Critical Literacy Assignment

This assignment has two parts: (1) Two "code-shifting" emails discussing a social problem, and (2) A formal, academic essay analyzing the craft of the two emails.

Part One: "Code-Shifting" Emails

The purpose of this assignment is to sharpen your skills as writers who can "code shift" effectively depending on the rhetorical situation. You will also begin to act as "critically-literate citizens," a major goal for this course.

In this assignment, you will compose two emails, one to a friend and one to person in a position of authority.

Both emails will discuss a problem you see in society; the email to a friend will only complain about the problem, but the email to an authority figure will identify the problem and call for action.

In both emails, you must consider rhetorical situations carefully and choose the best "code" for effectiveness. Furthermore, you must carefully select the details, examples, and events you choose to discuss in order to "show, not tell" to your audience.

As "critically-literate citizens," it is our responsibility to use our power of literacy to try and make change; we can do this in an action as simple as sending an email to someone in a position of authority, like a principal, a department chair, a manager, a congressman, or an owner, asking for change. (Example: Your son's teacher continually picks on students who aren't "cool"; you can write to your friend to complain, but you could also write to the principal to prompt a change.)

Each email should include:

1. A subject line to grab your reader's attention.
2. A 150-300 word body articulating your problem (and call to action for your person of authority).

In this assignment, you should demonstrate the following skills:

1. An understanding of the rhetorical situation by using the correct "code" (style, tone, topics, etc.) for your different audience.
2. A mastery of the "show, not tell" concept by using description and narration to "show" the problem you're discussing with clarity.

Part Two: A Formal, Academic Essay Analysis (50 points)

The purpose of this assignment is to develop your skill of critically examining your own writing and to develop your skill as a formal, academic writer.

For Part Two, you will write a formal, academic essay that analyzes the craft of your emails. Basically, this essay will argue that you completed Part One successfully.

Your essay must be 2-3 pages in MLA format. It should be written in the same document as your emails, but it should begin on a new page.

Because this is a formal, academic essay, you should NOT use first person; therefore, as you discuss your writing, you should use terms like "this writer," "the author," or "the person."

The "code" of an academic essay relies on the following guidelines:

(1) Proper Formatting. In English classes, the proper format is MLA format. Please review your textbook for more details. I've also posted a sample document in MLA format (with directions) under the "Key Course Documents" tab.

(2) Formal Language. Avoid using first or second-person language (no "I, me, us, we, or you"). Detach yourself from the paper and the reader. Also, avoid using contractions and slang phrasing. Speak like it's the most important job interview of your life!

(3) Precise organization. You should have an introduction, full body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Additionally, you should use a thesis to state your purpose and outline your essay; your body paragraphs should follow the thesis. You should utilize sophisticated transitions to guide your reader between paragraphs and between points.

(4) Clear, concrete examples. Within your body paragraphs, you should use specific examples (not vague generalizations). The expectation in academic writing is to use sources (so for this assignment, the actual emails) to prove your points. You should use specific examples (like quotes and paraphrases) to prove your points. Here, too, you should "show, not tell."

(5) Well-thought analysis. After each example, you must provide analysis to the reader. An academic essay provides examples that are always paired with analysis, where you explain why the example is significant, what it proves, and/or how it connects to the overall reader.

(6) Proper documentation. For this essay, you do not need to include in-text citations and a Works Cited page since you are analyzing your own work. However, in most academic essays, these features are required, so we will work on those skills in future assignments.

(7) Clear, concise writing. Academic writing is well-edited to be clear and concise.

For this assignment, you should have at least four paragraphs. Use the following outline for guidance:

1. Introduction

a. Introduction of the context of the emails and the importance of critical literacy
b. Transition to the purpose of your essay (to analyze the success of the emails)
c. Thesis Statement (Your thesis should state your argument and your main reasons, which will organize your essay. For example: "In these emails, the writer shows the skills of critical literacy by differentiating word choices effectively and using clear, concrete descriptions to "show, not tell" well." Based on this thesis, I would expect the first paragraph to be about word choice and the second paragraph to be about "showing," not "telling." Note: This is a sample thesis; please do not copy it directly. You need to construct your own.)

2. Body Paragraph #1 (Follow the MEAL Plan Structure)

a. Main Idea/Topic Sentence. (This should match up to your thesis.)
b. Example and Analysis
c. Example and Analysis
d. Link to Thesis/Overall Purpose

3. Body Paragraph #2 (Follow the MEAL Plan Structure)

a. Main Idea/Topic Sentence with Transition. (This should carry your reader from your last point to your new point while aligning to your thesis.)
b. Example and Analysis
c. Example and Analysis
d. Link to Thesis/Overall Purpose

4. Body Paragraphs #3 or #4 (Optional. You only need two for the scope of this assignment, but you may construct more if needed.)

5. Conclusion

a. Restate major points of paper
b. Argue why this essay is significant - the "so what?" of the paper
c. Tie back to the importance of critical literacy

Note: The focus of this piece is to ANALYZE your emails, not summarize them. I will have just read the emails, so I don't need you to just tell me what they say. Instead, I need you to analyze HOW you said it. Consider the craft. Look at word choice, tone, style, topic selections, approaches, formatting, and other choices you made to write to each audience effectively. Then, consider how to organize your paper into two main points of analysis (like the outline above shows).