English
In "A Nation Made of Poetry" (Inventing Arguments, p.287) Joannie Fischer writes about the U.S. National Archives and Records Administrations list of 100 milestone documents chronicling the nation's history from 1776 to 1965. She argues this list is sadly incomplete; many other documents, works of literature, letters, and more impacted American history as much if not more than the 100 documents on this list.
For this essay, select one work from the United States or a foreign nation which you believe should be in this list or in a similar for a foreign country's archive (literature, memoirs, song lyrics, movies and so forth are acceptable if approved by instructor) and argue how this particular work has been crucial to shaping a global identity. Your addition to the list or a global list must have been produced between 1900 and 2015.
Your essay must be a minimum of 750 words (put word count on the last page), and focused on ONE work. Use Fischer's essay as a model. A rough draft of this essay will be workshopped during class on September 14. Participation in the workshop can count for almost 20% of your essay grade. The workshopped draft must be attached to the final draft.
Later in the semester, this global document essay might be expanded upon to create a research-based essay with supporting evidence. The critical analysis essay must be researched-based with proper Chicago Style citations. Research is an important component of the ENGL 2 curriculum. The purpose is not merely to summarize the views of others on a particular issue; rather, students must take a position on an issue and find appropriate evidence to support their views.
PS:1 The Tutor must have read the article "A Nation Made of Poetry" by Joannie Fischer.