English Literature

Summarize what “Last Seen: Voices from Slavery’s Past” is about. Describe what it is to someone who has never seen or heard of it. (2) Explain what you think the purpose of this performance is. What is it trying to accomplish? (3) Discuss your reaction to this performance. Did you like it? What did it make you think about?

Research Assignment Overview Overview You will complete a five page research paper that focuses on literary analysis. The paper will give you a chance to apply many of the techniques we discuss in class. Selecting a Topic Your analysis will focus on the work of one of the author’s we study in class. In addition to covering the selection(s) we read in class, you are expected to read additional work by the author. The instructor will help you to make those decisions. Choose from one of the author’s listed below: Sandra Cisneros Ernest Hemingway Langston Hughes Nikki Giovanni Robert Frost Emily Dickinson Arthur Miller Edgar Allan Poe Thesis Your goal is to develop a paper that focuses on several themes that are found in the work of your chosen author. Purpose of the Assignment In English 102 students are expected to develop a claim through the application of literature resources and engage in academic conversations about one or more specific piece of literature in a way that demonstrates a thoughtful engagement with literature. Audience Keep in mind that this is an academic paper. You are writing for a sophisticated audience that understands and appreciates literature. Research Since this is a research paper, you will be required to use critical sources in addition to the work of the author you selected. You must have a minimum of three critical references (and you will probably use them multiple times.) Documentation You must use the MLA format as required by the WCC English Department. Specific guidelines for doing so are found on the WCC Library website Integration of Quotations In this literary research paper, you will want to support your ideas with direct quotes. Some of those quotes will come from the actual works you have read by the author. Others will come from some of the critical works you are citing. The Essay: Organization of parts/Development of Claim This five page research paper should focus on the themes developed by the author you selected. You may choose to introduce a limited amount of biographical information about the author you select, but you should focus on the themes found most often in the author’s work. How the Assignments Will be Graded Grading will be done according to the Standard Humanities Rubric. Students should also review the policy on plagiarism that has been developed by the College and the English Department.

Essay 1: Fiction Analysis Your first essay is a fiction analysis, in which you will draw on your notes and blog posts to analyze one of the two short stories we’ve read. Guiding Questions: • What is a central theme of this story? • How does the author use narrative elements to express that theme? Content Requirements: • Engaging introduction that draws the reader in and provides context for the essay. • Strong thesis statement that clearly articulates the writer’s central argument for the essay. • Body paragraphs that include a topic sentence, ample evidence, and a connection back to the thesis statement. • Effective selection and integration of evidence throughout, including MLA citations • Conclusion that reiterates the thesis statement and considers why the theme identified in the essay is relevant to today’s readers. • Overall effective analysis of either “Chasing Chato” by Wayne Rapp or “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler, demonstrating proficiency in the concepts covered in this unit Form Requirements: • Creative title • At least 3 pages typed in the appropriate format (see formatting sheet) • Appropriate spelling, syntax, and grammar How to begin writing: 1. Select the story you’d like to write about (either “Chasing Chato” or “Bloodchild”). 2. Review your active reading notes, blog post, and peer response for that story. 3. Use what you’ve already written and thought about to fill in the outline below. Outline: I. Introduction a. Hook b. Introduction of text (title, author, year) c. BRIEF (1-2 sentences) plot summary d. Thesis statement: What is a theme of this story, and what narrative elements does the author use to express that theme? (Example: A theme of the film Frozen is that sisterhood is more valuable than romantic relationships, which we see through the characters, setting, conflict, and symbolism.) II. Body paragraph (include as many as you need) a. Topic sentence—what narrative element are you talking about in this paragraph b. Evidence—examples from the story (remember the quote sandwich!) c. Connection back to thesis/theme III. Conclusion a. Reiterate thesis b. What makes this theme relevant to readers today?

