The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Inquiry Essays (20%) In these essays, you will answer a Big Question for one piece of literature To avoid overlapping with other assignments, choose a literary text that is from the particular unit we’ve been covering.
Choose a different big question to answer for each of the inquiry essays no repeating the same topic. Keep in mind that these texts, so don’t waste time and space writing a summary; the word “summary” never appears in the instructions below. Instead, focus on arguing for your answer and analyzing the text.
Your inquiry essays should be 400-500 words. The essays should be posted to the correct folder . Each inquiry essay is out of 10 points (see below).
Follow these steps to complete the essay:
1. Pick one of the Big Questions (see below) to answer in relation to one of the literary texts (not How to Read).
2. Write a short introduction that identifies the text you’re writing about and answers the question in a nice, clear sentence that works as your thesis. Your thesis which should be the last sentence of the introduction in these essays needs to make sense, and the question you’re answering needs to be clear. (2 points)
3. Write two body paragraphs that support your answer. Each paragraph should have one direct quotation from the text (1 point) and an explanation of what that quote means, including how it supports your answer (1 point) This is analysis, and it’s important! (4 points total for the body)
4. Write a short conclusion paragraph that relates your two body paragraphs together and ties back into the thesis. (1 point)
Doing all of these components will get you 7/10 points or a C (average, meaning you met the requirements). The three remaining possible points are for accuracy, creativity, and good writing
Big Questions
How does the text imagine national identity and/or ideas of American-ness? How are women represented in the text?
How does the text agine manhood and/or masculinity? How does race work in the text?
How do people in the text try gain power? How does the text address inequality?
How does the text, or someone in it, work to create unity?
How does the text, or someone in it, work to claim equality?
What’s the relationship between the individual and the community?
