Instruction
ALTERNATIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT—SLAVE NARRATIVE:
Imagine you are an African or African American living in the United States prior to the
abolishment of slavery (pre 1865). Using the guidelines discussed during lecture and class,
write your own slave narrative. While this narrative will be fictitious, it should be realistic in
that it references actual scenarios or experiences enslaved Africans and African Americans
endured. You can write from a female or male perspective, but will need to include the
following:
• A picture or portrait of the author, often signed (Optional)
• A title page that includes the claim, "Written by Himself/Herself"
• A testimonial or a preface(s) or introductions
• Sometimes a poetic epigraph or bible verse (Optional)
• The actual narrative (must be 3-5 pages)
Please take this assignment seriously. The institution of enslavement was unjust, horrific, and
dehumanized Africans/African Americans in the United States and throughout the world. Your
narrative should be mindful and reflective of the history and struggles the Black community
was forced to live through. Reference the two narratives read in class (Equiano’s and Jacob’s)
for an idea of the writing style and language you should use for your fictional narrative. Also,
look back on lecture notes from Week 4 to incorporate common themes and/or patterns of the
slave narrative genre.