The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

162 “Black and Blue: Dispelling the Myth of Racism in Avatar” by Leah Rachel Bode Instructor’s Notes The position paper required students to defend a position about a film of their choice from a group of instructor-selected films. Though the thesis did not have to be limited to one sentence, it was required to state the student’s position and to forecast the paper’s direction. Students were to incorporate various kinds of evidence and to acknowledge and counter opposing arguments. In her paper Leah Rachel chose to defend Avatar against claims of implicit racism. Locate her thesis, and notice how its “forecast” section actually outlines the paper’s organization and development. Note also how Leah Rachel carefully explains and then refutes opposing arguments before establishing support for her position about the film. Stylistically, Leah Rachel’s paper is replete with vivid word choices: circle some of those that you find especially strong. Writers’ Biography LeahRachel Bodewill be a senior nursingmajor at Cedarville University. After graduating, she hopes to pursue midwifery and one day serve God as a medical missionary. She loves the Lord, babies, friends and scrapbooking. Black and Blue: Dispelling the Myth of Racism in Avatar In 2009, James Cameron’s Avatar stunned the world with its brilliantly-crafted animation, groundbreaking effects, and cutting-edge technology. Because Avatar demanded more than $230 million and four years of arduous labor to complete, it is no surprise that it received three Oscars in addition to fifty-four other awards (Ebert, “Avatar”). Taking place in 2154, the story focuses on the indigenous population called the Na’vi who lives harmoniously on the planet of Pandora. When word reaches Earth that Pandora possesses unobtainium, the rock that can sell for $20 million a kilo, scientists and military personnel attack the planet.