Use your own research, at least two texts from our class, and your own experience/observations as
evidence for your reasoning.
Prewriting ideas and questions to assist in developing your argument:
● When considering how identity can affect one’s educational journey, think of gender, sex, culture,
social class, individual characteristics, family dynamics, and parent’s education level, and how
those can affect their identity and therefore one’s preparation and attitude.
● How does Claude Steele’s concept of identity contingencies and stereotype threat play into your
experience in college; choice of major; performance in certain subjects; success, and people’s
perceptions of you?
● How does being a first-generation college student affect one’s success/attitude in their education?
How does having college-educated parents affect one’s success/attitude in their education
(Banks-Santilli)? “The Unique Challenges of First Generation Students””The Unique Challenges of First Generation Students”
● How can an educational journey affect identity? Does it change a way of thinking? Consider how
Richard Rodriguez’s educational journey affected his identity in “Achievement of Desire.”
● Does education necessarily estrange us from our background, friends, family, culture, etc.? Does
education shape or create a new identity? What universal truth does his essay reveal?
(Rodriguez)?”Achievement of Desire””Achievement of Desire”
● How can Yosso’s Cultural Wealth model be a source of strength and success? In other words, how
can one’s identity (background and culture) be leveraged for achievement?
● How do stereotypes create fixed mindsets? This can be answered in Carol Dwek’s essay,
“BrainologyUse your own research, at least two texts from our class, and your own experience/observations as
evidence for your reasoning.
Prewriting ideas and questions to assist in developing your argument:
● When considering how identity can affect one’s educational journey, think of gender, sex, culture,
social class, individual characteristics, family dynamics, and parent’s education level, and how
those can affect their identity and therefore one’s preparation and attitude.
● How does Claude Steele’s concept of identity contingencies and stereotype threat play into your
experience in college; choice of major; performance in certain subjects; success, and people’s
perceptions of you? Claude Steele’s excerpt from Whistling Vivaldi Claude Steele’s excerpt from Whistling Vivaldi (CH 1)
● How does being a first-generation college student affect one’s success/attitude in their education?
How does having college-educated parents affect one’s success/attitude in their education
(Banks-Santilli)?
● How can an educational journey affect identity? Does it change a way of thinking? Consider how
Richard Rodriguez’s educational journey affected his identity in “Achievement of Desire.”
● Does education necessarily estrange us from our background, friends, family, culture, etc.? Does
education shape or create a new identity? What universal truth does his essay reveal?
(Rodriguez)?
● How can Yosso’s Cultural Wealth model be a source of strength and success? In other words, how
can one’s identity (background and culture) be leveraged for achievement?
● How do stereotypes create fixed mindsets? This can be answered in Carol Dwek’s essay,
“Brainology