This document provides the prompt and guidelines for Essay #2 in EWRT 1B. Students are asked to write a 4-6 page argumentative essay arguing either for or against the statement by William Pickens that passing for white can provide advantages such as better accommodations and safety from violence. The essay should use evidence from course texts and discussions and be formatted in MLA style. It should include an introduction with thesis, body paragraphs with supporting evidence, and a conclusion. The learning outcomes focus on developing writing process skills, analyzing writing tasks, using research strategies, and incorporating sources.

1. EWRT
1B
Essay
#2
In his essay “Racial Segregation,” William Pickens asserts, "If passing for white will get
a fellow better accommodations on the train, better seats in the theatre, immunity from
insults in public places, and may even save his life from a mob, only idiots would fail to
seize the advantages of passing, at least occasionally if not permanently" (3)
Write an essay of four to six pages arguing for or against William Pickens’s statement.
Use support from the texts you have read so far, our discussions, and your own insights.
Remember to format your essay in MLA style.
Ways to begin:
Think about the reasons for passing. Consider both the costs and benefits of passing;
Write a thesis based on your conclusions.
Find textual evidence to support your position. You can use secondary sources if you
would like to, but they are not necessary for this paper. Explain how your examples
support your thesis.
Think about how to present your counterargument. This is an anticipation of the
argument for the other side. Think about the reasons someone might use to argue against
you and respond to them each.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate competence in the writing process from invention and
prewriting through drafting, revision and final editing.
2. Students will develop a repertoire for analyzing and approaching writing tasks,
finding a subject and generating ideas for writing.
3. Students will examine reading and writing processes in relation to each other.
4. Students will gain experience in using the personal computer as a writing and
revising tool.
5. Students will recognize persona, purpose, and audience in writing and develop
essays that demonstrate unity and coherence and contain a clear controlling idea
(thesis), a strong introduction, sufficient supporting detail and a strong
conclusion.
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to use research strategies for specialized
assignments, employing the MLA citation format.
7. Students will demonstrate some ability in finding, analyzing, synthesizing
material from critical and popular print and electronic and other media into their
writing.