Select an article and explain how it engages in a “larger conversation”. The Danger of A Single Story

4 pages
For paper one, you will select an article (from our textbook or elsewhere) and explain how it engages in a “larger conversation” and why the author feels the need to add to it. You will explain what the conversation is and how the author intervenes, paying attention especially to the unique contributions the author is making to this field of inquiry as well as their methods of support and evidence. Consider this an introduction to the "larger conversation" of your research paper; start thinking what topic you might discuss.

Example:
In “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Adichie responds very specifically to the issue of stereotyping and its impacts on cultural perception. Although this larger conversation has a long history of discussion, especially in our cultural context, Adichie demonstrates that the issue is still very present not just in the US, but globally. First, her discussion of her childhood reading suggests that both the majority and the minority can stereotype the other. For example, she says, “all my characters were white and blue-eyed. They played in the snow, they ate apples, and they talked a lot about the weather [...] now this, despite the fact that I lived in Nigeria” (“The Danger”). What this demonstrates is that stereotyping can lead to faulty impressions of another culture, but also that anyone can have a misconstrued image of the other. Perhaps Adichie brings up this example as a Nigerian woman to demonstrate that, even though she is a minority in the US, diversity and understanding are necessary on the parts of all people. This unique stance adds to the conversation by dismantling the “single story,” providing a fuller picture of others. Thus, Adichie not only responds to the larger conversation; she is actively trying to change global understanding of race so the conversation may one day be resolved.
[From here, you might more specifically write about the power structures she discusses, especially where the majority oppresses the minority with a “single story.” You might also continue to discuss how she supports her claims with anecdotal evidence as well as some other factual data: what makes these claims effective for the larger conversation?]

Here are some questions to get you started:
- What is the context of the article? (i.e. culture, time period, &c.)
- What reasons might the author provide for explaining the relevance of the article? Why does this article matter?
- How does the author respond to others in the field? What kind of material does the author use to explain his/her/their position?
- What is the author contributing to the conversation? A new stance? New evidence? What else?
Feel free to explore questions not listed above.

A strong paper will:
- Be free of grammatical and spelling errors
- Identify the larger conversation and its significance
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the author responds to the larger conversation
- Provide direct quotation and paraphrase where relevant (with correct citations)
- Support general claims with specific examples from the text

Final Notes about Paper 1:
A paper that is mostly or all summary will receive a failing grade.
You must provide a Works Cited and in-text citations for the source you use. You should only use ONE text, so there should only be ONE entry in your Works Cited. Failure to cite is akin to plagiarism.
Do not rely on other people’s ideas for this paper; I want your unique analysis. Under no circumstances should you use another person’s analysis as your own (e.g. from summary sites like SparkNotes, &c.).