Write a thesis-based, argumentative essay in which you a) identify and describe a group that is being under-represented, or misrepresented.

Essay #4: Reclaiming Identity, Regaining Rights

Background: This quarter, we have focused on the concepts of identity, media representation, human rights, dignity, and sympathy, by exploring the ways our self-portraits create and establish an identity online; how we are stereotyped or depicted in the media; and the effect perceptions can have on our actions, understanding, and sympathies, leading to atrocities as well as healing. And now you will be able to exert your influence on your classmates’ and instructor’s perceptions of the world by arguing how a group of people has been misrepresented or under-represented, and how this has led to diminished human rights. Your goal will be to bring greater understanding to this group and their situation by offering a more accurate or sympathetic portrayal, with the hope of returning their dignity and rights.

TASK: In a minimum of 6 pages, write a thesis-based, argumentative essay in which you a) identify and describe a group that is being under-represented, or misrepresented; b) analyze the problem that you have discovered with the current depiction or representation; c) argue how this misrepresentation has led to violations of human rights; d) re-educate your audience about this group, offering a more accurate or sympathetic portrayal; and e) persuade your audience to take a particular action to improve or change the situation.
UDHR #26 Everyone has the right to education and to free primary education

When choosing your group, consider one or more of the following:
• A region of interest (South-East Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, North or South America, Europe, etc.);
• A specific human rights violation—review the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and related sources (Human Rights Watch, etc.).
• A current issue that concerns you (the technological divide, heath care, infectious diseases, civil war, torture, women’s rights, religious rights, immigration, etc.)–look through news sources and headlines for hot topics under debate.
• A specific demographic (a group of individuals defined by their age, gender, social class, culture, ethnicity, ideology, religion or a blend of these).
• Review the Course Reader or our two books and some of the stereotypes and misrepresentations covered earlier in class.
• Consider yourself, or people you know who are being misrepresented (this could mean returning to the topic of Essay #1)

Requirements: A strong essay will . . .
• Open with a well-developed introduction that identifies the group or issue you want to address, specifies the related article of the UDHR (if applicable), and inspires your audience to read more.
• Provide a focused thesis statement that argues the problem with the current representation of this group, how this has led to a human rights violation, and why we should see this group or issue in a new way.
• Use well-developed, coherent PIE paragraphs.
• Be well-organized to lead your reader and build your argument, covering all the components of the task (A-E).
• Conclude by offering ways for your peer to get involved and take action with regard to the group you’ve identified, the human rights discussed, or the current issue highlighted.
• Use MLA format, including in-text citation and a Works Cited page for all sources directly referenced.
• Be carefully proofread for minimal sentence-level errors, especially those mentioned in your previous work, and employ a variety of sentence combining and modifying strategies for greater complexity and logic.
• Provide a Cover Letter as the opening page of your document, which discusses your progress throughout the quarter, areas you are still working on, and ways that this class—the topics, skills, and activities—may relate to your academic or personal journey.

Initial Research Orientation: Workshop
Topic Proposal & Research Worksheet (CR):
Tentative Thesis and Outline [1-2 pages]:
Very Rough Draft Peer Review:
Refined Rough Draft (for additional commentary & instructor review): (Turnitin)
FINAL PRESENTATIONS: Scheduled Final Exam Day
FINAL DRAFT ESSAY 4 (NO LATE ESSAYS ACCEPTED): (Turnitin)

Final Research Paper Topic Proposal
1. What is the main group, current event, or human rights issue that you will be researching?

2. How has your chosen group been misrepresented, underrepresented, and/or violated?

3. If applicable, which Article(s) of the UDHR is(are) being violated? Why do you feel this way?

4. Who or what is responsible for this representation or violation?

5. What effects or problems do you see with this representation that may not be obvious to your readers or that they may not be aware?

6. Who is your intended audience for the essay? Why should your audience care about this group or issue? (Since you are focusing on your peers, you need to know their general background or knowledge of this topic, as well as their values or views.)

7. How do you want your readers to see this group? And what do you hope they will do, say or feel after reading your essay?

Initial Research
Take an hour or more to review the Foothill library databases and various links that were provided for you. Then begin to record your sources and evaluate them to decide why they will be helpful for your argument.

For each source provide the author and title, as well as the library database or online search tool (Google Scholar, etc.) you used. You should also record the access path/URL for websites.

1. Author:
Title:
Search Tool/Database:
URL: