Composition

[REQUIRED] Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story” http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

National Congress of American Indians’ “Proud to Be” video –
https://youtu.be/Ot5dzuhINvw

Ohio University student ads, “We are a culture, not a costume”
http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/living/halloween-ethnic-costumes/

PROMPT:

After watching the above videos and considering, in particular, Adichie’s warning about the danger of a single story, think about an aspect of your

identity that is often misrepresented in an inaccurate or undignified way in pop culture or the media. Write a 3 – 5 page essay that explains why the

specific media image represents an aspect of your identity in an inaccurate way and educate your readers about the reality of your experience.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Select an ad, TV show, character, movie or other popular image that you feel doesn’t reflect an aspect of your identity in a dignified way and explain why.
Address your essay to a specific audience (i.e. the creators of that image OR your classmates). To the extent that it is helpful, try filing out this

Rhetorical Situation Form as a way to assess the needs of your audience in context.
ESSAY GOALS:
Educate readers (your chosen audience) about how limited media representations can create and support stereotypes that can dehumanize or make it more

difficult to see the inherent dignity and humanity of individuals.

Some things to consider as you brainstorm and prewrite:

What do you wish that people really knew about your identity?
What are some of the misconceptions that people have?
Why is it important for readers (your audience) to get a different perspective on this issue?
Why do you feel that this representation is undignified? Why does this matter to you?
ESSAY GUIDELINES:

3-5 pages, double-spaced
3-5 sources cited within the paper
you must use Adichie
you must include the source for your chosen image if one is provided
you can use the other background texts and/or reference additional credible sources
12 pt. font, 1” margins
MLA Format (style & documentation)
A specific title
ESSAY ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS:

A narrowed, focused topic with a clear thesis statement
Consider context and length (what to include and what not to include)
A clear application of the rhetorical situation, including the use of rhetorical appeals
A thorough review and understanding of all sources used (remember disciplinary thinking here)
A specific organizational scheme (Classical, Toulmin, Rogerian) – make intentional choices about what scheme to use (or how you will blend them together).