essay 2

Importance of explicit thesis statements in writing.
- Thesis statements should incorporate critical thinking.
- Paragraphs should reflect critical analysis as well.
The consideration of audience in rhetorical situations.
- Audience's expectation for critical thinking in personal narratives.
Focus of upcoming classes.
- Writing-heavy sessions to transition from memoir writing to formal academic writing.
- Carrying concepts from personal narratives to academic writing.

Essay Prompt: Compare and contrast how language shapes perception of identity, power, and belonging.
Key Texts to Analyze:
- Malcolm X: Awareness of language's impact.
- Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue": Exploration of personal narrative and language.
- Ida Harris: Code-switching for survival in culture.
- Lira Boroditsky's TED Talk: Theoretical insights on language and thought.
- Noted as the most theoretical piece among the texts.
Purpose of the texts:
- Examines connection of language to identity and culture.
- Clarifies how language reflects and shapes cultural perceptions.

Length: 3-4 pages.
Sources: Use at least two assigned readings.
Format: MLA or APA; follow specific guidelines for citations and works cited/references pages.
- Emphasis on integrating quotes effectively within the essay.

Task Goals: Develop a clear, arguable thesis that answers the prompt on how language shapes identity or power.
Suggested focus areas:
- Identity
- Power
- Belonging
Encouragement to pursue personal insights and themes from discussions and readings.

Use quotes and examples to support arguments.
Analyze authors' experiences, tone, and rhetorical choices.
Avoid summary; aim for deeper analysis and assessment.
Utilize guiding questions for developing critical perspectives.
- Examples of guiding questions:
- How do authors connect language to power, respect, or credibility?
- What influences do dialects have on judgments of speakers?
- How do the authors redefine proper language?

Importance of developing refined thesis statements and essay organization.
Addressing thesis clarity and paragraph development standards:
- Each paragraph should serve a specific purpose in advancing the essay.
- Connection of quotes to the topic to maintain essay movement.
Academic writing conventions and avoiding common pitfalls (grammar issues).

Due Topics: Topics to be submitted in class on Friday.
- Stress the importance of topic selection for overall paper quality.
Thesis Statement: Bring a working thesis statement to class on Monday.
Shitty First Draft: Due next Friday; aims to emphasize progress and iteration in writing.
Final Draft: Due two weeks from the first draft due date.

Flexibility in using up to two readings from the four listed in the prompt, plus additional relevant sources as optional.
Expectations around integrating personal reflections and connections to class discussions in essays.
Emphasis on the objectivity in writing—avoid first-person perspective.
- Encourage grounding arguments in researched evidence.

Importance of class time for workshops on topic choices and thesis development.
Engagement in critical thinking about overlaps and contrasts between texts.
- Focus on how different narratives converse with each other.
Plans to explore detailed development of academic paragraphs and effective writing strategies.

Encouragement for students to prepare and engage with classmates during workshops.
Reminder to reflect on thematic connections and turnaround thoughts into structured essays.
Enthusiastic closing in consideration of relaxing after intensive discussion and planning sessions.