To best understand how gender affects communication (and vice versa), this short reflective essay asks you to turn your lens inward to explore your own gender identity and development. This essay requires that you consider how you know yourself as a gendered person and the formative experiences that contributed to your current gender identity. You should consider your own gender, sex, sexuality, race, class, age, and other identity factors as well as education, workplace, family life, and other environmental factors that influence who you are.
This is a personal essay and therefore you can use personal pronouns (“I”). It does not require any outside research. Instead, consider how you have constructed your own concept of gender over time, how it has changed, and how you communicate your gendered identity to the outside world. You may refer to concepts from the course materials as well. Of course, include only what you feel comfortable including in a personal essay (note: essays will remain confidential). This is really a self-reflection to get you thinking about how factors in your personal and public-facing environments influence your identity. Also consider how your identity changes based on where you are: at home, at work, at school, at the gym, etc.
Sample Essay Structure:
Paragraph 1: Introduction that states the purpose of your essay and provides a roadmap for the essay structure
Paragraph 2: Overview of Your Intersectional Identities (minimum of 3)
Paragraph 3-6: Exploration of each facet of identity individually (one paragraph each)
Paragraph 7–9: Analysis of how parts of your identity intersect in different times/spaces
Paragraph 10: Conclusion explaining what you have discovered through this reflective exercise
The essay should be 4 pages (appx. 1000 words) and follow standard essay formatting: 12pt font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. I have provided a sample student essay for guidance, but obviously your essay should be personal to you.
