Social Issues Essay: What is the texts position on Issue X?
All students will choose a social issue and write an original 900-1000-word literary argument regarding what position(s) a primary source–specifically a short story–takes on a social issue. According to “Using Primary Sources (Links to an external site.),” published by the Library of Congress, primary sources are “the raw materials of history–original documents and objects which were created at the time under study.” See the Project One Topic Bank below for suggestions and possibilities.
The essay should also address how an authors use of a formal literary element helps readers explore this social issue. Although the essay should describe and analyze the literary texts position(s) on a social issue, the essay should primarily argue for what position that text takes on a social issue.
For example, in your view, how does the use of character, setting, plot, and/or point of view in Richard Wrights Big Black Good Man reveal a position (or varying positions) on racism? Does the text ultimately condone or criticize racism? Alternatively, does the text present opposing views?
