(750 word minimum) 

Due: 2/20

Assignment

For this assignment, decide on a discourse community (DC) that you are part of and choose a problem or issue the DC is facing or a ritual or practice central to your DC. Then do the following:

  1. Write a speech or letter where you describe the problem, issue, ritual, or practice that you’ve chosen to discuss. Write your speech or letter to someone (or a group) outside your community. You should introduce yourself and what DC you are part of (and do this in a way that is in line with whichever genre you’ve chosen). Explain the problem, issue, ritual or practice in a way that helps the “outsider/s” truly understand. Your goal is to help them feel comfortable enough to participate in the experience you are explaining or help solve the problem you are describing. Note: It should be clear from reading your piece what genre you are writing in and whom you are addressing.
  1. To help you write your speech or letter, research your topic. If you are focusing on a problem or issue, research possible solutions, and what has already been done to address the situation you DC faces. If you are discussing a ritual or practice, deepen your knowledge by researching the history or reasons behind it–  how or why did it come into being? Through your research, discover details about this ritual or practice that you are unaware of or unfamiliar with.
  2. In addition to using the City Tech library’s online databases or the internet for your research, you may find it useful to interview people involved with the problem. In all, incorporate two to three relevant sources in your speech or letter: make sure your sources are reliable and keep track of them. You will integrate this research into your speech or letter to help you develop your point. Remember: your piece is a speech or letter… you are not writing a research paper!

 Here are the grading criteria for this project:

  • Genre
    • It is clear from your document whether you have written a letter or a speech; in other words, you use the conventions of letter-writing or speech-writing.
    • You use concrete and specific examples and details to illustrate the issue for your reader.
    • If appropriate, you include suggestions or solutions addressing the issue.
  • Audience
    • It is clear from your document whom you are addressing.
    • Your tone, diction & writing style makes sense for this group.
    • Your letter or speech includes details and really works to “put the audience in your shoes.” 
  • Purpose
    • Your overall point is clearly expressed. We understand from your piece that you are either trying to move the readers to action, educate them, or both.
  • Your piece is written and organized in a manner that makes your meaning clear, and you carefully choose your words and transitions.
  • You properly cite any research included in your document (using MLA style).
  • You proofread carefully.
  • Your letter or speech is approximately 800-1000 words (2-3 pages, double-spaced).
  • You submit your assignment on time.