Essay #1:  What Is Gender Identity?

BACKGROUND

Over the past few weeks, we have read and discussed several articles regarding “gender identity,” including Sommers’ “The Fragile American Girl Myth;” Kuczynski’s “Women’s Magazines Flip Past Feminism;” Katz’s, “How Boys Become Men;” Pollitt’s “Why Boys Don’t Play with Dolls;” and Gould’s “X:  A Fabulous Child’s Story.”  Using these articles as a starting point, we have examined how gender identity is formed in American society, and we have looked at the consequences of gender identity both for individuals, and for society as a whole. 

According to Dictionary.com, the following are accepted definitions of gender identity:

1. gender identity n. A person's sense of being male or female, resulting from a combination of genetic and environmental influences.

2. gender identity n.  The totality of physical and behavioral traits that are designated by a culture as masculine or feminine.

3. gender identity n. Your identity as it is experienced with regard to your individuality as male or female; awareness normally begins in infancy and is reinforced during adolescence.

We can see from these definitions that “gender identity” is not determined solely by biological forces.  Although one’s “physical traits” as male or female are biologically determined, one’s “behavioral traits” are generally accepted to be a result of one’s culture or environment.  But, what are these social forces?  How do they affect us as individuals?  Is their influence positive or negative, or both? How have we, as individuals and a society, dealt with these forces? These are the kinds of questions you will be addressing in this essay, as you attempt to write an extended definition of gender identity—one that goes far beyond what Dictionary.com has to offer.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Write an essay of extended definition that explains all aspects of “gender identity” as you come to understand them through your own personal experience, and through our class discussions of the five articles assigned so far.  Discuss how “gender identity” is formed in American society, the effects/consequences of “gender identity” on individuals and society, and the ways individuals and society have reacted to or dealt with these effects/consequences.  Be sure to use examples from the articles and from your personal experience as necessary to support your claims. 

This essay should be approximately 4 pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font, and in MLA format.

EXPECTATIONS

In class, we have discussed several writing concepts, and I expect you to demonstrate knowledge of these concepts in your drafts.  We have discussed summary and narrative as tools for writing.  These writing tools allow you to give necessary background information, to demonstrate knowledge of the readings, to connect personally with the topic, and to use specific examples (personal and textual) to support your claims. 

We have also discussed writer-based vs. reader-based prose.  We have examined the uses and characteristics of each, and have practiced turning writer-based prose into reader-based prose.  Particularly in your second drafts, I expect you to strive toward reader-based prose, making sure that your writing is clearly focused, effectively organized, sufficiently developed, and meaningful to your readers. 

Finally, we have discussed strategies for revision.  I expect you to take both the workshop and your personal revision very seriously.  You should give detailed and helpful feedback to your peers.  Also, I expect you to use your peers’ comments to improve your work.  I expect to see significant, deep revision between your first and second drafts. 

DUE DATES

First Draft Due: Tuesday, February 15 at the beginning of class.  (No late first drafts accepted) You will participate in a peer revision workshop on this day.  Bring copies of your submission length draft for each of your group members, and one copy for me.  You will also turn in your pre-writing activity with this draft.  Failure to turn in the above will hurt your grade, and will cause you to lose valuable feedback necessary for revision.

Second Draft Due: Tuesday, February 22 at the beginning of class.  Turn in both drafts of your essay, along with the revision response forms your peers completed for you.  Late second drafts will receive no credit, and will result in five points off your final grade.  Failure to turn in a second draft will result in automatic failure of this course. 

Review the policies for late and missing assignments in your course syllabus.