Outside Writing Assignment on EXPRESSION

(1) Locate an article, story, poem, picture, movie, or other cultural item which to you expresses the ideas and/or feelings of its creator. Many ideas will work. For example, a philosophical essay like the book written by Sartre on expression would work. However, almost any work of music, art, or literature also expresses thoughts and/or feelings. A novel such as LeGuin’s The Dispossessed shares both philosophical and socio-political ideas with the reader and expresses her own background and personal culture as well.

(2) In 1.5-2 pages, write out a summary and explanation of the ideas expressed in the cultural item.

(a) Begin by introducing the item and its creator to the audience. Be sure to connect the creator with a particular culture.

(b) Then spend a page or so illustrating and explaining the ideas contained in the item. For example, what views does the philosopher/writer/artist/creator express? Why might the creator have chosen this means of expression?

(c) Be sure to connect your analysis with specific details or events or dialogue or key passages from the item.

(d) Finally, in the conclusion connect the philosopher/writer/artist/creator’s ideas with the cultural context you identified in the introduction. If you wish, you may also inject your own commentary or reactions at this point.