Paper Guidelines for March: Book 3

Paper Length: 5pgs double-spaced

Deadline: See Syllabus

Purpose:

I love graphic novels, especially when they are historically focused, and I was so excited when Congressman Lewis created this series. Congressman Lewis was a force to be reckoned with, and he dedicated his life to the fight for equality, civil rights, and human rights. He was on the ground marching with Dr. King, a founder of the SNCC, a former director of the Voter Education Project, and a fierce advocate for the Black Community during his 33-year career in Congress. He recounts his experiences in the Civil Rights Movement in the March series and I'd like you to discuss those in your second book essay.

Task:

Rather than write a traditional book review, I'd like you to do the following:

1. First, give a brief summary of March: Book 3 by Congressman John Lewis (that is no more than 4 paragraphs in length).

2. Next, I'd like you to turn to Lewis's recounting of this period of history. Throughout the book, Congressman Lewis makes it clear that he has a specific personal viewpoint on equal rights, and on the roles that protest can play in effecting change. I'd like you to discuss HIS personal philosophy where protest is concerned, and how he illustrates this throughout the book. Please discuss this in at least one page.

3. I'd also like you to consider the different options and means of protest that are present outside of Representative Lewis's own approach.  What are the different approaches that you see in the book, and how have these options changed today compared to the options Lewis and his colleagues had in the 1960s?  Please discuss this in at least one page.

4. In a couple of paragraphs, please discuss how this story adds to what we've been discussing in class about the civil rights movement. If you'd like to reflect on the movement in progress and how it may connect there, feel free. If you need more space than 2 paragraphs, feel free.  

5. Finally, discuss the effectiveness of a graphic novel as a method of storytelling in at least one paragraph, but no more than a page. Why do you think Congressman Lewis chose this medium for his book? How does a graphic novel format add to our understanding of civil rights and racial justice? Or does it?

6. If we were in a face to face discussion, I'd give students the opportunity to vent about the book, so feel free to do that in the paper as well. Think critically about it and speak critically. Just provide examples from the story as to why. Feel free to take a couple of paragraphs at the end of your paper.  

Important Notes:

Please limit your discussion to the materials presented in this class and Congressman Lewis's book. Web research is not allowed.  Turnitin is attached to the Assignment Dropbox.

You will be graded on paper length, style, and grammar, as well as how well you support your argument.  I'm looking for well-written, persuasive, and detailed discussions that provide good evidentiary support of the argument.  Furthermore, points will be deducted for improperly cited sources, so be sure you follow the proper format to the last period. I use a rubric to grade papers, and I'll provide that with your grade.

Late and/or email submissions will not be accepted.

Also, be mindful of plagiarism—make sure the work is in your own words. Please cite in-text after paraphrased and/or direct quotations from March: Book 3 or the course materials. (Lewis, pg) is sufficient.

You can argue whatever you like.  Just be sure to support it with detailed examples and evidence.