Analytic Essay – 5-6 pages

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Write a 5-6 page, double-spaced essay with 1-inch margins in response to ONE of the prompts below. The essay is analytic which means your primary objective is to take a stand on a

particular issue or topic and make an argument or make a case for the issue or topic you selected.

You must support your argument with evidence from lectures, discussions, readings, investigative assignments, personal experiences, and/or videos shown in class. Strong essays use multiple sources of evidence (THREE sources), such as readings, peer responses from the Thursday discussion groups, and personal experiences, or readings, investigative assignments and videos shown in class, or some other combination of sources. Do not only rely on the readings. A list of all videos shown in class is at the end of this document along with a general grading guide.

A strong essay is one that:

  •  Presents a clear position or claim, followed by details and examples that support the position
  •  Explains the significance of the examples. (Be sure to explain how the examples support your position, this includes direct quotes from the readings)
  •  Integrates information from more than the readings, such as personal experiences, investigative assignments, and videos shown in class, or some other combination of THREE sources of information (the readings are one source) You MUST use five readings from the course. The voter guide for California Prop. 227 does not count as a reading. Do NOT use outside readings or sources. Include a Works Cited page. Be sure to proofread your essay. Please go to OASIS if you need help with your writing.

Analytic Essay Prompts

Select ONE of the questions below to respond to in your essay. Make sure it’s clear which question you have selected. If you don’t and it’s unclear which question you’re answering, points will be taken off.

  1. How can schools and/or teachers validate students’ language and cultural backgrounds? In other words, how can schools and/or teachers show respect, affirm, honor, and/or include students’ language and cultural backgrounds in education?
  2. How can schools influence students’ identities, as well as their perceptions of education and their experiences in school? In other words, in what ways can the structures, cultures, policies, and/or practices in schools influence students’ identities, perceptions of education and their experiences in school?
  3. Crawford argues that language is politically controversial. Why is language so controversial? What are the issues typically debated about language? Be sure to discuss bilingual education as an example of the controversy. You can use other examples as well.

And, I’ll attach the links of readings later on. Thank you.