Rhetorical Analysis (4 PAGES)

Baldwin’s “Stranger in the Village” recounts the author’s experiences visiting a small Swiss hamlet.  Beyond merely reporting upon the occurrences, Baldwin explores critically how the novelty of a black man in an all white town reflects not only the attitudes of the citizenship, but of the world altogether.  The essay explores issues of race and diversity moving from the personal to the universal (Baldwin speaks in absolutes—thus his experiences define the experiences of all African-Americans).  Consider how Baldwin makes the transition from personal to universal. 

Assignment:  Critically evaluate the accuracy and delivery of Baldwin’s views.  That is, examine, explain, and dissect Baldwin’s estimation of racial estrangement in the world.  How accurate are his claims?  Are his arguments supported?  What is his main thesis?  How well does he establish and support this thesis?  Comment on the applicability of his title.  What about Baldwin’s world aligns with the world of today?  Where have advances been made?  How different are attitudes today about “strangers”?  (Refer to Practical Argument chapters 1-3 for further guidelines)   

• 5-7 typed pages
• 1” margins
• double-spaced
• adhere to MLA standards for academic papers
• Demonstrate a sophistication of writing i.e. an understanding of organization, punctuation, grammar mechanics, as well as Standard English.
• Any and all references are properly annotated both in-text and on a separate works cited page.
• Clearly illustrate an advanced understanding of the reference text.