Social Responsibilty

Background: In the first unit, we focused our attention on the components of a good story. In this unit, we will shift our lens on the responsibility of authors in addressing current events. The authors in this unit use their platform to raise awareness of social ills. This raises the question do authors (poets, novelist, playwrights, essayists, etc) have a responsibility to society? Should they use their talents to voice public concerns? Some folks have stated that authors should not feel obligated to address controversial issues, especially if they cannot speak directly to the problems. As you worked your way through the module, you have analyzed the readings by selecting passages to discuss. You have written short responses in classroom forums to formulate your own ideas on the topic.

Readings:

• Let America Be America Again
• If We Must Die

Task:

To what extent do you think authors have a responsibility to speak of the social ills of the times? Select one of the authors we have read to take a position, and address the controversial topic(s) within the text.

Minimum Requirements:

• The essay contains a thesis statement that gives the readers a clear idea of what you are critiquing.
• The essay contains a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• The essay supports your argument with appropriate quotes and paraphrases the authors ideas.
• Proofread, making sure that grammar errors dont interfere with readability and comprehension and attempt to use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
• Write a final draft to develop a strong essay (4-5 pages), follow the standard MLA formatting guidelines.

An A paper will meet all the minimum requirements AND

• The essay presents your opinions that go beyond stating the obvious or summarizing class discussion
• The essay uses multiple pieces of evidence from the assigned readings, and outside research
• The essay clearly guides readers through your thought process with topic sentences and transitional phrases
• Present your opinions in a formal academic style (utilizing subordinating and coordinating conjunctions and semicolons that read smoothly and connect ideas clearly)

• https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/147907/let-america-be-america-again
• https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44694/if-we-must-die