course material

1. Argumentation-Persuasion Critical Essay Process Students begin with
watching/rea
Argumentation-Persuasion Critical EssayProcessStudents begin with watching/reading and
taking notes on the movie Dances with Wolves (1991) OR the novel Juneteenth (1999) by
Ralph Ellison, along with scholarly sources they chose for either the movie or the novel. In
addition, they will study the workings of persuasive argument, including methods of appeal,
types of logic, logical fallacies, and support and refutation of evidence. They will apply all of
these to their interpretation of the events put forth in either the movie or the book.Purpose
and AudienceStudents will write to persuade an audience. Students should use logical and
emotional appeals and should appeal to their credibility as writers.Exposition and
ArgumentStudents state their position in the thesis, then bring forth evidence from the
movie or book and scholarly sources to support that claim and refute opposing arguments.
They will draw on their knowledge of rhetorical appeals to strengthen their support as
well.Organization and DevelopmentStudents use a clear essay framework consisting of
anintroduction, multiple body paragraphs that include direct quotations, summary, and
paraphrase, and a conclusion. Students use MLA format for their in-text quotations and
Works Cited page.Critical ThinkingStudents will analyze the question of language and
identity and depiction of natives (if choosing Dances with Wolves) OR they will analyze
literary devices (metaphor, simile, allusion) and the question of identity and belonging in
Juneteenth. Students apply their knowledge of persuasive argument and its methods to
offer a critical analysis of a plot or literary device.Syntax and UsageLanguage, grammar,
tone, and punctuation are appropriate to the purpose.Basic proofreading has eliminated
surface-level errors, and revision has been utilized tostrengthen the presentation of the
argument. The essay is written in 3rd person present tense and at no point should contain
“I” or opinion.Pre-Writing and Thinking Questions:Dances with WolvesConsider your
position on Dances with Wolves. Is Lt. Dunbar guilty of perpetuating colonialism and
negative stereotypes of Native Americas? Is he purely innocent/merely an innocuous player
in the larger game? Is he responsible in any way for the outcome of the crime?Is being
innocent the same as being “not guilty?” Why or why not?How did the format of the story as
a movie affect your reading of the events?JuneteenthHow does Ellison employ simile,
metaphor, allusion, and figurative language in the novel? In what ways do these literary
devices help reinforce the theme of identity?What is the significance of the death imagery,
such as when Hickman wants Bliss to rise out of a coffin?What is the significance of the

2. religious rhetoric in the novel? Why is most of the novel devoted to Bliss’ flashbacks in
church settings?How does Ellison use symbolism in the novel? How does it convince you as
a reader?Essay Prompts: Draw on what you learned in this unit to craft a persuasive
argument addressing one of the prompts below. You must use whichever primary text you
choose to focus on AND both secondary texts as support for this paper.Prompt A: Discuss
race and at least 3 specific ways in which race comes up in the novel. How does Ellison use
race to tie into the novel’s larger themes and message? Use the novel and two scholarly
sources to support your position.Prompt B: Was Reverend Hickman right in raising Bliss as
his own son? Should he have done something differently? Use at least 3 examples from the
text to support your position. You must also use two scholarly texts to support your
position.Prompt C: Using your knowledge of narrative as well as argument, consider
whether Kevin Costner (the director or “author” of Dances with Wolves) stayed true to the
depiction Sioux/Lakota life. Discuss and analyze three scenes. Persuade readers with
supporting evidence from the movie and two scholarly sources.