reflective essay

its comparison between two books — instruction in attached file

College of Social & Behavioral Science LEAP 1100-006

Spring 2018

Reflective Essay Assignment #1
Hillbilly Elegy & Between the World and Me

Due Date Sunday, March 4, 2018 by 11:59 pm on Canvas
Points 20 points

In Hillbilly Elegy and Between the World and Me, the authors discuss their own lives and the
problems they see in America today. Both authors discuss how the American Dream is no
longer an achievable goal for many of the people around them. However, they are writing from
two very different perspectives and this difference in perspective radically affects the tone and
purpose of the books. One writes to educate outsiders on what is happening to the culture of
those who are white and poor. The other writes to educate and strengthen his son in the
knowledge that living in America will always be a struggle, and as he does this he educates
Americans on the reality of being a black man in America today. Reflecting on these books how
has your perspective on this American life affected?

In this essay, you are to address all of the following questions:

1. Describe J.D. Vance’s conception of the American Dream. Does he see himself as
someone that has achieved “the Dream”? What prevents others in his family and in his
town from realizing that same dream and what does he think needs to change in order for
more of these people to realize that dream?

2. What is Coates’ description of “the Dream”? Who is able to experience the Dream?
What prevents Coates and his loved ones from realizing that same Dream?

3. How does Coates’ and Vance’s conception of the American Dream differ? Why? Do you

think the changes that Vance suggests need to occur in his community to allow more
people to realize the dream would resonate with Coates and his loved ones? Why or why
not?

Guidelines:
— Please review the grading rubric below before posting your essay on Canvas.
— Your essay is to

• Include your name at the top of the essay;
• be three to five pages long;
• be double-spaced, using 12 size font, standard margins;
• include a title other than, “Reflective Essay #1”; and
• be posted in pdf or Word format on Canvas by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2018.

Note: You should assume that the audience for your paper is someone who has NOT read the
books. Therefore, it is essential that the examples you use be contextualized. However, your
purpose is not to summarize the books, but rather to specifically address the questions above.

GRADING

RUBRIC
Reflective Essay Assignment #1 – Hillbilly Elegy & Between the World and Me

Total Points 20 points
Part I: Structure [5 pts]

1. [2 pts] Style/format
a. 3 to 5 pages
b. 12 size font, double spaced
c. include a title
d. include name at the top of the paper

2. [3 pts] Quality of writing

a. Grammar/spelling (2 pts)
b. Organization and tone of essay (1 pt)

Part II: Content [15 pts]
Vance & the American Dream [5 pts]

I. Address all parts of the question:
a. Describe J.D. Vance’s conception of the American Dream
b. Does he see himself as someone that has achieved “the Dream”?
c. What prevents others in his family and in his town from realizing that same dream and

what does he think needs to change?
II. Quality of the answers

a. Reasonable, logical answer that accurately reflects information in reading
b. Answers show thoughtful reflection on the question
c. Use examples from the reading

Coates & the American Dream [5 pts]
II. Address all parts of the question:

a. What is Coates’ description of “the Dream”?
b. Who is able to experience the Dream?
c. What prevents Coates and his loved ones from realizing that same Dream?

II. Quality of the answers
a. Reasonable, logical answer based on accurate knowledge of the texts
b. answers show thoughtful reflection on the question
c. Use examples from the reading

Comparison of Coates & Vance [5 pts]

I. Address all parts of the question:
a. How does Coates’ and Vance’s conception of the American Dream differ? Why?
b. Do you think the changes that Vance suggests would resonate with Coates and his loved

ones? Why or why not?
II. Quality of the answers

c. Accurately uses information from the readings
d. Answers show thoughtful reflection on the question
e. Use examples from the reading