The assignment was to compare and contrast Frederick Douglass’s and Malcolm X’s attitudes and approaches to education. Then, write an essay that argues my position on the extent to which Douglass’s and X’s claims about education are valid.

What I learned in the processor writing the essay was the importance of a thesis statement, using specific evidence, and commenting on evidence. A thesis provides a clear and concise statement of the main idea or argument that the author intends to prove or discuss in their work. The significance of a thesis is a guiding framework, helping both the writer and the reader navigate through topics. Without a thesis, a piece of writing lacks focus and direction, making it challenging for the audience to grasp the author's intentions.

Evidence is critical in understanding the importance of a thesis. When an author presents supporting evidence throughout their work, it demonstrates their ability to substantiate their claims and build a strong argument. The presence of evidence, whether in the form of data, research findings, expert opinions, or examples, lends credibility to the thesis statement. It shows that the author has done their research and can back up their opinions with information. Moreover, evidence allows readers to assess the validity of the thesis and form their own opinions based on the presented facts. Lastly commenting on evidence helps to explain the evidence they used in their writing.

The goal of the assignment was to create a one-pager that summarizes the first part of the book by featuring Wiesel’s quote and surrounding it with quotes, images, and symbols that demonstrate how the book transformed Henrietta Lacks from an abstraction to a person with her own universe of secrets, treasures, anguish, and triumph.

This essay is based off my position on the value of reparation to Henrietta Lacks family. The suggested writing time was 55 mins.