Recon:Imagine that you have been asked to contribute a feature story on either Maya Angelou or Malcolm X for a series on the “The Relevance of Historical Figures in Today’s Politics” in the “Our Far-Flung Correspondents” section of theChicago Sun Times. In offering you a position as a Far-Flung Correspondent, the editors hope that your voice and opinion as a young college student will allow for a new, fresh perspective on an important historical figure.

While your essay will likely largely focus on the person’s historical achievements, you must also convince the reader of the continued importance and relevance of this historical figure. In short, connect their historical significance with contemporary issues.

Mission:Write a feature story on either Maya Angelou or Malcolm X. Be sure to:

•Have a clear purpose: Make an argument about the relevance of the figure today. Show why this person matters, not only historically but currently.

•Use several detailed examples to support your assertions. Be sure to select examples that will appeal to your audience and teach them something new. Draw your support from class readings and online videos.

•Focus on specific examples and details that convey the person’s wider significance.

•Include narrative writing to entertain and inform your audience: keep your examples lively and engaging.

•Use quotes effectively to convey the person’s voice.

•Reconnect the historical figure with a contemporary issue in the conclusion.

Length & Format:3-5 double-spaced pages, with 12-point font and one-inch margins.

Evaluation Criteria:

A successful feature story will

•Introduce the historical context that affected the activist

•Adopt language and tone that are appropriate for the genre

•Provide important, basic information about the historical figure

•Effectively introduce the historical figure

•Make an explicit connection to a contemporary issue

•Include specific evidence to substantiate the claims

•Use correct and effective grammar and sentence structure

•Use effective and appropriate diction and syntax

•Present ideas cohesively in a logical order

Revision Suggestions:

Objectively read your first draft.

Add: nuance, details, examples

Delete: redundancies

Substitute: replace vague statements with more specific ones

Rearrange: keep the most closely related ideas closest together.

Proofread.

And yes, the revision suggestions are always the same. Have you got them memorized yet?