Some questions to stimulate your thinking as you respond to the prompt (you do NOT have to directly address these if you don’t want to):
In what ways can we self-fashion our own unique identity? In what ways do external forces attempt to mold our identities to conform with an ideal or norm?
What complications arise from trying to deny the identity that you feel you truly have?
How can we reconcile who we are with who others want us to be? How can we insist on “being ourselves”?
When we identify with a role model, style, etc., are we making moves to cultivate or express our own identity, or are we conforming? How do we know?
What techniques or strategies are used to construct and enforce identity categories?
When is the enforcement of an identity category intentional versus a bi-product of one’s cultural/social environment? How do the techniques of enforcement vary between these two situations?
Why might conforming to these categories or stereotypes be appealing or even necessary?
What are the different forms that complicity can take? How do you know when you’re part of the problem?
An original argument, made by you—what are you adding to the conversation?
The use of evidence from the text to support your claims
Connective thinking—pieces of evidence from the text should be in conversation with one another to show how they “speak to” your own point
Analysis and interpretation of the parts of the text you are using as evidence: what does this evidence do, and why is it important enough for you to have chosen it as evidence?
