Write an essay of no less than 1,250 words and no more than 1,500 words (approximately 5-6 pages) using specific citations from A Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur and at least four (4) additional sources to analyze a societal problem and to argue for a proposed solution. Introduction (approximately 150 words about 1 paragraph) ï¨ Including the name of the writer and title of the text, summarize the primary reading in one or two sentences ï¨ Introduce the problem through one of the following techniques: Provocative question, series of questions, or opinion Startling statistic or surprising fact Relevant quotation or incident Striking image Personal narrative ï¨ State the thesis Background Information (approximately 200 words about ¾ of a page; include at least 1 source) ï¨ Provide background information about the writer of the primary source (family, culture, experiences, etc.) ï¨ Discuss this background information in the context of the theme of your essay Statement of the Problem (approximately 350 words about 1+ pages; include at least 1 source) ï¨ Describe the problem ï¨ Provide background information about the problem ï¨ Discuss why this is a problem Solution (approximately 250 words about 1 page; include at least 1 source) ï¨ Present one or two current solutions and discuss the strengths and challenges of each solution ï¨ Propose an adaptation of a current solution so that its more effective or propose a new solution with an explicit detailed description ï¨ Defend why this is a good solution Counter-argument and Response (approximately 200 words about ¾ of a page; include at least 1 source) ï¨ Present a counter-argument that either argues this is not a problem or that challenges the statement of the problem (in whole or in part) ï¨ Respond to the counter-argument by explaining why you still hold your position and discussing why should your reader see your position as the strongest Conclusion (approximately 100 words about 1 paragraph) ï¨ Summarize what you wrote in one or two sentences ï¨ Conclude with one of the following techniques: Call to action Question to provoke thought Final fact, statistic, claim, or prediction Relevant quotation or incident Striking image Personal narrative English 2: Critical Analysis And Intermediate Composition Ms. Blackwell Literary Art as Activism In the poem The Rose that Grew from Concrete, rapper Tupac Shakur argues that concrete may challenge a rose’s ability to grow, but it does not prevent growth. Educator and social scientist Jeff DuncanAndrade in the TEDx presentation Growing Roses in Concrete refers to this growth against the odds as tenacity, and he extends Tupac’s argument to say that if the concrete must be navigated, each single rose has an improved chance of thriving if there’s a collective community working together. Activism, by definition, requires a collective community. Tupac himself became an activist, and this value was instilled in him by his mother. Afeni Shakur was an active member of the Black Panther Party, a militant social reform group. As a matter of fact, according to the article Tupac Shakur Biography on Biography.com which is dedicated to preserve our nations history, highlight our veterans, provide mentorship opportunities for young people, support women and girls and celebrate our diverse cultures, during her pregnancy with Tupac, Afeni was in an active court case having been charged with what is now considered domestic terrorism. Her crime was the belief in the power of collective agency to force change, and consequently her definition of the alleged crime would be activism. Considering his rise through the concrete, Tupacs activism took a non-traditional and controversial form, rap music. Yet, Tupac’s place in American history is solidified, supporting the notion that literary art is activism.
