Ch.2- How to Become White
The purpose of the abstract is to give me a clear sense of what your blog post will be thinking about (what is your central idea-claim about the performance you're studying? what are you seeking to understand better about this performance?) and how (what is your theoretical framework? Which theory/theories from our course will you apply to the performance in order to develop your performance analysis? how will these theories help support your central idea-claim?).
1.) Include your full name, date, course title and professor, and the working title for your blog post.
2.) Write your clear and concise abstract (350-400 words) describing your central idea/claim about the performance you're studying. Your abstract should be able to answer the following questions, in no specific order.
What is the performance you're analyzing? (title, main performer/s, genre, any key details on historical context)
Is this a black performance or not (explain)? Remember Christen Smith's definition of black performance: "There has to be some sort of political reflection on the conditions of blackness...black folks can do theater that's not black theater...people engaging performance in order to reflect on their conditions as a political act."
If you are not analyzing a black performance, then you must explain how black performance theory helps you to better understand the performance of your choice.
What kind of evidence from the performance will you be examining in detail?
What is your central idea-claim about what this performance is doing (its efficacy, intentions, and impact in the world)? You can also state your idea-claim in the form of a question that you are asking about the performance.
What theory/theories (cite class sources) will you use to build your performance analysis and support your central idea-claim?
Why does your idea matter/why should the reader care about your idea? Briefly explain the stakes of your idea, which groups are involved in struggles over and claims to power, and what kinds of consequences are effecting the ability of these groups to act.