This assessment asks you to demonstrate the following skills and knowledge that pertain to the English 124 Student Learning Outcomes identified in our syllabus:
Skills:
using a literary theory as a critical lens with which to view the graphic novel, develop an argument about Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation that is free from fallacies (SLO #2);
interpret literature using logical reasoning to develop claims that are supported with textual evidence (SLO #2);
locate, evaluate, and synthesize information from sources representing diverse perspectives on the chosen literary theory, with an emphasis on peer-reviewed journal articles (SLO #3);
craft an essay that follows a clear organizational plan, preferably using emphatic organization style.
Knowledge:
comprehend how a literary theory can be used as a critical lens with which to view a literary work and how to avoid pitfalls (fallacious thinking) (SLO #2);
perceive the importance of evaluating research for relevancy, accuracy, currency, and diversity (SLO #3);
recognize the difference between formal writing for academic environments and informal writing meant to be shared on social media and how this can impact tone, diction, etc.;
understand how to use MLA guidelines when formatting your document and integrating research.
OVERALL TASK
Provide an in-depth exploration of the graphic novel Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation using one of the six critical approaches we discussed (historical, psychological, gender/queer/feminist, eco-critical, critical race/postcolonialism, or Marxist) as a lens. Your thesis should make a unique argument about the graphic novel using one of the critical approaches.
ESSAY CHECKLIST
Critical Approach (Lens): Use the “Introduction to Critical Approaches to Literature” page on Canvas to determine which critical approach you are taking, which terminology you should consider incorporating, and which pitfalls (fallacies) to avoid. Develop a thesis (and claims to support it), which clearly reflects this approach.
Audience: Gear your essay toward a fellow English 124 student who is already familiar with the graphic novel and wants to come to a deeper understanding about it. Your reader will not have read the outside sources (research) you are incorporating.
Point-of-View: Use 3rd person (avoid “I” or “you” pronouns in this paper).
Title: Choose an appropriate title, indicating both the topic (the graphic novel) and the task (critical analysis using a literary theory as a lens) you will cover.
Thesis: Put your thesis in bold, and ensure that you make a unique argument about the graphic novel using one of six approaches as a lens. The thesis should appear toward the end of the introduction.
Word Count: 2,000-3,500 (this does not include heading, title, or the Works Cited page).
Evidence: In addition to quoting from the graphic novel you must embed a minimum of 5 relevant images. Google Image Search is a great option for finding a specific image. If using a digital copy, you can also take a screen shot with your device. If using a hard copy, you can take a picture with your phone.
Research: You must cite (quote from) 5-10 credible sources. At least 3 must be peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles or professionally published books accessed through the Grossmont College Library databases. Refer back to “Library & Research Tutorial” for help on how to navigate the article databases on the Grossmont College Library’s web site. You may also use any of the articles I provided for you on the “Critical Approach Scholarly Articles” page as long as they are relevant to your argument. Be sure to follow the 5-step process laid out in “Integrating Sources for Essay #2” handout.
Structure: Review “Anatomy of an Essay” and the ACES process as well as the “Introduction to Critical Approaches to Literature” page for help with how you might organize your body paragraphs. For the ACES process, it’s important that each body paragraph includes an assertion (claim) that supports your overall argument (thesis). In other words, do not let your outside sources drive the structure of your essay by simply summarizing what others have to say or beginning of one of your body paragraphs with someone else’s ideas. For the “Introduction to Critical Approaches to Literature” page, there are “Questions and Terms to Consider” included for each critical approach, and these can help you not only craft a thesis, but give you ideas for topics you might use to organize each body paragraph. Be sure your thesis statement and claims (topic sentences) all clearly reflect the critical approach you are taking.
Counterargument: Include at least one countering move, where you acknowledge a counterargument or push back on one of the outside sources you are integrating. You will learn more about how to do this in the “Forwarding vs. Countering Moves” PowerPoint presentation.
Works Cited: Make sure you include a Works Cited as the final page of your essay that lists your 5-10 sources. Reference the “Constructing a Works Cited Page” tutorial for help on organizing and formatting this page. You should also include an entry for the graphic novel.
Formatting: Use MLA formatting—Arial 12-point font is preferred.
You must also highlight your essay using the pattern below before submitting the rough draft or final draft in PDF form on Canvas. In both the rough draft and final draft submission area, there is a highlighted student sample to help you with this.
Thesis (Argument)=Yellow (Introduction)
Topic Sentences (Claims)=Green (Body Paragraphs)
Countering Move(s)=Blue (Somewhere in a Body Paragraph)
Submit your final draft to the appropriate Canvas link by the due date (See 7.8 in the Week 7 Module).
HOW TO USE FORWARDING & COUNTERING MOVES WITH OUTSIDE SOURCES
Support your own ideas with the prestige of established critics’ names, essentially augmenting your authority via academic name-dropping.
Disagree with a known critic, challenging his or her ideas. Your challenge more than likely will be welcome to many readers who share your disagreement.
Accept a critic’s general statement and apply it specifically—perhaps in ways not originally intended by the critic.
Conversely, you can accept a critic’s specific statement and apply it generally.
You do not need to find critics who write expressly about your topic. In fact, the stronger, the more original your thinking, the less likely it will be that you will find such specific support. Instead find critics who develop related ideas.OverviewIn addition to any feedback you received from me regarding your thesis/outline, use information/feedback from your Annotated Bibliography in order to craft your rough draft. Also, be sure you have read the Guidelines for Essay #2 very carefully before drafting.Once you have submitted your rough draft here, you will then provide feedback to a minimum of two peers. Please start with a peer who does not have feedback yet so that everyone gets at least one peer review. Please read the directions carefully below since this is a different style discussion assignment that our usual ones.
You’ll note that this entire assignment is worth 20 points. Check out the grading rubric to see how you will be assessed. Keep in mind that because these peer groups are smaller, if you’re the first person to post, you will likely have to check back a few times before you see other submissions. Also, I will award you 3 extra credit points for each peer review you complete beyond the required two.Please annotate your rough draft using the following pattern:
Thesis Statement=Yellow (Last sentence of introduction)
Topic Sentences/Claims=Green (Should be first sentence of each body paragraph)
Countering Move=Blue (Should be located in at least one of the body paragraphs.
