3 page paper double spaced or english

ENG 120 - Critical Writing

Professor Heydt-Minor

Mini Paper #2: Cultural Literacy

In this mini paper you will explore the concept of "Canon" and "Cultural Literacy"

Part 1 (Introduction):

Define the concept of cultural literacy / the canon using Liu's essay.

( https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/07/what-every-american-should-know/397334/ )

You must include at least one quote or paraphrase, using MLA formatting. In your THESIS: explain why a shared cultural literacy / canon is essential.

Part 2:

Following Liu, give at least ten items that you believe must be included in the cultural canon. Explain why each item deserves a place on the list.

You may choose books, movies, TV shows, phrases, people, belief-systems, famous quotes, locations, historical events, memes, clothing, jokes, conspiracy theories, music, poetry, scientific discoveries, dialect, slang, symbols (other than the flag), signs, natural disasters, weapons, animals, plants, monuments, furniture, and many more.

You can choose anything to include in the canon as long as you can make a compelling case for it. Personal enjoyment is not sufficient.

You must explain why your choices belong in the cultural canon. DO NOT simply explain what they are. Ask yourself "why?" not "what?"

If you're having trouble choosing items, consider this quote from James Joyce: "I want to give a picture of Dublin so complete that if the city one day suddenly disappeared from the earth it could be reconstructed out of my book." (Substitute "USA" for "Dublin".)

NOTE: If you don't want to / can't write about the USA, write about a different country instead. (Discuss this with me first.)

OUTLINE:

PART 1 Define the concept of cultural literacy / the canon using Liu's essay Thesis (why is it valuable to have a shared cultural literacy / canon?)

page # of quote / paraphrase from Liu:

PART 2 Ten items that you believe must be included in the cultural canon: