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After choosing ONE of the questions below (or one of your own that you
have run by me before writing the rough draft), write an essay which
answers it. This is an argumentative essay, so you need to
include a clear thesis which states your point, and the three or four
reasons (taken from the story you're writing about) which led you to
your point.
For your first rough draft, you should focus just on
your own ideas and the work itself: in other words, no outside research
– though you will be quoting from the story or stories or novel.
Your paragraphs should be constructed around your
reasons, and each should offer examples from the story to prove the
validity of your claim, and then a clear and detailed explanation of
how and why these examples support the claim in your
paragraph.
While this essay must include at least two secondary
sources (see Glossary),
the main emphasis is on your own thinking: the research doesn't
determine what you say in your essay – you do. The quotations
from literary critics, or the author's letters, or other books from the
time period will support your own ideas.
A minimum of 1250 words is required (no maximum), as are two outside
sources (correctly documented following the MLA parenthetical
documentation style). You are expected to run the rough draft
by me before you begin adding sources.
NOTE: Everybody loves using the internet
for sources. One problem: not the best place for research on
literature.
CAUTION: No sources from the “open”
internet (i.e. accessed via Google, AOL search, etc.) can be used in
this essay. Doing so will result in an automatic D.
The internet sources that you may use are accessed via the Library Link
on the course site. See “Secondary Sources”on the
Course Documents page for descriptions
of the databases.
Be sure you have read and understood the definitions of an essay,
thesis and division statement, topic sentences, introduction, and
conclusion included in “Dr.
Bordelon’s Glossary.” See the Thesis and Topic Sentences page for suggestions and examples of . . . thesis and topic sentences.
Follow the suggestions on the Revision and
Proofreading suggestion page. Remember to check with me if
you have any questions or concerns.
Remember that while your final draft must include
secondary sources, the bulk of your quotes/examples must be from the
primary source/s. If your essay contains only a few quotes
from the primary source, your grade will reflect this lack of work with
the issue at hand – namely, the story/novel itself.
- A question of your own approved
by me before rough draft is due.
- It’s obvious that through his various experiences,
Candide, in Candide, learns a great
deal. Write an essay that focuses on what you believe is the
most important lesson (note that this is singular) Candide learns.
Be sure to state clearly in your thesis exactly what you
think Candide learns (and probably add a definition), and use the body
of your essay to prove your point.
- After defining what a tragic hero is, argue for or
against Okonkwo being thus labeled.
- What makes things fall apart in Achebe's novel?
- How does Kafka critique capitalism in his novel?
- How is Gregor's metamorphosis into vermin symbolic of
his earlier state? Consider this in terms of his family, work,
self-image, and/or setting. You could even concentrate on
just one of these ideas to prove your point. Early in the
essay, you should define your working definition
of vermin – which doesn’t have to be a strict dictionary definition.
Note: with this question you must play detective and
make inferences about his treatment by others and his own understanding
about himself from comments by Gregor and the narrator.
Remember, you are arguing that before he changed
he was treated or considered vermin. Therefore, you must use
words (before, previous, etc.) to let the reader know what phase you
are talking about – and your examples should cover events or actions
before his change. - Camus'
novel is often read as an expression of existentialism. Is it
true? Write an essay that proves or disproves this idea.
Note: going against the grain often yields richer work.
- The Stranger reveals ____ about _____. Take your pick and fill in the blanks.
- The Meursalt Investigation obviously draws inspiration from The Stranger. How does it challenge the earlier text?
- How can we read The Meursalt Investigation independent from the The Stranger? What does it reveal?
- How does "The Death of Ivan Iyllch" reflect 21st century America?
- How is the The Joy of Motherhood a bitterly ironic title?
- How can The Joy of Motherhood be read as a response to Things Fall Apart?
- ___'s themes are also seen in modern America.
- A question of your own approved
by me before rough draft is due.
To receive a passing grade, you must successfully
complete the following:
Organization:
Have a clear thesis statement which suggests how a particular question
is valid. You must also include a clear division statement which is
then developed in separate paragraphs with clear topic sentences.
Content:
Paragraphs that use specific quotes and examples from the story to
prove your point – AND a full and complete discussion on why and how
that particular quote or word proves your point. REMEMBER:
examples do not speak for themselves – the core of a good literary
essay is in your commentary and explanations of the examples.
Proofreading:
Sentences that are clear and no more than 5 major errors.
Correctly documented sources: at least three outside sources (such as
literary criticism, letters of the author, interviews, other works by
the author) are needed. Major errors include sentence fragments, run-on
sentences, verb-tense error, subject-verb agreement error, unclear
phrasing/tangled wording, documentation, formatting, and spelling/wrong
word error.
© 2018 David Bordelon
Flotsam and Jetsam from previous semesters What is a connection between the Asian and European
literatures we've read? What's a difference? Choosing one work from
each region and compare or contrast.
- Madame Bovary is a hybrid text:
it contains aspects of Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism and
Symbolism. Using the definitions in the textbook as your
guide, argue for the novel’s inclusion in one particular aesthetic
movement: i.e. prove the novel is a romantic, realistic, naturalistic,
or symbolist work.
- Does Flaubert criticize, sympathize, validate or
_____ Madame Bovary? Choose one (this will be your thesis), and then
argue how the novel supports this (your divisions).
Given the proliferation of “reality” television and
“made for television” wars, has Six Characters in Search of
an Author lost its shock value? Write an essay
arguing that yes, it has lost its novelty, or that no, it still retains
the ability to shock audiences out of their complacency. Be
sure to cite both from the text and to use specific examples from other
literature or from life to prove your point.
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