Harlem Renaissance Assignment ACA-A
Over the next few days we will learn about the artistic and social movement of
African-Americans in the early 20th century: the Harlem Renaissance. Some topics and
concepts we will discuss include the New Negro movement, the idea of “twoness,” and the
American Dream. For this particular assignment, you will respond to the prompt below. You
can select as many texts as you see fit. This is not a traditional essay though, it is a skeletal
essay. Similar to an outline, you will have your thesis, evidence, and topic sentences laid out.
You will also include a few lines of analysis. Use the attached skeletal graphic organizer. I
will be collecting this and only this paper. You will complete the majority of this in-class
when we finish our unit next week. I have also attached a copy of the rubric.
Prompt: How is the American Dream perceived by early-twentieth century AfricanAmerican authors? After reading selected texts from the Harlem Renaissance, write an essay
that defines the challenges faced by this group and explain its concept/ perception of the
American dream? Support your discussion with evidence from the text(s). What
implications can you draw?
Texts:
1.
2.
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6.
7.
“Harlem” by Langston Hughes
“I, too” Langston Hughes
“Tableau” by Countee Cullen
“America” by Claude McKay
“If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
“A Black Man Talks of Reaping” by Arna Bontemps
Chapter 1 from The Souls of Black Folk by W.E. DuBois
NOTE:
- Your thesis will come from this question  How is the American Dream perceived
by early-twentieth century African-American authors?
- Your evidence and analysis will support this  Define the challenges faced by
African-Americans and explain their concept/ perception of the American dream?
Thesis: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Topic Sentence:_______________________________________________________________________________
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Attach 1st Quote to a Sentence:________________________________________________________________
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Analyze/Connect Quote to thesis:____________________________________________________________
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Attach 2nd Quote to a Sentence:________________________________________________________________
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Analyze/Connect Quote to thesis:____________________________________________________________
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Attach 3rd Quote to a Sentence:________________________________________________________________
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Analyze/Connect Quote to thesis:____________________________________________________________
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Conclusion – (What implications/conclusions can you draw from your thesis?):
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