The essay needs to be between 1200 - 1500 words to meet a passing grade. However, it is imperative that you attempt to answer the prompt question in the best way possible. Therefore, it is okay if you go over the word limit by 500 additional words. You can write your paper in MLA or APA format (if you are interested in turning this paper into an academic paper, public paper, or future conference paper, then consider the APA format). Please note that no matter what prompt you choose, this is still an academic paper and is subject to the same academic standards expressed in the syllabus and student code of conduct. The prompts here are simply here to situate you in the time and space of the literary individuals, events, and themes pertinent to the course while also providing an avenue for us to "reimagine" how we approach research-based projects. PROMPT OPTION #1 You are a biographer who does interdisciplinary work. You are seeking to help make sense of a writer/artist from the Harlem Renaissance. Your job is to examine their life. Who were they? What was their upbringing like? What did they write (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.)? What kind of issues/themes did their work focus on? How did their work influence the Harlem Renaissance? Next, you are to conduct a textual analysis on one of their most important pieces within the African American literary canon. A textual analysis examines the language, themes, literary devices, characters, ideas, issues, and meaning(s) of a piece within the context of which it was written. Literary devices include but are not limited to analogies, allusions, diction, imagery, simile, symbolism, metaphor, tone, repetition, etc. Choose two or three literary devices to focus on in your paper. Next, you are to tell why such work was important or relevant within the time it was written. For example, how does the piece relate to the goals/interests of the New Negro, or engage the color-line, or wrestle with Double consciousness?