Module 5 Formative Assessment Assignment, Part 2
Formative Assessment #2 for Jim Crow Essay
Learning Objectives for Formative Assessment Part 2
One. Write a thesis paragraph that outlines your body paragraphs in a clear design of block or point-by-point comparison.
Two. Learn how to frame a comparison thesis in the context of a meaningful argument.
Three. Use this paragraph as a building block for your Jim Crow essay (this essay is a summative assessment).
Four. Learn that using comparison expository design is an effective way to roadmap and organize your essay and expand our understanding of an important term such as Jim Crow. We use comparisons all the time to help us weigh the value of similar things or to understand how something evolves such as the early stages of Facebook, Twitter, or Netflix with their current state in order to understand what kind of trade-offs these changes make.
Assignment Description
Writing Your Comparison Thesis for Your Jim Crow Essay
Write a comparison thesis that shows the similarities and possible differences between Jim Crow 1.0 as seen in the Jim Crow Museum and Jim Crow 2.0 as seen in Childish Gambino's “This Is America.”
You will explain the distinguishing characteristics of Jim Crow that are presented in the video.
Here are some template sentence examples of transitioning from the first paragraph to the second paragraph:
While Jim Crow 1.0 consisted of _________, ___________, and __________, we see in “This Is America” that Jim Crow 2.0 has morphed into a new oppression characterized by __________, _____________, and _________________.
With similar characteristics of Jim Crow 1.0 illustrated in “This Is America,” Childish Gambino also shows Jim Crow’s new manifestations, which include _______________, _________________, and _________________.
While Jim Crow 1.0 emphasized __________, __________, __________, Jim Crow 2.0 became a different beast in that it focused on _______________, _______________, and _________________.
While there were some key differences between Jim Crow 1.0 and Jim Crow 2.0, especially in that 2.0 emphasized __________ and __________, they have key similarities, which include ________________, ___________________, __________________, and ________________________.
What’s important is that you provide a clear transition between the first and second paragraphs. The Purdue Writing Lab has a good explanation of these paragraph transitions, which you can find on this link.
The Purpose of this Assignment
All of my assignments are “building blocks” toward your finished essay, what in online education circles is referred to as your Summative Assessment. By fulfilling the requirements of this assignment, you will have a third paragraph completed toward your essay.
Sources for this assignment:
Instructions:
Step One. Begin Paragraph 3 with a comparison thesis.
Because we will gain a greater understanding by comparing the original version with its current manifestation, we will want to create a thesis template that allows us to see the similarities and differences between Jim Crow 1.0 and Jim Crow 2.0.
Step Two. Decide if you want to emphasize similarities or differences.
Based on your analysis of the two videos, you will decide if you want to emphasize the similarities or differences.
Use Whereas or While for emphasizing contrast.
Example:
Whereas the Apple Macbook Pro emphasizes ease of use, a tightly secure connection between its hardware and software, and enhanced security from malware, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme emphasizes faster processors for power users, more freedom to customize components, and more compatibility with accessories and add-ons.
Use Both to emphasize similarities.
Example
Both the Apple Macbook Pro and the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Extreme offer 4K high-resolution screens, solid state drives, latest generation i9 processors, and Bluetooth 5 connectivity.
As we discussed earlier, when you provide an extended definition, you provide three things: a single-sentence definition of the term you’re defining, the class that the term belongs to, and the term’s distinguishing characteristics.
Start with While to show both contrast and comparison.
Example:
While there were some key differences between the MacBook Pro and Thinkpad X1 Extreme, including __________ and __________, they have key similarities, which include ________________, ___________________, __________________, and ________________________.
List of Requirements for This Assignment
One. You write a comparison paragraph that shows a clear understanding of Jim Crow 1.0 and Jim Crow 2.0 based on Dr. David Pilgrim’s museum and Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” video.
Two. Your comparison and/or contrast must give the reader a deeper understanding of Jim Crow.
Three. You must frame the comparison as an argument about the importance and relevance of Jim Crow as part of America’s history and identity.
Four. Your comparison thesis must help you outline your body paragraphs in either a point-by-point or block paragraph design.
How I Break Down Your Grade for This Assignment of 25 Points
One. Clarity and usefulness of your thesis, 10 points.
Two.Your sentence structure that conforms to a template for a comparison and/or contrast thesis, 5 points.
Three. The authenticity of your writing and the degree of meaning you give your subject matter. A writer never wants to just “go through the motions,” that is to say, deliver a perfunctory effort. Deliver the degree of authenticity and meaning this subject deserves: 10 points.
Read Your Feedback on Assignment Comments
When you receive your score, you will be notified through Canvas, and the comments will be delivered on the Assignments Comments page through SpeedGrader.
Resources for Reference
Video the “The New Jim Crow Museum”
The Purdue Writing Lab has an effective description of extended definitions with the link here.
Breakthrough Writer blog post, “Mastering the 6 Components of Signal Phrases.”
Purdue Owl MLA in-text citations
Example of an extended definition paragraph from my Breakthrough Writer blog post:
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