This essay, worth 20% of your overall grade (200 points/1,000), regards only Corey Robin’s The Enigma of Clarence Thomas. Using arguments and evidence only from Corey Robin’s The Enigma
of Clarence Thomas nothing else – in your essay, you should have a clearly stated thesis at the end of your brief introduction. The body that follows should weave your arguments and evidence together to answer clearly the prompt you choose from below. For citations of your evidence, place in parentheses the place where you are citing Robin, “Robin” and the page # (e.g., Robin, 125). Papers that draw from more of the book rather than less will receive higher grades. Please
avoid as many as possible exact quotations, and especially lengthy ones, from Robin. Put things in your own words. Your essay, written in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced must not exceed 1,000 words. Essays that contain more than 100 words fewer, or 100 words or more over, may be penalized. It will be judged based on the criteria found in the grading rubric, which can be found on Canvas, in the “Robin GE Portfolio Essay” module, “Grading Rubric for GE Portfolio Essay.” It will also be evaluated on the degree of perfection you attain in the use of your evidence and arguments. When turning the paper in, make sure to print out the rubric, write your name in the appropriate box, and staple it to the top of the hard copy of your essay, as the first page. You do not need to turn in the rubric with your e-copy (instructions to follow, to be announced). Make sure to study carefully the rubric requirements. Your essay will be judged on all the elements mentioned there. You must also clearly state on your first page and the top of your rubric which prompt you are answering (e.g., “Prompt 1,” “Prompt 2,” “Prompt 3,” “Prompt 4”). You must and may only write on one of these prompts. The exact due date/time can be found in an announcement on Canvas. Note that late papers will only be accepted until the day following the actual due date, 1159pm. Late papers will be reduced by 20% from the grade you otherwise would have earned. No papers after that will be accepted. Instructions as to how exactly to turn in your essay can be found in “Announcements” on the course Canvas page. Note: plagiarism of any sort will be punished – so don’t plagiarize. If you don’t know what plagiarism is, search the internet to find out. Though short quotes from the book could be necessary, they should be kept to a minimum. Use your own words whenever possible. Any detection of the use of AI will be considered as plagiarism. At a minimum, plagiarism and/or the use of AI will result in an F on the paper and may result in an F in the course. No “title page” is necessary. Write on only one of the following prompts:
1. Prompt 1: In what specific ways does CT embrace tough policing efforts? Why does he do so? How does doing so fit into his overall vision of how American society should be managed?
2. Prompt 2: Explain in what ways Robins argues CT is a “black nationalist,” and how this affects his jurisprudence. In doing so, make sure to distinguish between his nationalism and his conservatism, explaining precisely how, if he is both, how those strands of his thought differ.
3. Prompt 3: It would seem that Robins is making an argument that much of CT’s jurisprudence
emerges from his own personal experiences. Analyzing as many of such experiences as you can in the space provided, looking into at least 3, explain how this plays out in CT’s jurisprudence.
4. Prompt 4: CT, it would seem, despises a great deal about liberalism. Explain as well as you can why. What are his criticisms?
Grading Rubric
Followed instructions: turned in essay via Canvas, according to instructions
Length and formatting: 1000 words, a few more or less; 12-Point Times New Roman Font; double-spaced; 1” margins, pages numbered
Answers Prompt: The argument, evidence, and composition address each necessary aspect of the required prompt.
The introduction briefly and provocatively exposes the reader to the background and themes of the essay.
The thesis is clearly stated near the beginning of the essay makes clear sense, is specific, and
answers the prompt (if required).
Grammar, syntax, sentence structure, and prose style are clear and precise.
Punctuation is used correctly. The spelling is correct. Capitalization is appropriate.
The argument is perceptive, insightful, articulately organized, focused on subject, and effectively proves the thesis.
Uses appropriate and sufficient evidence from the required breadth and sophistication
of sources in support of the arguments, proving the thesis.
The conclusion summarizes the paper and reflects on the broader issues
addressed within.
When appropriate, correctly, completely, and consistently references necessary evidence.
