Choose one of the works from the syllabus and write an 6-8 page essay, supported by research, that presents an interpretation of the work from one of the critical perspectives discussed in this class. Your paper should use literary terms to isolate specific aspects of the form that you wish to examine, and you should offer plenty of evidence from the text to support your interpretation. Design your paper as a contribution to the various other readings of the text to be found in your research. Be sure to have a clear, focused thesis, which you develop through a series of paragraphs that advance your supporting ideas.
Research is required. Visit the Pierce library’s website to find the collection of databases devoted to literature, and search for essays about the work you choose. You will be completing an annotated bibliography of sources that you consult (see the assignment page for the bibliography in Canvas). Your final paper does not need to refer to every source in your bibliography but should contain enough references to demonstrate your familiarity with other readings of the text.
The paper should be typed in a 12pt. font, double-spaced throughout, with a one-inch margin. Follow the MLA guidelines for formatting a research paper. The Pierce library also offers many online resources for MLA format and bibliographies. Submit the paper through Canvas on the designated due date.
The essay will be graded on content (unity, clarity, originality, and accuracy), support (use of evidence, use of research, development with commentary), organization (order of ideas, logic, structure), and style (sentence skills). If necessary, be sure to review the basic structure of both paragraphs and essays.
