Essay Task: Write about a 3-4-full page MLA formatted essay on the following
prompt:
To critically and rhetorically analyze these themes, we can use postmodernist and
poststructuralist lenses by focusing on critical theories such as deconstructionism
and rhetorical approaches like satire. In Charles Yu’s novel, Interior Chinatown,
how do these perspectives challenge its traditional narrative and structure? How
does Yu use satire to challenge and break down racial stereotypes and
Institutional racism?
Start with an opener or a hook (anecdote, general statement, question,
quote) that introduces readers to your essay.
● Provide background information about your topic. In other words, before you present your thesis, give readers context of the topic. What do they need to know about the ideas of postmodernism, poststructuralism, black humor/satire, and deconstructionism in relation to your paper’s focus? Do you need to define any terms?
● Introduce Interior Chinatown and provide general details about the
importance of the nature of performance, assimilation, and identity in these
texts.
● Transition to your 3-level thesis that answers the following three questions:
○ A) In Charles Yu’s novel, Interior Chinatown, how do these perspectives
challenge its traditional narrative and structure?
○ B) How does Yu use satire to challenge and break down cultural
stereotypes and institutional racism?
○ C) How does the novel encourage readers to shift their thoughts and
perspectives of identity, culture, and the media?
Body Paragraphs (BPs):
● BP 1-2 should focus on support part A of your thesis:
○ Start with a topic sentence in which you identify how postmodernist
and poststructuralist theories challenge its traditional narrative and
structure in Interior Chinatown. Why do you think Charles Yu chose to
write in this particular style? What style/genre/mode of writing is it?
Does he blend other forms of writing? Is this a form of
deconstructionism? How so?
● BP 3-4 should explore one idea/reason that supports Part B of your
thesis where you’ll discuss how Charles Yu uses satire to challenge and
break down racial stereotypes and institutional racism.
○ BP needs a clear topic sentence and 2-3 examples (personal examples,
observations, examples of others, examples from our class texts using
quotes/paraphrase sandwiches).
■ Among these examples 3 need to come from Interior Chinatown
and secondary texts of this unit.
■ BONUS: You can use 1 quote sandwich from our secondary
articles from unit 1.
○ These BPs should follow the TEEAL structure.
A Reflective Conclusion: End your essay with a conclusion that addresses part C of the thesis. Avoid summarizing any points/ideas from the previous body paragraphs.
IMPORTANT: Don’t use any outside sources
MLA Formatted: your essay should be double-spaced, 12 size font, Times New Roman and 1 inch margins, and a work cited page.
