Stereotype Essay due on Thursday, January 14 (3rd/7th). If not completed in class, these will not be accepted any later than Monday, January 18.
Stereotype Essay Assignment
Topic: Think about a stereotype that you think people might try to apply to you. Maybe they categorize you as a dumb blonde, jock, nerd, redneck, cheerleader, geek, gamer, farmboy, teacher’s pet, class clown, slacker, goth, etc. . You may choose one of these or come up with any other that you can think of that you believe people may try to apply to you.
Using the following organization, write a first draft of an essay which shows how this stereotype does not apply to you.
Paragraph One/Lead: Write a snapshot of the stereotype.
Paragraph Two: Explain what stereotype people apply to you and give details about why you believe people apply it to you.
Paragraph Three: Explain what the positive aspects of being associated with this particular group are. What misconceptions or wrong assumptions do people make about the group?
Paragraph Four: How are you more than this stereotype? What are the positive things about you that people miss if they categorize you in only this one group?
Paragraph Five/Conclusion: Answer “so what?” Does it matter that people use this stereotype about you? You can answer this personally explaining how it hurts you, doesn’t bother you, etc. You can answer whether you believe that this stereotype even exists or how you feel about stereotypes in general.
Example Snapshot of “Teacher stereotype” for Paragraph One/Lead. In thinking about your own lead, try to exaggerate the characteristics of the stereotype that you’re describing as in the example below.
Chalkdust flies from her denim jumper as she swishes by a desk. Turning her head towards a raised hand, her black glasses slide down her nose and rest just before the pointed tip, eyes peering over the frames like a startled bird. Without batting an eyelash, she stalks to the questioning student and towers over him with the air of a hawk ready to pounce on its prey. The cowering boy squeaks out his need and bows his head hurriedly over the rumpled paper at his desk. No longer intimidating teenagers, she ambles to the front of the classroom, straightening desk rows and collecting gum as she goes. In spite of the room’s warmth, she wears a sweater bedazzled with school busses and ripe red apples, and with obvious delight the classroom warden announces, “Pop quiz!”
FCA's
1. snapshot lead
2. magic 3
3. hyphenated modifier
4. Use of correct capitalization
