Revise the uploaded document to meet listed requirements. Your assignment is to write a 4 or more page essay (double-spaced, 10-12 point Times New Roman font) in which you define the term community, provide examples of some communities that you belong to, and analyze they ways in which they have or have not shaped who you are. You are not required to do outside research for this assignment, but you may, and you must include at least two quotes in your essay from some of the reading materials from class so far or from your own outside reading. However, the community definition and descriptions should primarily be based on your observations, your experiences, your memories, and your knowledge. Outside information and quotes should be used to supplement or support what you write. Sample Outline Note: Below is a suggested outline of information to include in your essay. You aren’t required to follow it exactly; you can modify it to fit with your writing, but it should include the information identified below, be logical, and be written in an academic writing style–with topic sentences, transitions, and so on. General Essay Outline Introduction. Creative Hook: Open your essay with something that engages reader interest and sets the tone for your essay, such as a short anecdote, a description, a peculiar fact, a quote, or an open-ended question. Definitions, Context, Complications: You might consider including some of the following: discussing your overall approach or methodology (i.e. How are you defining community?); or describing challenges you faced in defining the term, and how you solved them; or including limitations and/or complications in the definitions or in determining the influence of communities on individuals; or discussing conflicts among yourself and the multiple communities you belong to; or discuss do or do not influence who you are. Background Information & Overview: Provide a brief general overview of your essay without repeating the above. You might consider briefly introducing the communities that you belong to which you will discuss in the essay; or briefly introducing yourself; or writing one or two sentences about each of the body paragraphs that follow. The introduction paragraph is “The Big Picture.” Thesis Statement: Finally, include an overarching a thesis statement that clearly defines what community means to you, identifies some communities that you belong to, and how they have shaped who you are. Part One: Definition of “Community” [One or More Paragraphs] Your Definition of the Term “Community” How do you define “community”? What is your definition? Are there common characteristics? Shared beliefs? Something else? You can also elaborate on challenges of coming up with a suitable definition here; for instance, you might: explain in more detail how you chose to define the term and/or any challenges you encountered, or address how to account for generalizing an inclusive-enough definition that still accounts for individual variations within the group. You might discuss variations of the definition: What are the similarities and differences between how others define it and how you define it? What are its most noticeable characteristics? Is it changing? Does it never seem to change? You also might discuss or complicate or problematize the relationship of individuals to community or communities: what that conflict is, how communities can conflict with one another even though they contain some of the same people. Part Two: Examples of Communities You Belong To [Multiple Paragraphs] Keeping in mind your own definition of the term community above, and using that as a guide, define and describe two or more communities that you belong to–one community per paragraph. Note: In this part, you should consider not only what order to define and describe the communities you belong to, but also which communities you choose to write about. Your essay might be more interesting if you choose surprising combinations or two (or more) communities that conflict with each other or cause you conflict or stress because of belonging to both. Develop these paragraphs based on what you know about the community; for example: share your observations or anything significant you know about its history, members, reputation, strengths and weaknesses, stereotypes vs. reality, prominent people who are a part too, or its current relevance, significance, or situation; tell a story about how you came to identify as a part of it; consider including anything you know about its founding or any significant events in its history that you are aware of; and perhaps include what makes it special or unique, in your opinion? What types of people are included? What do they do? How do they get along? Is the community undergoing any sort of change? You might also include personal reflections. Where do you fit in? Given all that you have reported so far, reflect on the value (or lack thereof) of being a part of the community you have observed. Using your class journals, observations, conversations, and any other useful materials, describe what your role in the community you are writing about is. Did you choose it or were you born into it? Do you fit in? How? Do you have “roots” there? Are you an outsider or newcomer? A leader? A rebel? Think this section as a mini-history lesson or an introduction to the location / space for someone completely unfamiliar with its history or reputation. Part Three: How These Communities Inform Your Identity (or Don’t) [One or more paragraphs] In this section, think about and describe the ways in which the communities you identify as being a part of have influenced who you are, and/or which you resist being influenced by. You might consider explaining how the communities influence you with some personal examples, memories, or reflections; Or you might consider complicating how they conflict with each other and explaining how you deal with the conflict. Conclusion Final Analysis. Avoid summary. This final section is an overall analysis of your community experience in which you examine its important aspects from a “big picture” perspective. Your goal should be to bring together everything you have discussed in the preceding paragraphs and comment on how they all intersect–or don’t. This might be a good place to revisit the way you have framed the issues from your introduction or reflect on your beliefs about the ways in which communities can affect individuals or create conflict within individuals, among members, or with other communities. Or consider developing an argument about what best defines the communities you are a part of: What do they stand for overall? What do they have in common? How do they differ? Why is this important? Other ideas and questions to consider: What is the value of belonging to a community? The negatives? What advice do you have for readers who find themselves in a similar situation as you? Do you have recommendations for readers? Can you be a part of a group while maintaining your own personal identity? I have attached document that needs revising and completed
