Everything I Never Told You by: Celeste Ng
Paper one option
Final Paper Assignment – ENG 300 — Schwartz
Due May 12 in Turnitin
As discussed and decided in class, you will have a choice of 2 approaches to this final paper. General instructions for both will be the same and are as follows:
1) The paper should be in MLA format including citations page.
2) The paper should run approximately 7 pages (no more than 9) not including the citation page. 3) You will need to cite scholarly articles (review your notes from our library visit on definition) to help you make a rich and interesting argument.
4) We will spend time over the last two classes doing some basic workshop work.
5) If you are having difficulties finding an appropriate subject or topic, you should contact me ASAP, so you don’t waste time spinning your wheels!!!
6) I prefer that you choose a text/author/character we have read this semester, however, if this doesn’t work for you, contact me with your suggestions and I’ll see if they work.
7) Please do NOT write about something you’ve already written in another class or in our class unless you’ve received my express permission!
Paper option 1
For this paper, you will be examining how authors from marginalized groups give full voice to characters of marginalized groups in the face of long-existing stereotypes engrained in the literature by primarily white writers. You will need to stay very specific and focused to prevent this from becoming too big a project for the pages.
This essay will require you to select examples (2 or 3) of marginalized characters written by authors from marginalized groups and from non-marginalized groups (not 2 or 3 each – that would be too many). Since this is only a 7-page paper, you will have to argue that you are bringing what may be representative examples (I suggest at least 1 writer of each group and 1 character from each text). Do not say all white/etc. writers always write this way: There is simply no way to support such a claim.
Your analysis of the writing should begin with the non-marginalized groups as an example of the problem you are analyzing (perhaps a 1/3 of the paper but no more). The rest should be dedicated to the marginalized authors’ writings. Be very specific, using explication and close reading but not forgetting that ALL of the theories we have studied have their applications here, so you are not limited. Please do NOT tell me what theories you’re using, just go for it!
A sample template for a possible paper:
Contemporary literature has many examples of characters from Roma backgrounds 2 written by non-Roma authors. These have generally been presented as shifty, unreliable, and criminal characters with arcane and bizarre cultural behaviors. They are cast either as villains or victims of modern society who cannot fit in. However, this simplistic stereotype does an injustice to the voices and realities of the Roma people. In an attempt to correct misconceptions and humanize a misunderstood and often hated minority, Roma writers (like x,y,z) have begun writing (this depends on when it started and I have no date on the Rom) texts that correct these stereotypes (methods/strategies they use) and may help improve treatment and understanding of this marginalized group.