The Persistence of Gender Myths in Math

Main Article: “The Persistence of Gender Myths in Math”

Length: 1000 – 1200 words

1. Objective

The Extended Critical Response Essay is your third formal assignment for this course, which builds on and extends the skills you practiced in the Summary and Critical Response Essays. In this essay you will respond critically to an article with your own views on the issue it discusses, like you did in the Critical Response Essay, but you will support your position using evidence from multiple sources. To do this you will need to think synthetically, making meaningful connections among the texts you will choose to use as supporting evidence for your response. You will respond critically to Rosalind Chait Barnett and Caryl Rivers’ article “The Persistence of Gender Myths in Math” and you will support your response with evidence from at least three of the following sources:

Pinker, Steven, “6 Gender Differences in Cognitive Abilities” (YouTube video)

AAUW (American Association of University Women) “The STEM Gap_Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math”

Colleen Ganley and Sarah Lubienski. “Current Research on Gender Differences”

World Economic Forum. “In Countries with Higher Gender Equality, Women Are Less Likely to Get STEM Degrees”

Francesca Gino & Alison Wood Brooks. “Explaining Gender Differences at the Top”

Lara Perez-Felkner. “The Key to Fixing the Gender Gap in Math and Science”

1. Prompt

In their article, Barnett and Rivers present theories to explain the difference in mathematical achievement between males and females, questioning the notion of innate male superiority.

To what extend do you agree with the authors’ argument that cultural influence (gender stereotypes) is the only reason why few females choose math or science fields?

You will argue your position towards Barnett and Rivers’ views (agreeing, disagreeing, or some of both) by using evidence from the above list of sources, and by drawing from your own personal experience and observations, if you wish (it’s not mandatory in this essay).

1. Tips on preparing to write the essay

• Identify the authors’ main argument and decide on your position towards it (Review TSIS, Ch. 4)
• Select specific points from their article you agree or disagree with. What are the strengths and/or weaknesses of their argument?
• Read again the articles your will use for supporting evidence in search of details that support your thesis.
• Brainstorm for particular examples from your experience/observations if you want to use them as additional supporting evidence.
• After deciding on your thesis and the evidence you will use to support it, you will draw an outline to organize your points. (See SF Ch. 3d3, pp 43-44, and outline template provided).
• Consider my feedback to your written assignments in preparation for this essay.
• Choose a working title for your 1^st draft. Try a two-part title that is catchy and reflects the content of the article and perhaps the author’s thesis (See Ch. 3e, How do you choose a title? in The Scott Foresman). You may revise your title in the final draft.

1. Writing the Essay

• Begin your introductory paragraph with some eye-catching opening remarks (a “hook”) that emphasize the importance of the issue you will be writing about. Then introduce the article you will respond to (title, author, publication place and date) and briefly summarize (in 3-4 sentences) the authors’ main argument. You don’t need to introduce and summarize your supporting sources here. You will introduce each of them and briefly summarize them the 1st time you use each of them in the body paragraphs. You could, however, mention in your thesis statement that you will support your response with evidence from other sources, which confirms your views. End your introduction with your thesis statement as a response to the authors’ main argument; in other words, you need to state clearly in one or two sentences whether you agree, disagree, or partly agree and disagree with Barnett and Rivers including  particular points of the authors that you will respond to in the body paragraphs. The order you will present the points your respond to, should reflect the order you stated these points in your thesis.

• Begin each of your body paragraphs with a) a transitional phrase or sentence that connects it smoothly with the previous paragraph, b) a clear topic sentence that identifies a point of Barnett and Rivers that you want to critique and indicates your position on it. For example:  “The authors’ point that…is/is not persuasive because…” The order you will present the points your respond to, should reflect the order you stated these points in your thesis.

• The rest of your paragraph will c) explain in your own words why you agree/disagree with the authors’ point, and d) provide evidence from at least one of your secondary sources to support your point.

As explained above, the first time you use a source, you should fully introduce it and briefly explain what this source is about. You can also provide further support for your topic sentence from your own experience or observations, if applicable (See Ch. 4 and 5 in TSIS).

The evidence you will use from your sources will be quoted and paraphrased. Make sure you introduce each quotation or paraphrase using appropriate signal verbs, integrate it smoothly in your own writing, explain it in order to show its relation to the point it is supporting (“quotation sandwich”), and cite it parenthetically using MLA. (Review TSIS Chapter 3 and Deree Website: Library>Research Help>Citing Sources>MLA).

1. Conclude your essay by referring again to the article you are responding to and re-emphasizing your thesis. End your conclusion with an interesting/challenging thought, a recommendation, or a prediction for the future.

• At the end of your essay, under the heading Works Cited, provide full bibliographic information for each source you have used in your essay in alphabetical order using MLA style (use Easybib or another citation tool)

• Requirements and Practical Guidelines

• Length: 1000 – 1200 words (state word count on the first page of your essay).

• Appearance of your essay: Both drafts should follow the MLA Manuscript and Format Requirements (see handout on Bb > Handouts)

• 1^st draft due date:, typed, double spaced, following manuscript format requirements (see handout on Bb).

• Final Essay due date: typed, double spaced, following manuscript format requirements (see handout on Bb).

• Method of submission: Blackboard & Turnitin

To receive a grade for this essay you must submit your 1^st and 2^nd drafts as well as all of your pre-writing on the above specified dates. Refer to the Rubrics for marking and grading this essay. Late work will be downgraded (Review the policy about late submission in the DEREE WRITING PROGRAM STUDENT HANDBOOK). The final draft of the Extended Critical Response Essay receives 35% of your final grade for the course.