Writing the Labels Essay:

In this unit, we will focus on the structure and form of the expository essay by looking at the personal labels we use to define ourselves and the labels others use to define us.

Nervous Conditions by Tstsi Dangarembga is set in Colonial Rhodesia, Africa. It is the coming of age story of Tambu, a young tribal girl who seeks to rise above the poverty and oppression of being a black African and a woman in her society.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a contemporary story set in Afghanistan and the U.S. that looks at the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the Taliban. The main character, Amir, tells his story of struggling with a deep secret and the resulting conflict of faith, nationhood and identity.
Balsac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sije offers a portrait of two young Chinese boys dealing with the impact of the cultural revolution. In a world where everything Western is banded, these two boys find solace and love in the hidden treasures of Western literature. With our study of the text, we will also work on developing solid expository paragraphs.
Freshmen Composition & Literature*
African-American Literature
Boom To Bust
Expository Composition: Multicultural
Reading Room
Writing Room
Note To Parents & Contact Info

Expository Composition: Multicultural

Course Description:

Students improve their skills in developing effective and critical essays focused on the intersection of literature and culture while applying traditional composition strategies of analysis, comparison/contrast, definition and illustration. The literature reflects the values and lifestyle of a variety of cultural groups both within and outside of the U.S. Students recognize and articulate the bond and differences within and amongst different groups.

Units of Study: