Update: Process for writing the analytical essay

APers,

So: a complete draft of your comparative rhetorical analysis essay is due five days from now, which means it's a good time to create a plan so we don't get too overwhelmed with the task. I've tried to embed a bit of a plan in our two-day discuss of the two readings; the madness behind the method. (Or, is it the other way around? We'll ask Polonius, a character in Hamlet, next term.)

O.K. Here's what we've done so far:

First, you analyzed the prompt. Here's a summary of what we have said about the prompt so far: We're going to compare and contrast the ways Kincaid and Baldwin use rhetorical strategies to convey their complex reactions to ethnocentrism and cultural hegemony. We should be pretty comfortable with that vocabulary now, which means we should have an ability to use those words and synonyms when we write our essay. (If you're not sure what the prompt is asking, make sure you get clarity tomorrow. Be resourceful. Underline key phrases. Look up words you're not sure about the meaning of. Use the notes that are part of the prompt. Ask questions.

Then, we read and annotated the personal essays with the prompt in mind.

Discussion: Through reading and discussion we developed ideas about the effects of ethnocentrism/cultural hegemony/racism/injustice/oppression and responses to those effects. We examined how the writers use particular strategies to convey the complex effects and evolving responses.



Beginning to plan: At the end of class on Wednesday, you wrote down what you saw as James Baldwin's evolving response to the complex effects of ethnocentrism/cultural hegemony/racism/injustice/oppression. Then, you wrote down very particular strategies he uses to convey that responses. We reviewed and deepened these ideas in the first half of class on Thursday.

More discussion: In the second half of class, we discussed Kincaid's evolving response and some strategies she uses to convey her response; we also suggested a few areas of comparison between the two essays.

Here's what we need to do next:
More planning: At the end of class on Thursday, we didn't have time to write down our thoughts about Jamaica Kincaid's evolving response to the complex effects of ethnocentrism/cultural hegemony/racism/injustice/oppression on her life. And we didn't have time to write down very particular strategies she uses to convey that responses. Do this tonight (Thursday night)!!!!!!!

Even more planning: Then, take a look at what you've written down about the two responses and the two sets of strategies used to convey the responses. Go back and forth between the two: what meaningful similarities and what meaningful differences do you see?  Do this tonight too.

In class tomorrow we'll start with your thoughts about Kincaid's response and strategies & your thoughts about similarities and differences between the responses and strategies in the two essays.

Last bit of planning and finally writing: Then, we'll make sure we leave class knowing at least two different ways of creating a "shuttle" (back and forth) organization with plenty of well-chosen, well-explained support for our comparison of the two essays and knowing how to write an effective "big idea" introduction and conclusion (of the type we looked at in a student essay earlier in the week) with a thesis that addresses the prompt.





Then, you'll be on your own between Friday after class and class time on Tuesday to work on your draft. (12-point font with serifs, double-spaced, 1200 to 3000 words or so)

O.K. See you tomorrow. Please come prepared.

all the best,
Mr. James Cook
English
GHS