Essay to be based on the story – Joyce Carol Oates, “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” -Essay to have a definite and consistent structure -Essay to contain a definite introduction, body, and conclusion – Introduction to lead to a logical and into a clear thesis statement -Each paragraph of essay to contain a minimum of five to seven sentences -Each body paragraph of essay to develop one main point (each) -Essay to be clear, consistent, easy-to-follow path throughout the writing -To contain sufficient development of the main topic -Each body paragraph to contain specific, appropriate, and relevant supporting details. No any wandering, repetition, or drifting -In-text citations within the essay -A Works Cited page which lists all sources cited within the essay -What is the writer’s main idea (or thesis statement)? (This not only the topic but an assertion made about the topic—a statement which needs to be defended and supported and which indicates the path the essay will follow.) How well does the introduction lead into the thesis statement? -The main supporting points the writer makes in the body paragraphs to back up the thesis statement, at least two. -Conclusion to effectively wrap up the discussion -List at least two places where the writing grabs attention or is well worded. Why do these places stand out? -Literary terms (metaphor, symbol, setting, character, tone, etc.). -Conflict(s) rooted in gender, race, age, culture, workplace, and/or economic class -Societal “norms”: how do characters function within and/or rebel against their communities? -Male/female relationships -Manhood, womanhood: how do characters fit and not fit traditional gender roles? -Parental roles -How male and/or female characters deal with trauma or misfortune -Family relationships -Coming of age/loss of innocence -Narration/point of view: how does the telling style govern what story gets told? -Rituals/ceremonies and their significances: marriages, funerals, parties, etc. -Character analysis, in which you pick a character (or two) from the story that interests you and explore his/her motivations, desires, etc. -Essay to have a recognizable introduction, body, and conclusion and to have a minimum of five paragraphs, each with a topic sentence and supporting details from the work you are analyzing. The essay to also contain a thesis statement at the end of the introduction that sums up the main argument of the paper which could detect a flow and “path” to the analysis. All parts of the essay to work together. -The story analyzing to make main points and thesis statement clear. -To illustratrate some facet of a work of literature for an audience who does not have the same insight that you do. Keep reader in mind at all times. -No plot summaries. Goal of essay is interpretation— advancing a main point which asserts something debatable, and illustrating that main point with concrete and appropriate evidence. Rehash and summary is not interpretation. It’s fine to explain the significance of a small portion of the story to advance the argument you are making, but plot summary will be penalized if done in excess. -Proper parenthetical documentation and a Works Cited page, both in MLA format, are required. When quoting, paraphrase, or summarize passages from a piece of prose, must parenthetically cite the page numbers and make sure to place quotation marks around exact quotes.
