| Essay
#1 How
can the content of Roger Gnoan M'Bala’s film Adanggaman
be interpreted to demonstrate that the film is (or is not) an
historically accurate representation of the slave trade in West
Africa in the seventeenth century? For the purposes of this paper,
the only history you need to know is contained in the course readings
so far. We neither expect or want you to do outside research.
NOTE THE LANGUAGE OF THE QUESTION: "HOW CAN THE EVIDENCE...BE
INTERPRETED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT..."
(hints: the above phrase suggests
that your grade will reflect how persuasively you interpret the
evidence, NOT whether or not you got the "right" answer.
Further, we do NOT want a book-report summary of the readings
so far; we want an assesment of the historical accuracy of the
film based on the readings. Some questions you might ask yourself,
"How and in what ways do aspects of the readings find reflection
in the film?" "Are there aspects of the readings that
contradict the film's portrayal of the slave trade?")
To receive full credit
for this paper you must:
| PAPERS
THAT DO NOT IDENTIFY THE CLAIM/EVIDENCE/WARRANT UNITS WILL
RECEIVE NO CREDIT. (We are serious) |
1) underline your thesis
2) label your claim/evidence/warrant units
(see below) with some clear system. For example, you might write
(cl) or (ev) in the margins, or include the word (claim) before
your claim.
3) cite all references from the course readings. Example: (Davidson,
p. 17)
Writing Tips:
Sample
-- if absurd --Thesis:
The historical accuracy of the film Adanggaman’s depiction
of the slave trade in west Africa in the seventeenth century
can be seen in the portrayal of alien space travel, frank
acknowledgements of Saddam Hussein’s role, and…. |
1) you will need to organize
your response around a thesis statement,
which you must underline to get credit for the paper. As we discussed
in class, your thesis must answer the "how and why" questions,
rather than simply assert an observation. (See here
for a refresher handout on the thesis statement.)
2) You must provide four points of evidence for your thesis.
3) In those paragraphs in which you present evidence (and only those
paragraphs), be sure to use warrants to explain how the evidence
you supply supports your thesis.
(See here for a discussion of how to handle
evidence, including the use of warrants.)
(See here for an example of claim/evidence/warrant
structure addressing Davidson.)
So, one way to organize your paper might be:
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Establish the context for your argument. What are (briefly)
the important facts your audience must know to read further (No
more than 3 sentences)
| Example:
The historical accuracy of the film Adanggaman’s depiction
of the slave trade in west Africa in the seventeenth century
can be seen in A, B,C, and D |
B. Thesis
I I. Point A
A. Claim
B. Evidence
C. Warrant
III. Point
B
A. Claim
B. Evidence
C. Warrant
III Point C
A. Claim
B. Evidence
C. Warrant
IV Point D
A. Claim
B. Evidence
C. Warrant
V Conclusion
|
