Background:
In “Devil’s Bait,” Leslie Jamison explores the suffering caused by Morgellons disease, a condition that medical science has been unable to verify. What is real, Jamison makes clear, is the suffering of those who have this sickness. Her essay, then, becomes an exploration of empathy and compassion for others, as well as the social contexts that shape how we believe and are believed: a very timely reflection in the midst of a global pandemic.
Assignment:
- Write an essay in which you consider how we experience the social impact of illness.Make an argument about how identity shapes our experience of illness, and/or how our experience of illness shapes our identity.How have you experienced or witnessed the social impacts of illness, including issues of visibility, credibility, stigma, etc.? How has it helped you understand the ways in which identity shapes the experience of illness? Use specific details from your own experiences as well as details from Jamison’s essay for support.
- Your essay should depend primarily on our assigned readings and your own experiences and knowledge; outside sources are not necessary, though you should provide citations for any information, words or ideas that come from another source. Make connections to Jamison’s essay through the use of quotes that help you consider how our understanding of a disease and those who suffer from it shapes our response.
Formatting and Requirements:
Your essay should:
- be 4-5 pages in length
- include a Works Cited page (the 5th page can be your Works Cited page, with 4 full pages written)
- be double-spaced
- be typed in Times New Roman font
- have 1-inch margins (on all sides)
- include Your name, my name, class and date in the upper left corner of the 1st page
- Format your essay according to MLA guidelines (see above).
- You must use quotes from the reading to support your argument
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