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The most impactful Hip Hop creators pose thought provoking and (sometimes) troubling questions to
listening audiences. They challenge us to see, hear, and think differently. For this assignment, you will work to do
the same through an in-depth analysis of ONE textual source from our course readings. Remember you have the
option to write about a visual, audio, or textual source. If you prefer to analyze a visual or audio source, please
take a look at the other guide. This one is ONLY for students who plan to write about a textual (or traditional)
source. You can find the other guide in the discussion board and writing assignment module on our Canvas page.
Your primary goal in writing about a textual source is to assess its historical value. To do this, you will
need to address three things in your short essay—(a) the historical context of the source, (b) the key ideas in
the source and their significance for the time in which the text was produced, and (c) the significance of the
source for the development of hip hop culture. This is a short essay (just two pages) so work to keep it focused
and strong. Spend time analyzing and really thinking about the larger significance of the source you choose.
Don’t just offer a shallow explanation of a subject you find in the readings. Make meaning out of the
text—bring interpretation to the reading you select. Remember that your work must go beyond mere summary.
Add to what you read. Offer an assessment based on what you understand about the period in which the text
was produced and explain it fully.
Your paper must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced, and must be two or three
pages in length (approximately 500-700 words). To help you along in this writing exercise follow the steps below
but remember that your writing does not need to be written formally. Write creatively and honestly.
Suggested Format
A. Intro and summary
➢ Use your opening paragraph to briefly discuss the content in the source you have selected. You
don’t have a lot of space in your essay to move through this, so be very selective about what you
will include to summarize it. Professional tip: Only include details you will discuss later in the
paper.
➢ Remember that this portion is simply for you to tell your reader what you’re discussing, but you
can make this a more focused essay by also explaining why this document is so important for
understanding its historical period and the development of hip hop culture.
Contextualize and Analyze
➢ This portion of your essay should be a bit longer (2-3 paragraphs). Here you want to tell me how
this document fits into its historical period.
➢ Think about questions like—What was happening in the nation/world when the source was
produced?/How does the document reflect the ideas of its time?/What historical issue(s) is the
writer or speaker addressing in the source?
➢ You do not have to answer every one of the questions above. Simply choose two that you feel
most confident responding to and shape your essay through the answers you provide.
C. Interpretation
➢ Here you want to offer an argument about the larger significance of your source. Tell me what its
larger significance is to the development of hip hop culture.
➢ Try to use the final 1-2 paragraphs to discuss the larger significance of your chosen source.
Specifically, I want you to end your essay by thinking about the current culture of hip hop and
how it may be informed by the historical ideas or developments reflected in your source.
➢ Take your time here and really think through your argument. Avoid simply restating what you say
in the early part of the essay. This way you are not merely repeating the same points, but rather
building on them.
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