5. “Sticks and Stones and Sports Teams Names” by Richard Estrada
Answer these questions:
1. How does Estrada present his issue? Is it focused? How?
2. What is his position? Where is his thesis? Is it clear?
3. What are his plausible reasons for his position? Does he use statistics,
authorities, or anecdotes for support? Where?
4. Consider what each of the following elements contributes to the story
Estrada is trying to tell about bullying:
--the title
--Estrada’s remembered experience of being upset by the name “the
Washington Redskins” (par. 1–2)
--the anecdote about the Native American father upset about the practice at his
son’s school of celebrating Braves’ victories with Indian costumes and
tomahawk chops (par. 8)
5. Notice that in paragraphs 11–13, Estrada offers hypothetical examples of
team names for ethnic groups. How do these examples support Estrada’s
position?
6. THE BASIC FEATURES: ARGUING POSITIONS
1. A Focused Presentation of
the Issue
2. A Clear Position
3. Plausible Reasons and
Convincing Support
4. Anticipating Opposing
Positions and Objections
11. ESSAY #3: ARGUING A POSITION: AN IN-CLASS ESSAY: PASS/NO PASS
Identify a character in The Chamber of Secrets or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban who is
marginalized in some way. Explain how the character is marginalized and provide examples of the
marginalization using quotes from the book or other sources we have read that discuss
marginalization. Then, argue the following:
1. Explain how the character is marginalized and provide examples of the marginalization using
quotes from the novel or novels.
2. Then discuss ways in which the character responds to the marginalization that you see as
productive or unproductive and why.
3. Finally, extend your insights to contemporary society; how does this character’s marginalization
compare to others you see who are also marginalized?
• Your final essay should be a minimum of six paragraphs (should be between 750-1000 words):
introduction, at least three well-developed support body paragraphs, a counterargument, and a
conclusion. You will need at least three outside sources for this essay --two of them must be other
than Harry Potter novels. You may include these quotations in your outline.
•
12. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Primary and outside sources:
Your primary sources are the novels, The Chamber of Secrets and The Prisoner of
Azkaban. You may also use an example or quotation from the film The Sorcerer’s Stone if it
helps you make your argument. Regardless of which source you use, this essay requires at
least three direct quotations from the novels or film.
Your essay should also include at least one quotation from two different marginalization
articles that we read for this unit. You may, of course, include all of the quotations in your
outline.
See the complete assignment under “Assignments” and “Essay #3”
14. WHAT IS THIS ESSAY ABOUT?
• What is the
main argument?
• How do you
know?
• What are the
consequences?
• Do you see
examples to
support the
argument?
• What are they?
15. WHAT IS “MARGINALIZATION”?
• What does it mean to be
marginalized?
• “margins”: what are they?
• Who can be marginalized?
Why?
• How does it feel to be
marginalized?
• Why is marginalization a bad
thing?
16. WHAT IS MARGINALIZATION?
Marginalization is the process of pushing a particular group or groups of
people to the edge of society by not allowing them an active voice, identity,
or place in it. Through both direct and indirect processes, marginalized
groups may be relegated to a secondary position or made to feel as if they
are less important than those who hold more power or privilege in society.
People from marginalized groups can be the target of negative beliefs,
behaviors, or judgements from others. Individuals and groups can be
marginalized on the basis of multiple aspects of their identity, including but
not limited to: race, gender or gender identity, ability, sexual orientation,
socioeconomic status, sexuality, age, and/or religion. Some individuals
identify with multiple marginalized groups, and may experience further
marginalization as a result of their intersecting identities.
17. WHICH CHARACTERS DO YOU SEE AS MARGINALIZED?
• Harry Potter
• Ron Weasley
• Hermione Granger
• Severus Snape
• Tom Riddle
• Draco Malfoy
• Dobby
• Hagrid
• Argus Filch
• Moaning Myrtle
• Nearly Headless Nick
Marginalizing factors
• Class
• Gender/gender expression
• Race
• Ethnic origin / Linguistic
• Body type
• Educational status
• Ability
• Age
• Other?
18. IN YOUR HOUSE, CHOOSE AT
LEAST ONE CHARACTER AND
DISCUSS THESE IDEAS:
• Explain how the character is
marginalized, and provide
examples of the marginalization
from the film or novels.
• Discuss the ways in which the
character responds to the
marginalization that you see as
productive or unproductive and
why.
• Finally, extend your insights to
contemporary society; how does
this character’s marginalization
compare to others you see who
are also marginalized?
19. HOMEWORK
• Read HP POA Chapter 1
• Reread Sample Essay #3
• Read two marginalization articles: “The Pain of
Social Rejection” and “How the Stress of Racism
Affects Learning.” (The other two articles may be
used in Essay 3, but we will not discuss them in
class.)
• HW Discussion #13: Write about a character of
your choice and marginalizing factor. How is he
or she marginalized? Include at least one
example.
