Creative Nonfiction Project:

Write a collaborative lyric poem/essay in three parts. Each member of the group will contribute at least three pages of original text to the lyric poem/essay.

Each person in your group will read Chapter one & an excerpt of Chapter two of Citizen by Claudia Rankine. Discuss how the sections within the chapters worked together to tell a compelling story. Write down the main point of each section. Describe the sequence in which each part was written.

Once each of you has described the section you read, further discuss how to create your own lyric poem/essay. The project will consist of eight to ten sections as well. The story will be about the immigrant experience, persecution, loss and how one overcomes (or fails to overcome) one of those things. Because this will be based on true events from each of your own personal experiences, the most challenging part will be how to ensure that all three sections connect with one another seamlessly.

Every part of the essay MUST include an original and cover page. Whether a collage, drawing, or painting. Be creative. Copied or pre-printed cover pages will not receive credit.

The student will be responsible for writing no less than three pages (and no more than five) for their assigned section. The group will stand in front of the class and explain their story and process of creation. Each student per group will then read a part (max one paragraph) of their section.