As Diana Hacker notes, “All good writing about literature attempts to answer a question, spoken or unspoken, about the text” (646): “Why is ‘Araby’ a story of initiation?” “In what ways does Raymond Carver’s ‘What we talk about when we talk about love’ explore different concepts of love?” A concise and insightful literature paper should answer such questions with a “meaningful interpretation, presented forcefully and persuasively” (646).
Before you start composing your paper, please reread the story you want to write about and ponder our online discussions; maybe brainstorm before you create your outline.
The final draft of your paper should be a 3- to 4-page essay (12 point font, 1” margins, double-spaced) that analyzes in depth “Everyday Use.”
Paper Topic:
Critics have pointed out that Alice Walker’s short story “Everyday Use” portrays female empowerment. In your essay, please create an argument that supports or questions that assumption.
Key Features:
An introduction that leads gracefully to the thesis. Your introduction should give a definition of feminism and briefly elaborate on feminism within the African American community (Oxford English Dictionary; SMC online database) .
Please make sure that your thesis will answer the central question you have asked about the work. Your thesis should be analytical and concentrate in a nutshell what you wish to emphasize – your central idea, the point you want to make about your topic. Your thesis should be as specific as possible and foreshadow the body paragraphs.
The body should elaborate your thesis, providing evidence in form of textual support. The body paragraphs should be appropriately organized, including use of clear topic sentences. The paragraphs should be in logical order and use transitions to show links between ideas.
Analysis and interpretation that is supported with specific textual evidence from the short story (minimum four quotes or references to the short story). Please document your source by using the MLA format (compare “Writing About Literature” handout; chapter on MLA in our textbook).
A conclusion that provides closure to the essay and considers the implication of your argument.
MLA Style (heading, margins, title, line spacing, page numbering, parenthetical citation, and a Works Cited Page).
Observance of the conventions of standard written English.
Assignments:
Outline Due: 03/02
Create a detailed outline of your essay that contains a thesis, topic sentences for your body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Submit your outline in Week 3/Unit 1, W/shopOutl#1.
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