Canadian Society and Identity Preparation for End of Unit Cumulative Essay

What did we learn this unit? What do you remember about: -Multiculturalism and Immigration -First Nations in Canada -Women in Canada -Canadian political identity -Canadian culture -Any other significant aspects of Canadian society and identity?

Cumulative Assignment: Essay What will it be on? -What it means to you to be a Canadian; your personal definition of Canadian identity -Describe how Canadian identity has evolved over time with reference to specific evidence from the course -Assess the current state of Canadian identity and society, what you predict for the future, and what you would like to see in the future Basics: -5 to 7 pages long -12 point font, double-spaced

Primary Criteria: -Defending your argument -You need to have a thesis or essential argument which is presented within your first paragraph, and which the rest of your essay defends and supports -Organization and expression: -A new paragraph for a new idea, with topic sentences -Introduction and Conclusion paragraphs -Formal and persuasive language -Use of evidence: -Support ideas and opinions with reference to specific events and facts. Use class notes, the textbook, other resources from class, and your own research outside of class.

How to Write a Thesis Statement: -One or two sentences -In your first paragraph -Identifies your main argument that you will carry throughout your essay Rank these thesis statement examples from the best to worst: 1.I believe that being a Canadian means being peaceful, tolerant, and celebrating diversity. 2.Canadian identity is often depicted in an idealized manner as tolerant, peaceful, multicultural, and progressive. I will argue that our history shows both that we have failed to live up to these ideals on numerous occasions and that we have made positive advances toward fulfilling these values. 3. Canada is a multicultural country and more kind than the United States. Travellers put Canadian flags on their backpacks because they know they will be more respected around the world.

How do you support your arguments? Rank these sentences from best to worst: 1.The scale of media produced by the United States has presented a challenge to Canadian culture and identity. Canadians watch, listen to, and read American media to an extent that many Canadians are more aware of American culture than of our own. This concern contributed to the creation of the CRTC to ensure a certain minimum amount of Canadian content. (167) 2.Canadians watch a lot of American TV shows and movies. We listen to American music and probably know more American celebrities and politicians than we do our own. This makes it hard to build and retain our own identity. 3.What it means to be a Canadian is greatly influenced by the U.S. because “Canadian children grew up knowing more about U.S. culture and values than any generation before them. In 1968, the federal government established the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). This agency would regulate the amount of foreign material broadcast over the airwaves and impose rules requiring Canadian content.”

Remember… -Don’t just state your opinion: find evidence to support it -Cite your sources -Use some quotations, but do not use very long ones or too many – try to put as much as possible into your own words -Your introductory paragraph cannot just list facts. You have to state what you will be arguing and how.