Write a letter to someone, making a case for something you have learned about in this class with the help of at least three sources from our class readings, two of which have come from unit three.
For example, you might undertake:
• a critique of a corporation, government, or organization’s practices, directed either at the organization itself or at people who are familiar with it
• a request for change in the way an institution or organization conducts itself
• a proposal for a new organization, event, class, or cultural production
• an explanation of how LGBTQ Studies necessitates rethinking the perspective previously held by a particular individual, group, or institution.
When I grade your narrative, here is what I will be hoping to see:
• A clear and persuasive argument. You’re making a case for something, not just reporting your experience in class.
• An appropriate tone for your audience. If you’re writing to your grandmother, I don’t expect to read the same kind of letter as I would if you were writing to the State of Maryland.
• Effective integration of examples. Quote your sources conversationally and persuasively, as you would if you were using them in an informal discussion, but include full citation details in a bibliography at the end.
• A letter that’s the right length to make its case well. If you finish your letter and have not reached the required word count, use the remaining space to write a reflection explaining why you decided to write this letter.
Nuts and bolts:
• Length: 12-1500 words. Submissions of less than 1000 words will incur penalties.
• Submit your finished assignment to the dropbox in ELMS by the end of the day on Friday May 6. Email and paper submissions will not be accepted except by special agreement.
• Essays must be in Word (.doc or .docx), RTF, or PDF format. Use Times New Roman or a similar font in 12-point, with 1-inch margins.
• Graded assignments will be returned no more than two weeks after submission. In addition to the expectations laid out above, please see the Assessment and Expectations page for my general grading rubric.