Paper #2

Much of what we are doing this quarter is looking at various topics from perspectives other than our own, and then hopefully looking back at our own position temporarily from that other place. This isn't (and isn't meant to be) a comfortable place, because learning something new is never completely comfortable, especially when that new perspective isn't one you chose.

So to make it a little easier, for this essay, I want to give you some choice in how you challenge yourself.

Pick a perspective which is different from your own, but which you find either interesting, or challenging. Research the perspective to come to a better understanding of it. Write a paper explaining the topic you chose, and describing that point of view as if it were your own. (This will probably be easiest, and work best, if you leave I out of the essay.) This section should be 4-6 pages. Finally, examine what that perspective taught you about yourself in a conclusion of at least a page.

Conduct at least two interviews and find additional information in books, magazines, and reputable websites.

You need to document your sources, so take notes (preferably one bit of information per notecard.) Save yourself time by recording the sources you look at in MLA format in the first place.

• Rough draft: at individual conferences January 23-25--two copies
• Revision: Tuesday, January 29--four copies for workshop
• Final: Friday, February 1