Introductory Paragraph
Background Information/Context:
Title of the selected text for analysis
Name of the author(s)
Year of publication
[Type here]
A Thesis Statement that presents an intelligent interpretation of the literary work and a roadmap of the arguments that you will develop to prove your interpretation. Your thesis statement should also inform the reader about the approach (New Criticism,
Structuralism, or
Psychoanalytic Criticism)
and
the
elements
you are going to analyze.
[Type here]
Body Section (Three to Five Paragraphs)
For
each
paragraph, you need to present your main point in support of your thesis. Your Topic Sentence must explicitly state your argument(s). Make sure you back up your main point with evidence from the text, followed by your own explanation/analysis.
Note: if you need a fourth and fifth paragraphs for your outline, you may copy/paste the same structure below to have “Paragraph/Argument Four & Five.”
Paragraph/Argument One:
[Type here]
Evidence/example to prove your point
[Type here]
Analysis of evidence/example
[Type here]
Concluding/Transitional Sentence
[Type here]
Paragraph/Argument Two:
[Type here]
Evidence/example to prove your point
[Type here]
Analysis of evidence/example
[Type here]
Concluding/Transitional Sentence
[Type here]
Paragraph/Argument Three:
[Type here]
Evidence/example to prove your point
[Type here]
Analysis of evidence/example
[Type here]
Concluding/Transitional Sentence
[Type here]
Conclusion Section (Last Paragraph):
In this last section, you must express the general meaning of your analysis. In other words, you must present your own interpretation/conclusion about the literary text you are analyzing through the lens of the selected critical theory.
Recap or rephrase of Thesis Statement
[Type here]
[Type here]
Conclude with a general meaning of analysis
[Type here]
Documentation:
You have the choice to follow either the APA or the MLA Style for this Assignment. If you choose the APA Style, please use “References” for your bibliography. If you choose the MLA Style, please use “Works Cited.” Most importantly, please maintain consistency in the format you choose across the entire essay.
[Type here]
Assignment Description:
Choose any ONE of the topics below and write a unified and coherent literary analysis essay (750-1,000 words) that analyzes a short story or poem studied in class through the lens of a major critical theory. Your essay should make use of one of the theoretical methods (New Criticism,
Structuralism, or
Psychoanalytic Criticism) that we have examined thus far. You are encouraged to be as specific as possible, using examples from the literary texts we have covered in class to illustrate your argument. The topics are broad, and therefore, speculation is encouraged. However, please take positions and try to articulate and defend your point of view. Make sure you have a clear and compelling argument and avoid lists and unnecessary plot summary.
II. Topics
- Approach one of the below literary texts using New Critical analysis in order to develop a
unifying meaning
to your analysis. Your technique should focus on “close reading” to decipher the text, looking for
paradox,
ambiguity,
tension,
irony,
symbols, and
patterns
that you can further interpret.
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
“Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway
"The Sniper" by Liam O’Flaherty
2. Approach one of the below literary texts using Structuralist analysis. The analysis should focus on examining the language in terms of signs (signifier
and
signified concepts) and
binary oppositions, as well as the underlying
structures
and
conventions, such as characterization or plot, and attempt to show how these patterns were universal, and thus could be used to develop general conclusions about both individual works and the systems from which they emerged.
“the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls” by E. E. Cummings
"Anecdote of the Jar” by Wallace Stevens
3. Approach one of the below literary texts using Psychoanalytic Critical analysis and explain how the short story explores and illuminates psychoanalytical theories, such as Freud’s Tripartite model of the psyche (id,
ego, and
superego) and defense mechanism (displacement
and
sublimation).
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
"The Sniper" by Liam O’Flaherty
III. Literary Analysis Essay Structure & Requirements
Introduction:
A short Introduction that holds the following information:
Title of the selected text for analysis
Names of the author(s)
Year of publication
A Thesis Statement that presents an intelligent interpretation of the literary work and a roadmap of the arguments that you will develop to prove your interpretation. Your thesis statement should also inform the reader about the approach (New Criticism,
Structuralism, or
Psychoanalytic Criticism)
and
the
elements
you are going to analyze.
Body:
three or four body
paragraphs, depending on how many elements (examples of the elements are in bold in the three topics above. Please scroll up to refresh your thoughts about those elements) you are going to examine.
For
each
paragraph:
Topic Sentence: Main idea
Evidence/example from the text(s) to prove your point
Analysis of evidence/example
Conclusion: In this last section, you must express the general meaning of your analysis. In other words, you must present your own interpretation/conclusion about the significance of the textual evidence through the lens of your selected critical theory.
IV. Rubric & General Tips
Please check the rubric that is posted on Blackboard as a separate document to understand how you will be graded for Essay One.
Compose approximately750-1,000words, 12 pt. Times Roman or equivalent font, 1” margins. Remember to title your essay and to number the pages.(I may not read past 1,000 words, so please do not write more than the limit here)
Communicate your ideas, using appropriate grammar, syntax, punctuation, and formal tone
Use appropriate literary language when referring to literary elements and devices
Make sure you paraphrase instead of including long quotations. Direct quotations are expected only when you are analyzing the
language
used within the quote. If quotes are included, work all of them smoothly into grammatical sentences that explain how and why the quote supports your thesis.
Avoid plot summary—only provide the necessary context relevant for your argument
Do not forget to cite (in-text citation) the literary text every time you refer to it
Use the “literary present” – whenever we discuss literature, we use the present tense
Use the 3
rd
person in your formal essay. Do not use the "I” or the “you,” but instead say, "the reader" or "the character.”
Include persuasive evidence from the literary text
Developa logical, insightful, and coherentanalysisthatexpands on the significance of the textual evidence through the lens of a critical theory
Cite in APA or MLA Style (formatting, in-text citations, References/Works Cited page). If you choose APA, do not forget to include a title page.