English 202 Research Paper Assignment Text: The research paper is a documented prose work resulting from an organized analysis of a subject. Your paper will examine particular writers’ works. The stories you have chosen to read will be the focus of your research paper. It is not a biographical sketch of the writer; however, you may include biographical information if it relates to your thesis. It is not a plot summary; I can read the stories for that. Primarily, you are going to take a position about the works and use specific events or quotes from the work to support and explain that position. Your thesis statement will be based upon this position. In addition, you are going to examine what literary critics have to say concerning the work. You must read the work prior to beginning your research. Format: Research papers must be typed and formatted according to current MLA documentation style. This includes using Times New Roman, 12 point font. You will be expected to list each of your sources in proper MLA format on the Works Cited page at the end of your research paper. You will also use proper MLA parenthetical internal documentation throughout your paper. The MLA Handbook is an absolute necessity. You cannot pass the research paper if your format is wrong! Length: A minimum of five full pages of text (double-spaced). In addition, you will include a Works Cited page. You cannot pass the paper if you do not have the required length on the paper! Sources: A minimum of six (6) sources is required. You must have four (4) secondary sources quoted directly in the body paragraphs (there should be at least 1 secondary source per main point). You cannot pass the research paper without including four secondary sources. The literary works you have chosen (short stories) will count as a fifth and sixth source, the primary sourcse. There are many sources available for literary research, and I expect you to use a variety of sources. You should use at least one article as a source, and you can have only one Internet source. Masterplots, Cliffs Notes, Spark Notes, eNotes, Grade Saver, Wikipedia, and Classic Notes DO NOT count as a source. This is not a comprehensive list. There may be other websites that you will not be allowed to use. Please consult me if you have any doubts about whether or not you should use a website. Process: You will be expected to follow a guided process in your research and writing. I have designed the course to make it easier for you to write a research paper step by step. On the course syllabus, I have indicated dates when topics, thesis statements and outlines, and rough drafts are due. I will be maintaining a file which will indicate whether or not you have completed these steps. Any student who fails to follow these steps in a timely manner and does not indicate a work in progress will not be allowed to turn in a research paper. If the minimum requirements are not met (minimum length, minimum number of sources, etc.) for this paper, IT WILL NOT BE GRADED!! Other guidelines to consider: 1 DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE and expect to do well on the research paper without having read the book. 2 Your first two assignments (worksheets #1 and #2) will be completed as we start our library time and will entail your getting to know your author, what critics say the themes of your novel are, and setting up a tentative thesis and outline. 3 Ultimately, your paper will focus on the themes within the novel. It will not be a biographical study or a summary of the plot. 4 Your two biggest enemies will be disorganization and procrastination. Organization-Have the following materials with you at all times: research packet, handbook, primary source, photocopies of secondary sources Staying on Schedule-You have been given a calendar with all due dates clearly marked. As you are working on your own in the library, you must be responsible enough to work at a steady pace. No late work will be accepted or checked for any reason. Early checks are always possible. 5 Research papers (both the rough draft and the final draft) must be typed. Computer labs are located on the 2nd floor of the college library and on the 2nd floor of Building G. Because computer classes are taught in the computer labs, you will need to go by the location most convenient to you and find the posted available times for student use. Save your work on your disk. Computer problems and printer problems will not be accepted as an excuse for late work. 6 If you are concerned about your paper, I will be happy to check rough drafts. However, I will only check research papers if you make an appointment (face-to-face or phone) during my office hours. Any paper sent via email will not be checked

