Select one of the following two essays prompts and write an essay following the guidelines outlined on page 4 of the syllabus. Remember: follow all directions, have a clear thesis, and a demonstrable argument that you support in the paper. As indicated on the course calendar, the essay is due Monday, April 17.
- Most of the works we have read in class have blended fictional and nonfictional elements in their narratives. As a reader, how does this impact how the text treats immigration and the immigration experience? Are there moments where the use of fiction better conveys these realities better than “facts”? Why or why not? You must use at least one text read in class AFTER the midterm exam.
- Considering testimonio as a genre, what are the differences between a first-hand account (written in the first-person “I”) and an account written in the third person (he or she)? Does this change how you, as a reader, interpret or view the realities presented in the text? Why or why not? Do you read a text different when you know that someone is relating someone else’s story versus someone relating his or her own experience? Should you? You must use at least one text read in class AFTER the midterm exam.