Writer’s choice

This essay is for my ENGLISH 1A class, if you have any questions feel free to contact me. Thank you. GUIDELINE – Essay 4 Guidelines: Research Interrogating the Power of Stories “I write because I truly believe in the impact of what art can do in lives and to help a very troubled world” – Tommy Orange. “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter” – Chinua Achebe. DUE DATES: May Topic Proposal May Annotated Works Cited May Rough Draft May Final Draft This semester we have read stories that challenge the narratives of an oppressor’s perspective. In Things Fall Apart, we have read fiction as a counter-narrative to traditional history and Western accounts of colonialism. With There, There we have discussed the role of stories to challenge stereotypes. We have evaluated the effectiveness of these stories to humanize a group of people. For this final essay, you will choose a work of art / story and investigate the ways in which it engages with oppressive narratives (stereotypes). Choose one of the works of art / stories listed below. Each of these is written or performed by a member of a group that faces bias/stereotyping from others. PROMPT: In your essay, analyze how this work of art offers an alternative to the disempowering and biased stories that are often told about this group. ARTWORK IVE CHOSE – Lin Manuel Miranda – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)”: https://youtu.be/6_35a7sn6ds GUIDING QUESTIONS: Hint – use the answers you find to these questions to build the components of your essay. Describe the artwork and its “message.” What was the artist trying to do with this piece? Who is the intended audience and what did the artist hope to achieve with that audience? Use your research to find out about the artist’s intention (e.g., interviews, statements the artist made, texts the artist wrote). What social issues is the artist’s work connected to? Use your research to connect this piece of art to the issues faced by this group in society. What do you think is empowering about this art/story? How is it different from the “single stories” that are often told? Does it “humanize” the group represented – if so, how? How can art be used to help address social injustice? Do you think the work you chose is an effective/powerful way to fight bias/injustice? Why or why not? Notice the difference: The LGBTQ+ community has suffered a lot of prejudice and hate but should be treated with dignity and granted equality. Vs. “The Village” Breaks the preconceived ideas and stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community by sending a message of self-worth to the listener. *Your thesis should name the art work, the issue it addresses, and your opinion about how effectively / how it does this. 2. Body Paragraphs Please address each of these points in your body paragraphs. You could write 1-3 paragraphs on each point as you think is relevant: Describe the artwork and its “message.” What was the artist trying to do with this piece? Who is the intended audience and what did the artist hope to achieve with that audience? Use your research to find out about the artist’s intention (e.g., interviews, statements the artist made, texts the artist wrote). What social issues is the artist’s work connected to? Use your research to connect this piece of art to the issues faced by this group in society. What do you think is empowering about this art/story? How is it different from the “single stories” that are often told? Does it “humanize” the group represented – if so, how? How can art be used to help address social injustice? Do you think the work you chose is an effective/powerful way to fight bias/injustice? Why or why not? 3. Conclusion Possible ways to close your essay: Return to an anecdote in the introduction. Where to from here? What still needs to happen? Can art really change the world? Why does this matter?