Analytic essay

Introduction to African American Studies, AAS/ANT 112

Fall 2016

J. Bryant: [email protected]

Analytic Essay Assignment

DUE: Friday, November 4th, 8:00 p.m. via Blackboard. I will not accept late papers.

DIRECTIONS: Write a four-page essay based on the scenario described below. All papers must be typed

and double-spaced with normal margins and fonts. Provide a title that conveys your position. Use

accurate citations for quotations. Ask me to explain any portions of the assignment that are unclear. Feel

free to discuss preliminary ideas or drafts with me.

SCENARIO

Cultural theorist Margaret Blair delivered a speech entitled, “Africa Within,” at a recent conference of the

Africana Studies Association. She concluded it with the following observations about the identities of

people enslaved as a result of the slave trade to North America:

We cannot truly understand such peoples without appreciating their enduring African identities.

The shared trauma of enslavement by Europeans sustained their identification with other Africans.

The ongoing practice of African traditions kept their ties to continental cultures alive. This

double-faceted Africa-centered consciousness remained undiminished despite the adaptations that

slavery required.

The editor of the (fictional) journal, Diaspora, has invited you to submit a guest editorial that assesses the

historical validity of Ms. Blair’s commentary. Explain your agreement and/or disagreement with her

claims using concrete evidence from assigned readings, lectures, and discussions related to Equiano,

Sierra Leone, Liberia, and slave resistance. You should not do additional reading or research for this

paper.

Introduction to African American Studies, AAS/ANT 112

J. Bryant, Fall 2016

TA: _____________________________ ______________________________

Student Name

Analytic Essay Evaluation Sheet: The criteria for evaluating this essay are defined in the course

syllabus. They include accuracy, comprehensiveness, conceptual and stylistic clarity, and the degree to

which the essay develops and substantiates arguments.

ARGUMENT:

To what extent does the essay delineate clear arguments in assessing the validity of Blair’s claims?

Excellent: Explicit arguments directly engage all of Blair’s claims. _____

Good: Clear arguments relate to Blair’s overall position. _____

Adequate: Arguments are vague but appear relevant to Blair’s general views. _____

Poor: Arguments lack clarity and/or do not relate to Blair’s position. _____

Explanation: ___________________________________________________________________

EVIDENCE:

To what extent does the essay present accurate and concrete evidence from course materials to

substantiate arguments about Blair’s claims?

Excellent: Accurate, concrete, and comprehensive examples substantiate arguments. _____

Good: Accurate explanations of select relevant examples substantiate arguments. _____

Adequate: Unexplained references to potentially relevant evidence support arguments. ____

Poor: Evidence is limited, vague, incorrect, and/or fails to support arguments. _____

Explanation: ___________________________________________________________________

STRUCTURE:

How logical is the organization of the essay? How clear is the writing style?

Excellent: Essay has a clear introduction, analysis, and conclusion and solid grammar._____

Good: Essay’s solid analysis needs clearer introduction, conclusion, and/or grammar.____

Adequate: Structure and grammar are muddled, but essay links arguments to examples. _____

Poor: Unclear structure, introduction, conclusion, and grammar confuse the analysis.____

Explanation: ___________________________________________________________________

SUPPLEMENTARY COMMENTS

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GRADE: