Lesson 1 - Essays

Unit 2: Exploration of Cultural Identity

LESSON ONE - ESSAYS (Five Days)

Identity is influenced by how individuals or groups see and define themselves and how others define them. Identity is formed through the socialization process and the influence of social institutions such as the family, the education system and the mass media. The concept of identity is important in that it is only through establishing one's identity and learning about the identity of others that people come to understand their similarities to others and their uniqueness that set them apart.

 RESOURCES

"My Body is My Own Business"

"What's in a Name"
If the link for "What's in a Name" doesn't work, here is the actual link:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/what-s-in-a-name-indian-native-aboriginal-or-indigenous-1.2784518.  You can also Google:  CBC What's in a Name?

Unit 2: Exploration of Cultural Identity

LESSON ONE - ESSAYS (Five Days)

LESSON
Read the following selections and choose one to submit for your essay.  Follow the five paragraph personal essay format. Click on the link below if you do not remember this particular essay format.

Five paragraph personal essay format information

NOTE: you do not need to submit any of the the pre-reading exercises outlined on this page.  

1. " My Body is My Own Business" Essay, by Sultana Yusufali

Before reading:
Consider the photo and essay title. Make predictions regarding the topic of this essay. 

Exploration - Click on the following link to view the selection - "My Body is My Own Business"
Read the selection quietly to yourself. Attempt to determine the author's main idea and her supporting arguments. For your own understanding, identify the introduction, body and conclusion of the essay using the following graphic organizer.

2. "What's in a Name?" Article CBC News

Before reading:
Consider what your own definition of culture would be.

Exploration - Click on the following link to view the selection, "What's in a Name?"
Read the selection.  Attempt to determine the author's main idea and her supporting arguments. For your own understanding, identify the introduction, body and conclusion of the essay.

Unit 2: Exploration of Cultural Identity

LESSON ONE - ESSAYS 

CHOICE OF ASSIGNMENTS

After reading all the lesson selections, complete ONE of the following assignments:

Label this assignment E102U2L1surname 
and submit this to the Assignment Folder U2L1 Identity Essay - Choice

You may select either article, but select only one type of essay in your response.

1. ESSAY

Resource: Five Paragraph Essay 

Thesis - the central idea or topic in a piece of writing.

After a careful reading of this article, identify the thesis in a single sentence.  List the arguments the author has presented to support her thesis.  Which arguments are strongest? Which are the weakest?  Explain why, using examples to support your opinion. Then, compile your thoughts into a formal rebuttal in the format of an essay that consists of five paragraphs.

Or...

2. PERSONAL ESSAY

Thesis - the central idea or topic in a piece of writing.

Referring to the ideas throughout the article,In your own words, restate the thesis of this article, and, using examples to support your opinion, state whether you agree or disagree with the premise of this article. (The main point).

Length of response should be approximately three to five paragraphs.

Unit 2: Exploration of Cultural Identity

LESSON ONE - ESSAYS 

EVALUATION

Topic clearly defined /5

Thesis /10

All paragraphs relate to thesis /20

Essay format correctly followed /5

Mechanics of English /10

Total = /50

CONCLUSION

Today, as the sheer intensity and velocity of change challenge the way we interact in our surrounding environment, we are confronted by a set of vital questions. 

These include:

What is the source of our identity?

Where should our attachments and loyalties lie?

What is the nature of the bonds that bring us together?

The answers to these questions help us to develop our own identity which, in turn, determines how we see ourselves and conceive our position in our community and world. It also defines how others classify us and how we my choose to engage with those around us.