Description
Make an argument about a short story from the Norton Introduction to Literature textbook that we have not examined in class and support it with a literary analysis of the story. Students will come up with a topic that interests them (see prompts below), formulate a narrow thesis, and support the thesis with a literary analysis of the text.
The introduction to the Argumentative Essay should contain a brief introduction and paraphrase of the story, an explanation of the story's theme, the thesis statement and forecast. Each paragraph will support the thesis with clear topic sentences, which in turn will be supported by examples and quotations from the story. The conclusion paragraph should bring a sense of completeness and closure to the essay.
The Argumentative Essay is worth 150 points. This essay must be at least 1200 words. A significant grade reduction (and possible failure of the assignment) will occur if the word count is below 1200 words. See the syllabus for formatting and submission requirements.
You may chose from one of the essay prompts below
Essay Prompts:
- Why does Connie leave with Arnold Friend at the end of Joyce Carol Oates' "Where are You Going, Where Have you Been" (125)?
- James Baldwin once stated, "I grew up with music, you know, much more than with any other language. In a way the music I grew up with saved my life.” How does music save lives in Balwin's "Sunny's Blues?" (93).
- Analyze point-of-view and narration in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" (178). Is the narator reliable?
- How does Jing-Mei's definition of Chinese change throughout Amy Tan's "A Pair of Tickets" (302)?
- In Herman Melville's "Bartleby, The Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street" (661), why does Bartleby refuse to write?
- What do the three items the kids encounter at the toy store symbolize in Toni Cade Bambara's "The Lesson" (146)?
- Analyze setting in James Joyce's "Araby" (168). How does the setting shape the characters and plot of the story?
Your answers to these questions must be supported with a literary analysis of the text!