“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates
ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
Writing Prompt: When considering the plot of Joyce Carol Oates’s short story
“Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” who should be blamed for Connie’s
ultimate fate? Defend who should be blamed, even if it is more than one culprit.
Be sure to establish exactly who you will blame in your thesis statement. Select reasons
why and explain with full explanation and textual support. Quotes from the reading in
accurate MLA in-text citation format are required. Additionally, a work cited page for
this story is also required. It is your responsibility to write that in accurate MLA format.
Suggested Paragraph Breakdown:
I. Introduction: Offer a hook, introduce the reading by author and title, offer a brief
summary of the story, and lead into your thesis
Il. Focus on your first reason or first person who should be blamed: support with
explanations, details from the story, and quotes for support. Don’t forget to
delve into who these characters are in order to defend your position further.
III. Focus on your second reason or next character to be blamed: support with
explanations, details, and quotes.
IV. Offer a third reason or person to blame. Support with explanations, details,
and quotes.
V.
Conclusion: Possible idea: Why do you think Oates wrote this story? Is there a
lesson? What could have been the author’s motivation? Share ideas.
