Analyzing 'The Cult of Ethnicity' by Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

Summary

Paper #1 Prompt:

In the essay, “The Cult of Ethnicity”, Arthur Schlesinger Jr. (Muller, pp. 19-21), argues that in the 20th century, it became apparent that “the cult of ethnicity” had both many healthy and unhealthy consequences in an increasingly multiethnic society in the U.S. For Paper #1, you will practice writing a summary and also practice writing an argument based on literary evidence. You will also be using the following readings from the course: Manuel Muñoz, “Leave Your Name at the Border” (Muller, pp. 71-75) and Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have a Dream” (Muller, pp. 405-408). First, (Introduction component) write an introductory paragraph in which you explain that you are writing an essay about “The Cult of Ethnicity” by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. and that you are going to use an essay by Manuel Muñoz, “Leave Your Name at the Border”, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech from 1963, “I Have a Dream”, as part of the academic conversation.

Provide a summary of the Schlesinger reading to help you establish the thesis. For the thesis, state very clearly whether you agree or disagree with his view that “the cult of ethnicity” in the U.S. in the 20th century has both “healthy consequences” and “unhealthy consequences.” This is not a personal narrative essay. For evidence, use the Muñoz and King readings from the course to help support your claims. In addition, in your opinion, explain whether Muñoz and King would agree or disagree with Schlesinger. You will explain your reasoning more fully in the third section of the paper. Make sure to use Muller’s synthesis ideas that you’ve been using for the Weekly Writing Exercises to help you summarize the Schlesinger reading (Muller, pp. 25-29). The thesis should be the last sentence of the first paragraph. Make sure to underline the thesis in the first paragraph. Points will be deducted if the paper is missing an Introduction component and if the thesis is missing or not adequately included in the paper.

The thesis must be underlined in the first paragraph of the paper. Second (Summary component), practice writing a summary using any of the historical details in Schlesinger’s essay that he uses to define the U.S. as a “multiethnic society.” In addition, make sure to define Schlesinger’s concept of “the cult of ethnicity.” Do not include your opinion in this section. Make sure to use Muller’s synthesis ideas that you’ve been using for the Weekly Writing Exercises to help you summarize the Schlesinger reading (Muller, pp. 25-29). If you have the Muller book, you can read the sample summary of Schlesinger’s work on pp. 50-51 (Muller), however, you cannot cite this information. Do your own work as a writer.

Make sure to properly cite the readings in the paper. Points will be deducted for missing citations or inadequate citations. Make sure to explain the relevance of all cited evidence (Graff and Birkenstein, pp. 42-51). Points will be deducted if the Summary component is missing or not adequately included in the paper. The Summary component should be placed before the Argument component section of the paper. To help you with this component, consider this section as the Reading Response section of the paper.

Third (Argument component), practice writing an argument based on evidence to support your thesis. In this section you will state your opinions and whether you agree or disagree with the Schlesinger reading. Make sure to state whether Muñoz and King would agree or disagree with Schlesinger. This is not a personal narrative essay. For evidence, make sure to use both the Muñoz and King readings from the course to help support your claims. Do your own work as a writer. Make sure to properly cite the readings in the paper. Points will be deducted for missing citations or inadequate citations.

Make sure to explain the relevance of all cited evidence (Graff and Birkenstein, pp. 42-51). You are not required to include a counterargument in this paper. Points will be deducted if the Argument component is missing or not adequately included in the paper. The Argument component should be placed after the Summary component section of the paper. To help you with this component, consider this section as the Weekly Writing Exercise section of the paper. Fourth, include a conclusion in which you restate three items: (1) an overall summary of the Schlesinger reading, (2) restate your thesis regarding the Schlesinger reading, and (3) reiterate your opinions regarding whether Muñoz and King would agree or disagree with Schlesinger. Points will be deducted if the conclusion is missing or not adequately included in the paper. Make sure to use first-person wording, when you are practicing your argumentative skills throughout the paper.