Your essay will be evaluated according to the following three criteria:

1) The strength of your argument: Your argument must directly address all parts of the prompt. It should be clearly stated as a persuasive thesis (preferably at the end of the introductory paragraph and again in the first sentence of the concluding paragraph) and encapsulate your overall conclusions about narrative themes you have chosen to analyze in a comparative fashion.

2) The logic and clarity with which you develop your argument: Having clearly expressed a thesis from the outset, each body paragraph must support and further your argument in a clear and logical fashion. To this end, please use topic sentences that introduce a single idea that you want to present in each paragraph; in other words, avoid a structure that is long or convoluted.

3) The ability to support your argument with strong textual evidence: The evidence presented must be supported with detailed references to narrative elements from films, readings, and lectures (do not use non-class sources). If you employ quotes, explain their historical significance in terms of your overall argument. Use internal citations – Ie., As Pak discusses/says, “…” (77).

The paper will require both primary-source analyses and outside research, based on the following assignment: Select a primary source from any period in Brazil’s modern history on any topic. Write an analysis of that primary source, making an argument about

what it demonstrates to you as a historian. You will need to (1) use specific examples from the primary source in question to demonstrate the validity of your argument; (2) draw on secondary sources to broaden your knowledge of the document and its context, as well as to provide such context for your reader. It would be best if you also related your own argument to those made by the secondary sources you consult. (For example, if you make an argument about a particular musical genre and perhaps use a song as a primary source, you will need to respond to—agreeing or disagreeing, or perhaps tweaking—the arguments of scholars who have written about that genre.) Examples of potential primary source materials include laws and constitutions; government proclamations; political speeches; songs, poems, or other works of art; intelligence or military documents; memoirs; and many other forms. For this assignment, you must consult only academic secondary sources—websites, journalistic accounts, and other non-scholarly works are not appropriate. You should plan to consult at least three books and four to five articles. 

Students should first define three key concepts. These three concepts can be from both the historical background (e.g., civil rights movement or neoliberalism) and queer theories (e.g., low theory or homonormativity). Then the students should offer a close reading of Asian American texts or cinematic work of their choice on an external resource. you should offer a brief introduction to the primary text /visual works. 

Furthermore, it would be better if you can organize your first paragraph in this way:

First, please introduce the primary text (i.e., the film or the short story/novel you are going to analyze in the paper) by offering a brief plot summary or describing the most interesting/dramatic scene. Even if the primary text is from our course material, you should still introduce it (treat me like someone who had never read/watched the story/film). 

Second, please briefly introduce the 3 key concepts you are going to apply. Please also explain how you would apply these concepts in your analysis. 

Finally, offer me a thesis statement at the end of the first paragraph. Basically, a thesis statement is a one-sentence summary of your final paper’s major argument. 

One additional piece of advice is to remember to base your argument on close readings. In other words, in the body part of the final paper, I am going to look for close readings of the primary text and grade your paper based on how well you use these close readings to support your major argument /thesis statement. 

Due Date:Complete the attached checklist and submit it no later than Friday at 11:59 PM

Purpose:This checklist will help you to

• Critically reflect on your progress so far.
• Evaluate your own progress based on the rubric for the class.
• Review your paper for APA requirements and course requirements.

Task:

• For this assignment, download the attached file: Week Four Final Paper Checklist
• Answer each of the first three questions carefully, using feedback you received when appropriate. Ensure each response is 100+ words.
• Evaluate your essay using the rubric. Where do you fall (i.e. “mastery”, “proficiency”, etc.) and why? What will you do before the paper is due in order to move higher in the rubric?
• (Optional) Answer the 23 yes/no questions on formatting and course requirements.
• To submit, click on the title, “Week 4 Assignment: Final Paper Checklist.”

Criteria for Success:

• Short Paragraph Responses (60%) – Complete each of the questions to the best of your ability. Reflect on feedback you’ve received and how you’ve overcome challenges (20% for each question, 100+ words for each question). Below this will result in prorated grades (i.e. 50 words = 50% of possible grade).
• Evaluating Your Paper Using the Rubric (40%) – Critically assess yourself using the rubric. There is no word count to this, but you should note 1) what level you are, 2) why you evaluate that area of your paper that way, and 3) what you will do to improve in each category (i.e. “Develops an appropriate and organized research topic through all stages of the writing process”, etc.). Consider addressing each of these questions in each area of the rubric as worth two to three points.

Please use format on Week 4 Checklist-