Textual Analysis Essay
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Your textual analysis of The Power should hone in on a specific area of the book that you find merits further discussion. Your essay must be guided by a thesis statement that, in keeping with the theme of the course, applies the lens of gender.
• Does Alderman’s use of trauma in The Power subvert or reinforce the belief that power corrupts? How does this loss of power, acquiring of power, desire to inflict trauma, or requirement to withstand trauma intersect with the characters’ genders?
• The Power, published in 2016, is often associated with current feminism and the #MeToo movement. Does Alderman’s avoidance of addressing other power structures (e.g. race, ability, economic class, sexuality) serve a narrative purpose?
• “There are strange movements rising now, not only across the world, but right here in the U.S. of A.You can see it on the internet. Boys dressing as girls to seem more powerful. Girls dressing as boys to shake off the meaning of the power, or to leap on the unsuspecting, wolf in sheep’s clothing” (Alderman, 77). Are these lines, found as Margot’s internal narrative, Alderman’s singular nod toward the transgender community in The Power? Does Alderman’s depiction of the motivation to present as a gender other than the one assigned at birth espouse or encourage a trans-exclusionary radical feminist view?
Requirements:
• 1100 - 1500 words
• Creative and specific title
• Presentation of a focused and arguable thesis statement
• Show awareness of the rhetorical context
• Use of textual evidence in the form of quotes, paraphrases, and summarization
• Clear organization
• MLA format (including in-text citations & Work Cited page)
Rubric:
Criteria A B C D F
Thesis & Support The reader finds a thought- provoking, easily identifiable main idea. The argument is supported with relevant, carefully selected personal evidence and narrative. All aspects of the paper clearly and successfully support the argument. The reader can determine the author’s argument and finds it original and/or insightful enough. The argument is supported with sufficient personal evidence and narrative.
With one or two minor exceptions, information clearly supports the argument. The reader finds a single controlling idea that, although it needs further development, is somewhat original or insightful. The argument has some convincing supporting personal evidence. A few points or scenes are not well developed and/ or do not support the author’s argument. The reader does not find a clear, single and/or arguable idea with adequate support. A significant amount of information does not clearly support a central argument and/ or is not well considered. No narrative elements to support the argument. • The paper does not meet the minimum requirement of the assignment.
• The paper, or some portion of it, is plagiarized.
• Mechanical, stylistic and/ or grammatical problems prevent understanding
Reasoning The argument is complex or nuanced. The author subtly and gracefully acknowledges and deals with possible reader objections or concerns. The argument is somewhat nuanced. The author acknowledges and contends with some possible reader concerns or objections. The argument or the author’s reasoning is somewhat obvious or simplistic. Little attempt is made to deal with possible reader concerns or objections. The argument is simplistic. The author does not respond to any possible reader concerns or objections.
Organization The organization and structure seem fluid and natural; they help the writer’s purpose. The writing is organized seamlessly to develop the main idea. All paragraphs are fully developed; transitions occur naturally. The reader finds the author in full control of the discussion.
Ideas are connected fluidly and sensibly, and the organization helps the writer’s purpose.
Transitions are used, but a few could be stronger. Most paragraphs are well-developed. The reader discerns a basic structure, but better organization and/or stronger transitions are needed.
Paragraphs require more development or focus, better internal organization, further division, or better placement. The reader finds it difficult to discern a progression of ideas. The piece does not seem unified, and paragraphs are undeveloped, disorganized, undivided, and/ or unfocused.
Style The language is precise and concise. The reader is thoroughly engaged by the writer’s voice. The tone is consistent, audience aware, and helps the argument. Most sentences are clear and concise. The reader’s attention is kept through a natural voice.
The tone is almost always consistent and is appropriate for the topic, audience, and purpose. There may be some wordiness or unclear sentences.
There is some awkwardness, but the writing communicates the point. The tone is generally consistent and does not detract from the argument, purpose, or audience awareness. The reader finds sentence structures and/ or word choice confusing. The tone is flat, inconsistent or inappropriate for the topic, audience and/ or purpose.
Grammar & Mechanics Virtually error free writing. The reader finds isolated writing errors, but they do not distract from the content. The reader finds writing errors which, although distracting, do not hinder understanding. Inadequate proofreading. The reader finds significant writing errors that distract from the content and/or hinder understanding.