1. Three (3) short essays. Each student will be asked to write three short 2-3 page essays. The first short essay (see 1.1) gives me an idea of your writing style and your perspective, as well as your interests. The second short essay should be written in response to the assigned topic as described below (see 1.2). The final short essay (1.3) outlines initial thoughts about your longer research paper. These short essays represent, in total, 35% of the grade.

1.1. Adopt an Artifact or Describe a Landscape or Describe a Celebration You have three options:

One, write a two to three page essay about an artifact or object.

Two, write about a particular landscape of your own choosing. (two to three pages)

Three, Describe a Celebration that may have a connection to your personal or family identity that may be

part of your family traditions. (two to three pages)

The essay has three parts: Select an object or landscape or celebration, then describe it, (what is it?), and tell why you selected it. You may want to select a favorite object or an artifact that is important to your family. If you decide to write about a landscape or physical place, you might describe a familiar landscape, one that you consider important in identifying where you are from. This place can be a physical location or geography of the imagination. If you write about a celebration, explain your connection to the celebration. You may use Sandburg, Sanders, Wheeler, or another author to help articulate your ideas about place and landscape.

1.2. Rhetoric of Civil Rights and Social Justice: Martin Luther King, Jr.s Writing Strategy. Write a 3-4 page essay on Kings Knock at Midnight sermon, his Letter from the Birmingham Jail or the I Have a Dream speech. You may consider the speeches together. When you analyze Kings arguments, examine the approach he takes to solve a societal problem. Name two objectives King outlines in his speeches. How does King use repetition, assonance, and consonance in his language? How do his rhetorical devices, including cultural and historical allusions, persuade the listener and the reader?

1.3. Research Prospectus. Write 1-2 pages in which you outline your beginning thoughts about the topic and/or text you have selected as the focus of your research essay. Identify how the research essay topic will be addressed. Include a preliminary list of bibliographic references.