Category: Literature

There will be 3 genre papers for this course – one for each genre (fiction, drama and poetry). You will be provided with a choice of prompts; you will choose one and respond with a 2 page essay. Your paper should address three works from the genre. For example, in your short fiction paper, you should address three short stories. No outside sources are necessary. You should use MLA format; refer to the Purdue OWL and library guide for assistance . Refer to the late policy for late submissions. Refer to the Course Policies sheet in Week 1 for full details.
WORKS TO CHOOSE FROM FOR DRAMA ESSAY:
Anton Chekhov, Three Sisters
Susan Glaspell, Trifles
Henrik Ibsen, A Doll House
William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Sophocles, Antigone

Choose 1 of these prompts to respond to in essay format:

Examine a theme that runs throughout these texts. Choose ONE of the following: identity, family, death, justice, love or betrayal/revenge. Cite three texts that we have discussed.

Examine the role of women in these texts. Cite three works that we have discussed.

3. Examine how place functions in these works. For example, why is the setting important? How is the notion of land disputed in these works? How does place affect the plot/outcome of these works?

4. YOUR OWN TOPIC – You may choose to pursue your own unique approach to explore in your essay. HOWEVER, YOUR TOPIC MUST BE APPROVED BY ME AT LEAST FORTY-EIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE. Your essay must cite three works that we have discussed.

Please write a three well-constructed paragraphs concerning the attached reading “A Message to Garcia

Purpose:
This is a response writing assignment, where you will analyze and reflect on one of the texts that we’ve read so far this semester and discuss how that text is truly American. Remember that this is your own interpretation of the text, and any interpretation is fine as long as it’s backed up by the text. Outside sources aren’t necessary for this essay but you may use them to help in your analysis. Below are assignment details to guide you.

Goals:
Produce a clearly organized response essay that interprets and analyzes a short story or poem for its American qualities.
Generate a clear thesis statement about the text’s American qualities.
Use textual evidence from the text to back up your points.
Revise and edit to achieve a clear rhetorical purpose and to meet audience needs.
Learn the standards of MLA formatting.

Assignment: Overview
Introduction: In the first paragraph you will introduce your reader to the topic and the text. First, explain what qualities you think define American literature. What makes a text truly American? What are some typical values, themes, settings, plot points, symbols, character traits, etc. that we look for in American literature? What are some important aspects of our American culture that bleed into our artforms?
Next, introduce your reader to the text which you think exemplifies these American qualities. Give them enough context to set up your analysis. You can include relevant background information about the author, when the piece was published, and a short summary, but remember to include a thesis statement that discusses how this particular text shows those American qualities.Analyzation: For the body paragraphs, you will expand on the claim put forth in your thesis and provide evidence from the text. How does the piece of literature encapsulate America or American qualities? What are those American qualities in detail? How does this text match up with your understanding of what makes America American? How does the theme, setting, characters, plot, symbols, etc. reflect our culture? Remember to stay focused, it’s best to choose one or two qualities to focus on, instead of trying to cover a ton in such a short response. Remember to use textual evidence by using quotations and paraphrases.

Purpose: Next, analyze why the author wrote this piece. Put yourself in the author’s shoes. What do you think the author’s purpose in writing this was? Was it to inform, inspire, teach? Is there a moral, philosophical, social, or political issue they are trying to tackle? Does the time-period that the author wrote the text inform the content? Have our values changed since then? You can pick more than one of these to tackle. Explain why you think this.

Conclusion: Lastly, conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and showing how they fit together to prove your thesis. Then take it a step further by answering some of the following questions: is this text relevant to Americans today? How so? What might a reader learn from it? Should this text be included in the study of American literature, why or why not?

Length: ~800 words
Formatting: This essay should be formatted as a formal essay according to MLA standards. Include a Works Cited page with a citation for the poem and any outside sources you used.
Grading Rubric:
The introduction gives proper context to the text, includes a thesis statement, and forecasts the direction of the essay (10 points)
The thesis statement is clear and talks about how the text exhibits an American quality or qualities (10 points)
The author includes thorough analyzation and interpretation of the text and those qualities (20 points)
The author uses evidence from the text to support their analyzation (10 points)
The author talks about the author’s purpose (10 points)
The conclusion brings closure to the essay and takes it one step further (10 points)
The essay is coherent and well organized (10 points)
The essay shows evidence of proofreading for spelling, grammar, and syntax (10 points)
The author uses MLA formatting and includes a Works Cited page (10 points)

This week, you began with Akala’s video orienting us toward a critical reflection on the British history and values that you witnessed in Week 1 with the London Olympics. Akala pointedly asks:
“which of the traditions of the people on this island [United Kingdom] would you be drawing on and identifying with? The one that promotes and reinforces race and class oppression and explains away the genocide of empire as a civilized mission? Or the one of relentless activism that secured for us the very fragile freedoms we have today?”
In your journal this week, please reflect on the forms of activism that you see in both The History of Mary Prince and William Blake’s “Chimney Sweeper” poems. Choose specific moments in each work (that is, directly quote and analyze) that offer insight into how the author promotes or enacts a critical response to the wrongs of slavery.

