ENGL 383
African-American Literature, Spring 2006
Paper #1 Assignment
Pick one of the options below, and compose a 1,000-1,500
word paper in response to that topic. Be sure that you keep your paper focused on your topic, and
that you refer to, quote, and cite the literature often -- but no
bloc quotations! Also, no plot summary (where you
retell the work you're discussing). Assume that we've all read the
literature, and get right in to your discussion.
The paper should be uniform and professional:
- typed/computer printed in readably dark ink, double-spaced, on
one side of the page only
- font no bigger than 12-point Times or Palatino font through the whole paper
- 1" margins all around,
- pages numbered at upper-right after the first
page
- include no images (unless you obtain my prior permission)
- use cover sheet (no photos or drawings!) including on different lines your name, paper
title, and the course # and section # in the same font and font size listed above
- an electronic copy submitted to turnitin.com by 9 p.m. of the due date OR I WILL NOT READ YOUR PAPER.
Citation of the literature should appear in MLA style--see me if you are not familiar with MLA style. You
may use outside sources, but I do not require you to -- if you do
use outside sources, cite them in MLA style and include a works cited
page in MLA format.
PROOFREAD YOUR PAPERS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM. PAPERS WITH BASIC
ERRORS WILL BE RETURNED UNREAD, UNGRADED, AND COUNTED LATE. Take
advantage of the SU Writing Center in the Guerreri Center for help.
(For extra help, see my Writing Tips page.)
»» OPTIONS (pick only one of the following):
OPTION 1: discuss the evolving definition of "the Black
artist" from Phyllis Wheatley to Ralph Ellison. How did the definition
change from age to age, and from writer to writer? What new elements
does each successive definition add, and how does each definition differ
from the others before it?
OPTION 2: discuss whether we still see the
Washington-DuBois argument in African-American art and culture today.
Has the "bling vs. soul" argument carried through today? Or the
"equality eventually vs. equality now" argument? Outline and describe
Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois' argument, and then show
how/whether it still takes place today, and where.
OPTION 3: compare/contrast any one writer's work that we've
read so far this semester to any one current but "non-literary" form of
African-American expression. (What work of literature we've read and
what current "non-literary" work deal with similar subjects or themes?
In what ways do they deal with that subject similarly, and how
differently? Here, you're linking the past to the present.) Example
works to compare/contrast the literature to:
Aaron McGruder's Boondocks or other African American-written comic/graphic with social themes
African-American rap or hip-hop lyrics or album with social
themes -- but
pick and stay with one artist (Tupac Shakur, Sugar Hill Gang, Mos Def, Sister Souljah, Erykah Badu, etc.)
an African-American comedian's performance with a social message (Richard Pryor, Wanda Sykes, Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, etc.)
one work by a black visual artist, painter, sculptor (Betye
Saar, Jeff Donaldson, Henry Osawa Tanner, Aaron Douglas, Edmonia Lewis,
etc.).
Paper Due Wednesday March 29, to my office by 4 p.m. Do
not e-mail me your paper; I accept only hard copies
turned in on time. If you want to discuss your paper or topics with
me, please make an appointment for an office visit (344 Holloway).
Remember that failure to turn in either of the long papers will fail you
from the course.
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