Choose ONE (1) of the essay questions below to answer.
• Compare how 4 different texts in each essay–books, films, individual poems, or plays–deal with the theme
• For each question you answer, at least one text you discuss must be Assata or Soledad. The other texts can be anything that’s been on the syllabus. For example, individual poems from Pietri and Piñero that we didn’t cover in class are allowed.
• Different poems in the same book count as different texts. For instance, 2 different poems from Pietri or Piñero count as separate “texts.”
For instance, you could compare Soledad, Bodega Dreams, Dutchman, and “A Lower East Side Poem” or Assata, Do The Right Thing, “Puerto Rican Obituary,” and Short Eyes.
Length: This is designed to be an at home exam, not a paper. You should be able to complete it in around three hours. Shoot for about 750-1000 words. The best essays will be around 4 pages in length with introductions, conclusions, and well-developed paragraphs discussing each book/ play/ poem/ film discussed.
Rules
This will be done on the honor system. You can use any assigned class materials: books, essays, films, my lecture notes, your own notes the course website, etc. You cannot use outside help, including (but not limited to) classmates, Google searches, or anyone else. It should be done by yourself.
You can use writing center tutoring for help composing/ organizing ideas in your paper and are encouraged to do so. they’ll help with the structure of your essay only. Details at their website.
Plagiarism (copying/pasting from online/other sources) is not allowed. Just do the work yourself and do your best. Please don’t make me submit reports to Student Affairs.
I’m looking for the following. Does your essay:
• Answer the question asked. Meaning, do you actually focus on how the specific texts you chose deal with the theme in your chosen essay
• Do you use specific examples from the text. Extended quotes are unnecessary, but you should be able to point to places in the text where we see commentary on the theme
• Do you expand on/ explain the examples? In other words, don’t just give a quote: explain how the quote or specific scene you choose shows how the book, poem, film, or play deals with the theme and what it says about it
Essay prompts: choose one of the following to answer
Option 1:
A common theme this semester has been how borders and boundaries affect city life for characters in stories. In a well-developed essay, discuss how characters navigate borders or boundaries (either real or imagined) are affected by them, and what the results are in 4 different texts that you’ve listened to, read, or watched for class. For full credit, use specific examples from the text and fully explain how the examples support your points.
Option 2:
One recurring theme this semester has been assimilation and resistance to assimilation and how it impacts characters in the city. In a well-developed essay, identify how characters try to assimilate into society or resist assimilation and how that affects the urban experience for them in 4 different texts that you’ve listened to, watched, or read for class. For full credit, use specific examples from the text and fully explain how the examples support your points.
Option 3:
A common theme has been how dealing with trauma shapes the lives of characters in the city. In a well-developed essay, discuss how the theme of trauma affects city life in 4 different texts that you’ve listened to, watched, or read for class. For full credit, use specific examples from the texts and fully explain how the examples support your points.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|