For this essay you may choose any of the works of fiction or poetry we have read so far. Read all of the selections and then select one of the works we have read for a close literary analysis. This means you will be examining an idea or theme or concept which you feel is explored in the work. For example you might say, “Jane Austen’s Love and Freindship uses humor to show the absurd role women have in their society.” Then you will close-read and utilize the text in order to prove that point…or any point you would like to make about a piece of literature we have read. Also, for this essay you need to have two outside sources which are critical essays regarding the piece of literature you have chosen for this assignment. These critical essays must be from the Greenville Tech Library Databases. The Discussion Boards and we have done may give you some ideas for focus. You may build on one of your own posts for your essay. Be sure to support your discussion with ample evidence from the text. To your instructor, less is more. You are writing 3-4 pages, so choose a relatively narrow topic for discussion and develop it carefully and thoroughly.
Feel free to run thesis ideas by your instructor!
REQUIREMENTS:
• For this essay you need to have at least 3 typed pages.
• You need to have a focused thesis idea which is your opinion…not a fact. .
• The essay should be submitted by the due date (check the calendar).
• You must use proper formatting and documentation (MLA). (This includes using twelve-point font and double-spacing throughout the essay.) (Consult your MLA Handbook or the online OWL site)
• The essay must have a Works Cited Page. This page must have three works on it (the work from our anthology, and any outside criticism). The essay should be your own interpretation of information, but should use the critical essay as either a point of reference, a point to argue against, or as support for your own good ideas.
• The essay must be written in 3rd person, not first person. Do not use “I” or “you” in your essay!
• Also, when analyzing literature use present tense, since literature is like art: it will continue on after our deaths! So you will say, “Gatsby is a man of great wealth” not “Gatsby was a man of great wealth.”
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*Remember you should be beyond “what” in your academic writing and should be focusing on “why” and “how” a selection of literature is working.
If some of you don’t understand how to use the Databases here is the exact path:
- Greenville Tech Website
- Student Resources
- Library Services
- “Click Here to Start Search”
- Research
- Databases
- Literature
- Artemis Literary (Gale) …or you can choose another literature source
- Type the short story or poem into the box.
IF you are having trouble accessing from home it is because you do not have off campus access. You can do it from campus or MUCH BETTER you can get a library card. If you still have trouble contact a librarian:
• Email [email protected]
• Text (864) 438-3425
• Call (864) 250-8319 - Don’t forget Literary PRESENT TENSE and THIRD PERSON!