African Americans
Directions: For the final essay exam in this class, you are required to compose a 400-450 word argumentative essay addressing the following question. As a brief reminder, this essay is worth 32 points. FINAL ESSAY EXAM QUESTION During the semester, we discussed a variety of issues related to Black liberation and the oppressive experiences Black communities face. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor examines the explosion of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement by examining Black peoples ongoing struggle with violence, police brutality, and exploitation by the criminal justice system. She ends the book with a simple question. Based on our class readings, class discussions, and your essays and research papers, develop a 400-450 word argumentative essay that addresses the following question. Can Black people gain equality in America? A few things to consider .. Do you have a claim (thesis) that takes a position on one side or the other? This is an argument so the essay should be arguing a position related to the question. To make it easy for the reader to find, try to keep it in the introduction. Have you clearly incorporated the reading material from the class? The purpose of this essay is for you to demonstrate that you understand how to make clear statements and use source material to support your ideas, claim, and discussion about a particular topic. Are you still using I, me, my, you, us, we, our? That language should not be included in this essay. Remember, we talked about the many reasons why this type of language should not be used. At this point of the semester, you should have already made the adjustment in your writing. This essay is your opportunity to demonstrate growth. Does your essay follow the basic essay structure at the least? At the very least, an essay has an introduction, body paragraphs that examine the points of discussion, and a conclusion. These are the basic components of an essay. Also, make sure the first line of each sentence is indented. This signals to the reader that a new paragraph is starting. Avoid using pronouns in the first sentence of a paragraph. A sentence with a noun has to precede a sentence replacing that noun with a pronoun. Are your sentences complete? Remember when we talked about fragments? A complete sentence has to have a subject, verb, and complete thought. Also, do not combine two complete sentences with a comma (that makes a comma-splice). Did you proofread?
