In her book Are Prisons Obsolete? Angela Davis makes a strong and, some would say,
controversial argument regarding the need to abolish prisons and replace them with “a constellation of
alternative strategies and institutions” (107). To make this argument, Davis uses a number of different
approaches, including statistics, scholarly research, quotes from different experts, historical sources, and
her own personal experience and the personal experiences of others, among other techniques. Your focus
in this essay will be on what Angela Davis says in her argument, but also, just as important, how she
expresses these things as a writer.
Your assignment is to write about some of the techniques used by Davis to build her argument; how
exactly she brings these different techniques together to make a larger argument in the book; and
whether or not you think she uses each of these techniques effectively and as a result makes a
convincing argument.
After your introductory paragraph, you should begin your essay by briefly summarizing what you see as
Davis’ main argument in Are Prisons Obsolete? (this summary should be no longer than one paragraph
long). Next, in the body of your essay, you should cite, explain, and analyze at least three specific
quotes from her book, looking in detail at the ways that she builds her argument in each of these
passages. Here are some questions you can think about asking for your analysis
How does Angela Davis use quotations from other books and articles?
How does she use information from other experts?
How does she use first-hand accounts of her own experiences, or the personal experiences of
others?
How does she use statistics?
How does she use historical information?
How does she use the arguments of those who might disagree with her?
With each of these approaches, be sure to also answer the question: Does she use this approach or
technique effectively?
As you move towards your conclusion, you should start to answer an important question: Do you find
Angela Davis’ overall argument in Are Prisons Obsolete? to be effective? Why or why not? Be
specific and give examples that will help you support your argument
In other words, I will expect you to work closely with specific passages from Davis’ book throughout this
essay, but I also want you to bring in your own point of view regarding how effectively she uses different
techniques, and especially how persuasive you find her argument to be as a result
While your essay should focus primarily on Are Prisons Obsolete? you should also bring at least one of
the other texts we will be reading during the first weeks of this class into the conversation. These texts
are:
Mariame Kaba, “”Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police”
Angela Wright, “How Armed Police Ofticers on Campus Have Become a Ubiquitous Part of
American College Life
There are a number of ways that you might use one or more of these other texts in your essay. For
example, you might find points from one or more of these articles that agree with and support Angela
Davis` argument; on the other hand, you might find points from one or more articles that disagree with
and contradict Davis” book. You might also compare and contrast some of the approaches taken by these
other writers with Davis’ approach; in making this comparison, you can give your point of view about
which of these readings you found to be most effective, and why
