Louis Gates Jr. A Giant Step, and Malcom X Literacy
Behind Bars(Norton 640). You have to find and discuss the similarities and differences
between both texts. Before comparing both texts, the writer needs to summarize them for
the reader. You should have at least 5-6 lines summarizing both essays for a reader who
has never heard of the texts.
These summaries will then lead to the compare/contrast portion of the assignment. As the
texts address similar issues in a multitude of voices, I would suggest you pick one theme
that both texts focus on. Examine a common idea or theme within each text and write
about how each author responds to these ideas in different ways. Remember, the theme of
the paper is identity, so dont forget to mention it while writing.
Be specific! Throughout your assignment, you must discuss the ways in which the
authors support their main points. Give several examples of the texts similarities and
differences. This paper should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, and in MLA format. Again,
you must analyze the texts rhetorically; you should not merely mention what you liked or
disliked in the essays.
Exercise Two: Shitty First Drafts
Your third exercise asks that you produce a Shitty First Draft. By Shitty First Draft,
I mean you should try and write a rough version of your essay. After you read Lamotts
essay on Moodle, you will understand this assignment more. Although this assignment is
a partial essay, you should at least have your introduction written and the rest of the essay
outlined.

Write a Draft of your paper that shows your awareness of the issue or ones own
identity. It is not a complete draft, but a partial draft.

Essay 2- Understanding the Impact of Identity

Throughout our exercises we have closely analyzed the importance of identity
within our stories and within ourselves. Now it is time to take your exercises, journals,
opinions, and personal experiences and construct an essay.

For this essay you will be required write a 2-3 page double-spaced essay that
focuses on how identities are shaped. You do not have to use all four stories, but you
must use at least two readings to support your claims. Are there similarities and/or
differences between the construction of your own identity in comparison to those of
the main characters? How do gender, culture, tradition, family, religion, class,
ability, and society affect the construction of the characters identities? How does
it affect your own identity? You may not want to respond to all aspects of identity. You
may choose to focus on two or three factors that contribute to your identity(ie: gender and
culture). However, you MUST discuss at least two stories.
Although I require and appreciate your personal reflection, please keep in mind
that the purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast the construction of identities
within the main characters, not just to write a personal narrative.
During our last class we reviewed our scoring rubric and discussed what was
expected of you if you wished to receive a particular grade. Please refer back to that
rubric to ensure that you are meeting all my expectations. Remember, you are all capable
of writing great papers. You have all the tools; you just have to use them!

Drafts Due: 5/4 & 5/9

What this means: Write an essay that explores how peoples identities are shaped.
Use at least two essays and a personal experience as evidence for your argument
about the construction of a persons gender, culture, tradition, family, religion, and
class.
Manuscript Notes: This essay should be two to three double-spaced pages and
calls for MLA documentation; you must include a Works Cited list at the end of
your essay. When you quote key phrases or clauses from your written text(s), you
must provide parenthetical documentation