I really like the idea of Post #4-- looking at the book which compares both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.  Another idea would be to compare that book with Malcolm X's own autobiography that he authored with Alex Haley: The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Given the link is missing, I would suggest a great novel on both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X (Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare). The novel tells of the differences between the ideology of both men. You could examine how one man's dream (King's) was another man's nightmare (Malcolm X).

As noted above, your link has not continued to appear in the Discussion Forum posts; neither has the link mentioned in Post #1 as a resource regarding your essay outline.

Malcolm X's early life experiences shaped his later actions and attitudes in critical ways. If it was allowed, I would find it interesting to trace what happened and how it affected him and compare with the formative experiences and later actions of another African American leader from that time period. There would be some real differences in thought patterns and activities based on those thoughts!

Could you perhaps repost the link as it seems to have disappeared in some way?  

As far as an essay goes, you might think about looking at Malcolm's "conversion" from the Nation of Islam style of Islam to a more mainstream Islamic faith after his trip to Mecca.  Maybe you could look at any changes that occurred in his public positions and comments and how you think that might have affected his legacy had he lived.