Adolescence is tough in any time period. The Eighties,
however, offered a unique set of circumstances for anyone passing through a
rite of passage (e.g. first jobs, proms, first cars, drugs, first kisses). With parents taking a
more hands-off approach than previous generations, school systems facing their
most severe funding cuts ever, and a society increasingly concerned with fulfilling
individual needs and whims, ‘80s adolescents came of age at a time when no one
was always “minding the store.” Though there were many downsides to this situation,
one upside was that ‘80s youth were allowed wide latitude to explore the ins
and outs of adolescence. And stories of youth from this time period often reflect that freedom.
For this final assignment, you will recount a coming
of age experience of a person who was an adolescent in the ‘80s. In a narrative
essay, you will tell his or her story: the settings, the emotions, the
circumstances, the people. It is your job to bring back to life your subject’s
youth.
Instructions:
Interview someone who A) was a between 15-25 years old in
the ‘80s and B) experienced some rite of passage during that decade—preferably in
America
Translate that interview into a 3-page magazine-style narrative
essay that illustrates not only the pertinent information (time, place, etc.),
but resurrects a particular moment in time
Remember, you are retelling your subject's story, so strive to do be accurate, but also compelling
Keep in mind that though a narrative essay typically tells a
personal story from a first person perspective, it can be equally effective
when someone’s experience is recounted in the third person. For examples, look
below at stories from public radio’s This American Life:
The '80s were marked by big personalities, people who left their mark in fields as diverse as politics, entertainment, and sports. For this assignment, you will
create an infographic illustrating the impact of a major '80s news maker. In constructing your infographic, consider not only
the cultural impact of this individual, but also how he or she helped shape the decade. Additionally, include
relevant biographical information to help contextualize this person’s
contributions.
Choose one of the following '80s news makers to profile in your infographic:
Nelson Mandela, political activist
Andrew Lloyd Webber, musical theater composer
HRH Sarah, Duchess of York, British royal
Bill Gates, tech pioneer
Keith Haring, artist
Greg Louganis, Olympic diver
Lt. Col. Oliver North, Reagan Admin. NSC member
Geraldine Ferraro, first female Vice-Presidential candidate
Infographics are most easily utilized in PowerPoint (or a comparable
program. Additionally, if you are experienced in it, you may also
utilize Photoshop. This assignment must be delivered electronically.
Requirements:
Include a works cited page
A well-executed infographic will:
Have a title that articulates the goal of the assignment
Have a concise thesis as the subheading—important
Have a concise controlling argument dictating the design
Visually translate perspectives and facts in a clear and
enlightening manner
Stay within the parameters of a profile of a major '80s news maker
Due: Tu 11.22 (DRAFT 1: BRING 2 COPIES); Th 12.8 (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL BY 5 PM)
Teenagers of the ‘80s had one thing millennials didn’t: an auteur dedicated to capturing the teen experience. In fact, John Hughes’ films, which he either produced, wrote, or directed, became American cultural icons. Today, these films-namely Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), and Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)—serve as chronicles of ‘80s adolescence. Twenty-first century teens don’t have the benefit of such films. Instead, this era’s comedies have skewed more adult (e.g. The 40-Year-Old Virgin, The Hangover). While an occasional teen movie comes along (e.g. Super Bad, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist), none have managed to attain iconic statuses the way Hughes’ films did. What are today’s teens missing out on? What’s the value of having your adolescence reflected on the big screen? In a concise editorial, explore the impact of Hughes’ movies on the ‘80s and the void left in teen cinema today. Cite exclusively from Gora's You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried to support your thesis.
Remember, an editorial expresses an opinion on a current issue. It may take a formal or informal tone, but its primary goal is always to persuade readers. Because editorials were born in newspapers, they are traditionally succinct in form and can often carry the "voice" of the author.
Below are a series of recent editorials from around the country:
