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:

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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