1. EWRT
1B
Essay
#2
In his essay “Racial Segregation,” William Pickens asserts, "If passing for white will get
a fellow better accommodations on the train, better seats in the theatre, immunity from
insults in public places, and may even save his life from a mob, only idiots would fail to
seize the advantages of passing, at least occasionally if not permanently" (3)
Write an essay of four to six pages arguing for or against racial passing. Use support from
four of the texts we have read so far, our discussions, and your own insights. Remember
to format your essay in MLA style.
Ways to begin:
Think about the reasons for passing. Consider both the costs and benefits of passing;
Write a thesis based on your conclusions.
Find textual evidence to support your position. Use at least four sources from those we
read to support your argument. You can use outside sources if you would like to, but they
are not necessary for this paper. Explain how your examples support your thesis.
Think about how to present your counterargument. This is an anticipation of the
argument for the other side. Think about the reasons someone might use to argue against
you and respond to them each.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate competence in the writing process from invention and
prewriting through drafting, revision and final editing.
2. Students will develop a repertoire for analyzing and approaching writing tasks,
finding a subject and generating ideas for writing.
3. Students will examine reading and writing processes in relation to each other.
4. Students will gain experience in using the personal computer as a writing and
revising tool.
5. Students will recognize persona, purpose, and audience in writing and develop
essays that demonstrate unity and coherence and contain a clear controlling idea
(thesis), a strong introduction, sufficient supporting detail and a strong
conclusion.
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to use research strategies for specialized
assignments, employing the MLA citation format.
7. Students will demonstrate some ability in finding, analyzing, synthesizing
material from critical and popular print and electronic and other media into their
writing.