Page Revised 07/27/2005

Write a 3-4 page (750-1000 word) interpretive essay on an assigned story.  You must focus on a theme  in the work and how the author uses one or two elements of the story to express the theme.  You can focus on character, setting, symbol, irony, style, point of view, or one of the related elements and explain how that device is used to express a theme.  The basic question the essay should answer is how does the author’s use of a particular device in a particular way contribute to developing the theme?  You should make clear what the theme is in your introduction.  For example, don’t just refer to the theme of war, but describe what you think the poem says about war: the glory of war is idealized.  In the body of the paper, show how the literary device helps get that idea/theme across. 

 

Topics:  Write about one of the following three stories:  Carver, "Cathedral" 506-516; O'Brien, "The Things They Carried" 606-18; Munro, "An Ounce of Cure" 593-600. Again, focus on how one or two elements help develop the theme. 

 

Documentation/Works Cited: Pay special attention to the MLA guidelines for documentation as outlined in section 58e of Bedford. 

 

Due Dates:  

 

T2/8

Read Essay 3 (story analysis) assignment. “Plot & Structure” & O’Connor, “Guests of the Nation” 43-54; Read and think about "Questions for Writing About Fiction" 121-24 (do not write).

R2/10

“Character” 54-56; O'Connor, "Good Country People" 181-95.  Online Essay: "Good Country People." Bedford: 72-87.

F2/11

Review Frank O’Connor, “Guests of the Nation” 43-54 and Flannery O'Connor, "Good Country People" 181-95.

M2/14

“Setting” & Mason, “Shiloh” 62-71. Bedford: 88-100.

T2/15

Flex Day “Point of View”; Faulkner, “A Rose for Emily” 71-81.

R2/17

“Language & Style”; Joyce, “Araby” 80-85.

F2/18

“Theme” & Welty, “A Worn Path” 85-92. Bedford 646-56.

M2/21

Choose one of these three stories for your essay topic:   Carver, "Cathedral" 506-516; O'Brien, "The Things They Carried" 606-18; Munro, "An Ounce of Cure" 593-600. E-mail choice to Rob.

T2/22

No class—mandatory conference w/ pre-writing/invention & potential thesis.

R2/24

Draft 1 due—first draft check.

F2/25

Read online Welty essay. Bedford 656-666. Diyanni 2045-49.

M2/28

Draft 2 due--peer review in class.

T3/1

Conference Day w/draft 3

R3/3

Conference Day w/draft 3

F3/4

ESSAY 3 (STORY ANALYSIS) DUE/Discussion of Essays and Stories. 

 

Portfolio Items

Left Side

Right Side

1. Pre-writing/invention (bottom) 

1. Final draft (bottom)

2. Labeled drafts with earlier drafts nearer the bottom.

2. Writing goals (click for copy)

3 Labeled Peer Review sheets stapled to drafts that were reviewed.

3. Self- & Unit Evaluation

4. Conference Summary (top)

4. Grade Sheet (top)

 

  • If you do not provide copies of your draft for group members to evaluate.  I will automatically deduct one letter grade from your final essay.  If you do not complete peer reviews for your teammates, your essay grade will automatically drop two letter grades.

  • I will randomly select one peer-review that you’ve completed from one of your classmate’s portfolios.  You will receive a ten-point quiz grade based on the quality and comprehensiveness of your response.

  • See syllabus for other guidelines.

 

SPECIAL NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY: DO NOT CONSULT, READ, REVIEW, or COPY FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.  For some reason, several students in the past have committed plagiarism for this essay and have consequently failed the class.  I strongly encourage you to review this course's academic honestly policy on the syllabus and to consult with me if you have any questions.