COCF Week 15 A Curious Case of the New Black A Conversation Paper

Writing Prompt:

For your final paper, I would like you to respond to the essay assigned for Week 15: “A Curious Case of the ‘New Black’: A Conversation.” (Links to an external site.) Gawker, October 2014.

Please address the following: What do you think about the concept “new black”? In relation to our course, how do you think this idea fits with the goals of black people in the African diaspora? Does the emergence of “new black” indicate that black people have achieved full citizenship? What historical changes, if any, permit the possibility of this concept? Can the “new black” apply to black people throughout the African diaspora, or just in the United States? Does race still matter in the 21st century?

Word Count: 1000 words, minimum

citation include in text and in the reference page

Goal:
The goal of this assignment is for you to present your position on this current, real-world topic within the context of our course. Meaning, you must clearly state your opinion and then make a fact-based case to back up your position.

Process Writing:

This assignment treats writing as a recursive process, meaning students will develop the essay in several steps including: prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing. You will submit three assignments, all due by July 18 but you can submit them in stages:

– Thesis statement
– Outline
– Final essay

Part 1: Thesis:

The thesis statement is worth 2.5 points (out of 25). You will submit the thesis statement and it will appear in your essay.

Your thesis statement should:
• Provide a persuasive, crystal clear argument
• Not merely restate the question and offer a brief response
• Answer the specific central questions asked

Part 2: Outline:
Your outline is worth 2.5 points (out of 25).

Your outline should include an overview of the main elements your essay will contain: argument, introduction, main points of the body of the essay, and conclusion.

Part 3: Essay:
The essay is worth 20 points (out of 25).
Essays will be graded based primarily on the following questions:

• Does your essay have a central argument?
• How well organized is your paper? Does it revolve around one central argument?
• How interesting, persuasive, and sophisticated is the argument and the analysis that leads to it?
• Is your writing clear and concise?

Essay Rubric:

Category	Goal	Points Possible
Thesis	• Provides a persuasive, crystal clear argument • Does not merely restate the question and offer a brief response • Answers the specific central questions asked	2.5
Evidence	• References lectures, including (if applicable) video clips • References readings • Provides several, specific examples • Answers all parts of the question as fully as possible	5
Analysis	• The essay provides the student’s analysis (does not simply repeat the lectures/ readings)	10
Organization	• Maintains focus/avoids being sidetracked by tangents • Presents all information clearly and concisely and in an organized manner • Avoids distracting grammar/spelling/etc. problems	2.5

Writing Tips:
• Argument: Your first paragraph must contain your essay’s central argument. You might consider underlining this argument, so that it is crystal clear.

• Clarity and Organization: Once you’ve settled on a central argument, be sure that you organize your paper around it and cut out any word, phrase, sentence, or paragraph that doesn’t advance it.

• Evidence: In building the case for your argument, be sure to cite numerous, specific examples. Please use parenthetic citations: (Gomez, 104). For lecture notes, you can write my name and the date: (Lahey, September 13). Please include a bibliography. You will not be graded on the formatting of these citations; just make it clear what source you’re citing.

• Analysis: Sophisticated, nuanced arguments are best. So do not ignore evidence that doesn’t quite fit your thesis. Instead, try to tweak your thesis to accommodate this conflicting evidence; or briefly mention this evidence and then explain why it is perhaps an exception to the general rule or argument you’re laying out.

• Writing tone and style: This paper, unlike your weekly responses, must be scholarly in tone. For example, do not use “I” or contractions such as “don’t.” In terms of style, focus most intently on being clear and concise; creativity is less important for this assignment.