Considering
Forms of Resistance and Active Citizenship
Essay 2
“But they seem to know
where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.” – Ursula Le Guin,
“The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas”
Purpose:
This
essay asks you to consider the readings in terms of forms of resistance,
protest, and/or evolving self-definition.
I have chosen these essays because I believe they speak to a range of
possibilities in defining “active citizenship,” from the stark example of
communal happiness at the plight of an individual in “The Ones Who Walk Away
from Omelas” to the persuasive protest language of “Letter from Birmingham
Jail.” While the details for this
assignment follow below, the main purpose of this paper is to familiarize
yourself with these modes of resistance and apply them to a current example of
your own choosing. This type of analysis
and application will allow for synthesis of the qualities for active
citizenship you find most applicable in these situations.
Preparation and Research:
The
readings for this unit (as indicated on the schedule) are: Thoreau’s “Civil
Disobedience,” King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Le Guin’s “The Ones Who
Walk Away from Omelas,” Williams’ “The Clan of One-Breasted Women” and Curtis
White’s “The Spirit of Disobedience.”
For your essay you will choose one essay to explore the language that
the writer employs to demonstrate his/her form of resistance or protest. In addition, you will apply the essay’s
message(s) of “active citizenship” to your choice of issues. Research for this part of the paper means
that you will need to visit the library (we will visit as a class as well) to
look at books, newspaper articles, magazine articles or journal articles about
the examples you are exploring. For this
paper, websites and popular media should not be sources. You need at least 2 sources beyond the
reading.
Further Details:
As
the description above suggests, this essay has three major components. One component involves rhetorical analysis of
one essay. The purpose of this analysis
is to explain the writer’s form or resistance or method of active citizenship
through his/her use of language. We will
discuss rhetorical analysis in class and you may expect further handouts or
descriptions. Another component of this
paper is to apply each essay’s method of active citizenship to a current
topic. Choose an applicable yet original
example to study! An example (of an
example!) could be local; for example, there has been much discussion recently
about the lack of diversity on
Assignment |
Due Date |
Essay 2 proposal |
6.27 |
Peer Review for Essay 2
and Workshops |
6.29 |
Essay 2 due |
7.5 |
The
formatting guidelines for this paper include following MLA guidelines for citations,
a minimum of five full pages, double-spaced, typed, ‘normal’ margins (1” –
1.25”), TNR font, and a header. The
header should include your name, my name, class and section #, and the date. The upper right corner of the header should
include your last name and page #.
Remember to also include your title and a Works Cited. As usual, we will discuss these guidelines in
class and add onto our knowledge of citation methods.
In addition to the “grading criteria” located
in Writing at UK, the following may
help as you work from the draft stage to the final copy stage.
Content/Organization
Is
your introduction effective—does it grab my attention?
Do
you have a clear thesis with a specific focus and argument?
Do
your paragraphs address and develop your thesis?
Are
your transitions effective between paragraphs and sentences?
Do
you come up with effective examples to support your points?
Do
you utilize topic sentences?
Do
you stay focused?
If
applicable, do you address another point of view?
Does
your conclusion answer the question, “so what?”
Does
your paper as a whole show a thoughtful analysis of the assigned topic?
Style/Mechanics
Is
your style appropriate for your audience?
Are
your sentences varied in length and structure?
Do
you write with active, vigorous verbs?
Are
your ideas clearly expressed through refined word choices and syntax?
When
occasion merits, do you write descriptively with concrete images?
Do
you try to use metaphor and simile to enhance your points?
Mechanics/Conventions
Is
your paper spell-checked?
Is
your paper free from reoccurring grammatical errors?
Do
you cite your sources correctly (both in-text and on a works cited page)?
Does
your paper have a title?
Do
you place your last name and page number on the upper right margin of each
page?