Purpose:
This is a response writing assignment, where you will analyze and reflect on one of the texts that we’ve read so far this semester and discuss how that text is truly American. Remember that this is your own interpretation of the text, and any interpretation is fine as long as it’s backed up by the text. Outside sources aren’t necessary for this essay but you may use them to help in your analysis. Below are assignment details to guide you.

Goals:
Produce a clearly organized response essay that interprets and analyzes a short story or poem for its American qualities.
Generate a clear thesis statement about the text’s American qualities.
Use textual evidence from the text to back up your points.
Revise and edit to achieve a clear rhetorical purpose and to meet audience needs.
Learn the standards of MLA formatting.

Assignment: Overview
Introduction: In the first paragraph you will introduce your reader to the topic and the text. First, explain what qualities you think define American literature. What makes a text truly American? What are some typical values, themes, settings, plot points, symbols, character traits, etc. that we look for in American literature? What are some important aspects of our American culture that bleed into our artforms?
Next, introduce your reader to the text which you think exemplifies these American qualities. Give them enough context to set up your analysis. You can include relevant background information about the author, when the piece was published, and a short summary, but remember to include a thesis statement that discusses how this particular text shows those American qualities.Analyzation: For the body paragraphs, you will expand on the claim put forth in your thesis and provide evidence from the text. How does the piece of literature encapsulate America or American qualities? What are those American qualities in detail? How does this text match up with your understanding of what makes America American? How does the theme, setting, characters, plot, symbols, etc. reflect our culture? Remember to stay focused, it’s best to choose one or two qualities to focus on, instead of trying to cover a ton in such a short response. Remember to use textual evidence by using quotations and paraphrases.

Purpose: Next, analyze why the author wrote this piece. Put yourself in the author’s shoes. What do you think the author’s purpose in writing this was? Was it to inform, inspire, teach? Is there a moral, philosophical, social, or political issue they are trying to tackle? Does the time-period that the author wrote the text inform the content? Have our values changed since then? You can pick more than one of these to tackle. Explain why you think this.

Conclusion: Lastly, conclude your essay by summarizing your main points and showing how they fit together to prove your thesis. Then take it a step further by answering some of the following questions: is this text relevant to Americans today? How so? What might a reader learn from it? Should this text be included in the study of American literature, why or why not?

Length: ~800 words
Formatting: This essay should be formatted as a formal essay according to MLA standards. Include a Works Cited page with a citation for the poem and any outside sources you used.
Grading Rubric:
The introduction gives proper context to the text, includes a thesis statement, and forecasts the direction of the essay (10 points)
The thesis statement is clear and talks about how the text exhibits an American quality or qualities (10 points)
The author includes thorough analyzation and interpretation of the text and those qualities (20 points)
The author uses evidence from the text to support their analyzation (10 points)
The author talks about the author’s purpose (10 points)
The conclusion brings closure to the essay and takes it one step further (10 points)
The essay is coherent and well organized (10 points)
The essay shows evidence of proofreading for spelling, grammar, and syntax (10 points)
The author uses MLA formatting and includes a Works Cited page (10 points)

Please read the article below and please answer the following response.
After reading Warren’s article, what do you think? Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Please explain. Please be sure to include cited quotes from this reading and a full explanation about the significance of said quote(s) regarding the prompt’s request. Also, explain the quote(s) significance to your position/argument.

Please read the article below and please answer the following response.
After reading Warren’s article, what do you think? Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Please explain. Please be sure to include cited quotes from this reading and a full explanation about the significance of said quote(s) regarding the prompt’s request. Also, explain the quote(s) significance to your position/argument.

Please look at all attached files for guidelines on this assignment. Please follow the guidelines on how to write the paper. It’s very important that this paper has an introduction, thesis, body with at least three paragraphs, and finally a conclusion. Try to include at least 4 in text citations, use more quotes if possible to support this essay. Again you’ll find more info on the files. Thank you!

Choose two of the following questions and answer them completely ( see the attached file for more details on the paper.)

#1 – OBSERVE: what did their civil disobedience consist of? Say what all three did, briefly. Then EXPLAIN: who did not go to extremes, who kept control or was most careful?
#2 – OBSERVE: what did their loyal citizenship consist of, all three? Then EXPLAIN: who did not go to extremes, who kept control or was most careful?
#3 – OBSERVE: what were their own attitudes towards the relationship between civil disobedience and loyal citizenship? Then EXPLAIN: who did not believe in going to extremes, was most willing to compromise or keep a “balance”?