* Required Resources Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 1, 2, 3 Lesson *Instructions Introduction The journal is an essential assignment that is meant to sum up the conclusions you come to after having reflected on the readings in the text, the online lecture, discussion posts, including your own and those of your peers, and any outside material you consult. You will probably find that you do as much or more thinking than you do writing in responding to the journal prompts – and that is perfectly okay. In general, the weekly journal should meet the noted length requirement – not including the space needed for the prompts. You may feel the need to write out longer reflections – and that is also okay. If you do feel the need for longer reflections, then, once you have written them out, try to edit them, reducing them to their essence. Part of this course is process – training ourselves to think critically. Part of it is learning to understand how we think and why we think or believe what we think or believe. While the journal prompts will occasionally address the process, it will more often ask you to reflect on the hows and whys of what you know and believe – or what you think you know and believe. Instructions For this journal assignment, briefly answer each of the following prompts: Critical Thinking After reading the required resources for this week and participating in the discussion, how do you define critical thinking? You will want to carry this definition with you, so keep it brief – perhaps 4 to 6 lines. You will find many definitions online – don’t be tempted to just quickly copy one; try to form your own so that it is meaningful to you. Heart of the Matter Considering just what is in this weeks’ readings, why do you think the authors (looking forward in the text) see Chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the “heart of the matter”? What do you think they mean by that? What two concepts do the authors say these chapters emphasize? How do you define these concepts? Why do you think the authors find these concepts important to critical thinking? Challenges & Insights What do you see as your greatest challenge for this session in general? For this class in particular? How do you think you can use the concepts in these first three chapters to help you meet these challenges as well as challenges in your personal life as a member of your family and your community? If you include references to outside sources (beyond the textbook), make sure you cite them properly. Writing Requirements (APA format) Length: 2-3 pages (not including title page or references page) 1-inch margins Double spaced 12-point Times New Roman font Title page References page (as needed)

Second Day, Seventh Story: Told by Panfilo, who many commentators see as a representative of Boccaccio. Summarize the story in a paragraph. In another paragraph, analyze the narrative function of Alatiel. How does Boccaccio’s portrayal of Alatiel reflect medieval views of female sexuality? (You will want to go to The Decameron Web, click on Society, and then Sexual Desire to learn about medieval views of female sexuality). How does Boccaccio use the story of Alatiel to expose the lies of a patriarchal medieval society? You might also want to make a thematic connections with the First Story of the First Day. https://www.brown.edu/Departments/Italian_Studies/dweb/society/sex/sexual-desire.php https://www.limpidsoft.com/a5/decameron.pdf

This assignment is the basis of your term paper and is your opportunity to propose the general idea of your project. This works two-fold: it allows for you to already start sketching out what American culture means to you both personally and academically while also getting you on the journey to conceptualize a broader project that can address these ideas. These projects should be of interest to you so that it’s something you enjoy completing. There are minimal limits on this project, the only being that it needs to fit within the conceptual scope of the course (and must be social scientific in nature). To that end, you’re welcome to think of American culture in many ways though you should consider the Week 1 and 2 readings as guidance on how to articulate what qualifies as culture, though you can also look ahead a bit and see if those weeks offer you some inspiration as well. For example, we have a week where we are discussing issues of TV in America and maybe you want to talk about music or food; that’s great! Maybe you want to discuss something like the changes in religiosity in America, that also works but don’t just think of it as changing demographics about American religious participation, you need to make sure that you will subsequently connect into cultural shifts in the US (i.e. keep you mind on the interpretative aspect or why/why it matters). (cue Ron Popeil voice) “and so much more!” Basically, your term paper is about an aspect of American culture that you want to know more about including some aspects of how it came to be and a clear articulation of how/why it matters. Make sure it is Times New Roman, size 12, with 1-inch margins, double-spaced. I’m not entirely concerned about specific length (aim for about a page, but you can go longer) but you should take as much space as necessary to address each required element in a sufficient manner (i.e. I should understand fully your thinking and reasoning behind each). Acceptable file types: .doc, .docx, .pdf (I have set Canvas to only accept these types so if you can’t upload, make sure that you’ve saved it as a correct file type). Your proposal must contain the following elements Topic: The broad topic in which you’re interested. Also, why are you interested in this topic/area of study? Research Question: Make this the actual question you want to answer, such as “In what ways is American popular culture still influenced by minstrels?,” “How have changes in American culture influenced religious participation?,” or “How has American cuisine been influenced by changes in immigration patterns? Discuss your thoughts behind this question, why this research question exactly? Give some pre-emptive insight into your thoughts: what do you think the answer to this question is (and why)? Population: It’s always good to make sure your particular population of interest is discussed. So, while we are discussing American culture writ large, there are various groups/populations you may want to focus on. In my own research on the cultural bases of pricing, I focus specifically on self-employed craftspeople. This section is to make sure you’re articulating your topic proposal in a manner that lets us know you’ve considered begun considering the important facets of your topic. Who does your topic and research question apply to? Why this population? Who does it not apply to? Does this create any difficulties in understanding it, or is it a strength? 3 academic, peer-reviewed sources that help to explain and address your paper’s topic with two to three sentences explaining how each connects to your topic. So, if I was writing about how fashions in computer brands is connected to issues of e-waste, I’d want to start looking for articles talking about changing dynamics of computer consumption as well as articles that address the topic of e-waste and its changing dynamics 1 non-academic (but trustworthy!) source that gives descriptive information to motivate the project with two to three sentences explaining how each connects to your topic. So, keeping with the prior topic, I’d want to get find a trustworthy source that tells me something like how many computers are produced each year, how many computers are recycled each year, how many computers are thrown away each year, or even (as a recent news report found) how certain companies contractually require all recycling centers to destroy everything so it’s melted down in its constituent parts for reuse rather than allow for parts to be salvaged and used while repairing peoples computers. Finally, a list of the search terms you used and which databases you used to find these articles.

