Identity Essay Assignment Process

Identity Essay Assignment Process

Identity Essay:

In Packer’s “Drinking
Coffee Elsewhere,”

how do stereotypes and
single stories

affect Dina’s freedom
to be her authentic self?

English

Dina seems to struggle with her economic class, her race, and her sexuality in
the story “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere.” Because all of these elements affect her
identity, she seems to have trouble figuring out how to be her “authentic
self.” In the sources you have viewed and read in this module, authors have
discussed the concept of “single story,” and stereotype. Before drafting the essay, think about the
following ideas:

Review and Consider the Identity Sources:

In
ZZ Packer’s “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,” Dina struggles to figure out how to be
her authentic self. In Chimamanda Adichie’s TEDTalk, she discusses the dangers
of stereotypes and what she calls “single stories” that are perpetuated about
groups of people. Mariam Thalos discusses the connection between identity and
freedom and claims that freedom is the result of self-conceptual acts that
often defy social norms and oppressive systems. Nicolas Geeraert points out
that the origins of psychology focus primarily on Western culture, and calls
for a cross-cultural approach that examines the effects of culture on the
shaping of our mental processes. Annie Paul writes about unconscious bias and
explains why people create stereotypes. Claude Steele discusses the term
“stereotype threat” which affects individuals who are members of stereotyped
groups and cultures.

Review and Consider the Identity Essential Questions:

What is the impact of an
individual’s culture and identity on their position in society?

Does the opportunity for
freedom exist for all cultures and identities, or is the opportunity more
limited for some cultures and identities?

Do stereotypes about
communities or cultures affect our freedom to cultivate an authentic
personal identity?

Writing Prompt

In “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,” Dina is having an identity
crisis. Consider unconscious stereotype and single story, as discussed in
Identity sources. Which stereotypes about her culture or community affect
Dina’s freedom to be her “authentic self?” Write a 5-7 paragraph essay to
answer this question.

Paragraph Planner

*In
your opening, identify the title and author of the anchor text, “Drinking
Coffee.” Identify which stereotypes or other module concepts affect her freedom
to be herself. Use key terms from the module, and identify THREE FACTORS that
affect her freedom to be herself

*In
your body paragraphs, cite from the anchor text, “Drinking Coffee
Elsewhere.” Additionally, cite from at least ONE assigned video and TWO other
assigned, written sources. Use notes from the course web links to correctly
cite and integrate your sources using MLA documentation

*In
your conclusion, discuss what we can do to overcome stereotype threat and
single storying in our country

*Throughout,
summarize and cite key definitions (single stories, stereotype threat,
unconscious bias, etc.) when they are used in your paragraphs

*Use
“Drinking Coffee” as your main source; Incorporate at least three sources
from the module to support your argument (One video source and Two written
sources, as summarized above)

Other Criteria

Audience: Write for an audience that is
not in this class. That means you’ll need to spend some time summarizing key
ideas, defining any terms that might be unfamiliar, choosing short quotes from
the reading selections to help your reader get a sense of the authors’
arguments.

Length: 5-7 paragraphs (750-1000) words

Requirements:

·
Include an original title (not “Module Two Essay”
or “Identity Essay”)

·
Use MLA Style to format your essay

·
Compose a thesis statement that directly addresses the
essay question

·
Organize the essay so that each body paragraph provides
support for your thesis; make sure each body paragraph contains a CLEAR TOPIC
SENTENCE with KEY WORDS from your thesis

·
Source requirements: Cite all sources using MLA style
in-text citations

o
Base your essay on the main character, Dina, in Drinking
Coffee Elsewhere- This is your anchor source

o
In addition, Integrate at least ONE video source and TWO
other written sources from the module

o
You will be citing a total of FOUR SOURCES (see the
criteria above)

·
Include an MLA style Works Cited page at the end of the
essay (not included in 3-4 pages of text); use www.easybib.com to cite help
formulate your Works Cited page