INSTRUCTIONS:
Write a paper that argues for the following thesis, using analysis of specific textual evidence, in the form of quotations and paraphrase, from BOTH Baldwin’s “The Creative Process” and Lorde’s “Poetry is not a Luxury.” James Baldwin’s “The Creative Process” (1962) and Audre Lorde’s “Poetry is Not a Luxury” (1977) both show the importance of looking inwardly as a necessary first step to effecting change. Baldwin, however, more heavily emphasizes this process as one that should ultimately extend outward to benefit society, while Lorde presents it as a more personal, spiritual undertaking. Your essay MUST use the thesis statement above and is responsible for proving all of the claims made in that thesis statement. Your essay MUST use specific evidence from both texts to prove its claims. Any paragraph not the thesis paragraph or conclusion MUST analyze at least one quotation. Quotations cannot be more than 4 sentences long. Your essay MUST be at least 750 words, not counting the header and works cited sections. Your essay MUST follow all MLA style guidelines, including in-text citations and a works cited section. Any material not properly cited is plagiarized: the assignment will receive a 0 and will be reported to the college. Your essay MUST NOT use any sources other than James Baldwin’s “The Creative Process” and Audre Lorde’s “Poetry is Not a Luxury.” No study guides, spark notes, encyclopedia entries, or anything else.