please write long enough for a 3-5 minute speech. I have attached book chapters. please Use 2 additional sources

For this week and all weeks of the term, you will write an original post of 200-300 words and respond to two posts from your colleagues in 150 or more words. All posts should be grounded in the details of the assigned texts with appropriate citations using MLA style. ******* Consider either Achilles in The Iliad or Oedipus in Oedipus the King as ancient “heroes.” What does the hero do to earn that designation? What are the benefits and burdens that come with his role as hero? Where does he stand in relation to the rest of society? Use a specific scene in each work to develop your answer. Along the way consider how these depictions of ancient heroism align with or contrast with the heroes we see in Scripture, like David in the story of David and Goliath from I Samuel 17.  Dialogue Rubric.doc Dialogue Rubric.doc – Alternative Formats

Prompt Write a thorough analysis of several (2-4) elements of fiction, explaining how they affect one another as well as the story’s theme and/or mood. Remember that you must write about one of the stories assigned by your instructor. Choose one story. “The Devil and Tom Walker” (Character folder) “The Story of an Hour” (Character folder) “Cathedral” (Character folder) “A White Heron” (Setting folder) “The Cask of Amontillado” (Setting folder) “The Black Cat” (Style and Tone folder) “Paul’s Case” (Theme folder) “Symbols and Signs” (Symbols folder) Thesis: Your thesis should focus on the literary elements you will analyze. Here is one way to structure the thesis to be sure you have a solid claim for your essay: _____’s work, titled ______, uses elements _____, ______, and ______ to emphasize the theme of _______. Requirements Your outline should adhere to several requirements. 1. 2. 3. 4. You must write on the topic outlined in the assignment prompt. Your outline must focus on one the works listed on this assignment sheet. You must format your outline using the template in the course. Your outline must have at least 6 direct quotes, integrated properly with correct citations. 5. Research is not required for this essay; however, if you choose to incorporate secondary sources, you must correctly cite your research. 6. You must include a works cited page. Tips to Keep in Mind • • Choose a work that you find interesting. It’s best if you understand the stories completely. Read the work carefully, making annotations and notes as you go. Look for elements to analyze. Break down scenes as necessary. • Based on your stories, notes, ideas, and topic, draft a working thesis. Refer to the thesis statement lecture notes on Blackboard if you need help. Many examples you may find online are average, meaning they are C level thesis statements. • Gather all your notes, any written assignments where you discussed this work, and any secondary research. • Write an outline of the main points you want to make. Compare them to your thesis statement (modify your thesis or outline to make sure they match). Refer to the prompt to make sure you are still on track. • • Fill in the outline with support from the stories and from your research (remember the citations). Finalize your outline and submit your outline to the Outline 1 drop box. •. For greater potential for success, submit your outline to UpSwing for extra guidance. Feedback can take up to 48 hours. Use feedback from the tutoring services as well as from UpSwing to revise your draft.