Analysis, Short Fiction (3-5 pages): You will write a literary analysis on either (1) a literary work in the text not discussed in class, (2) a comparison of two works not read in class, or (3) a comparison of a work not read in class with one read in class. Note: this is not a paper that merely evaluates one or two works.

Helpful Hints:

Although I've indicated that 3 pages is the minimum, it's unlikely that you can provide a sufficient analysis in that page length. And you can, by the way, go over the 5 page length.

Have a unifying theme to your paper. If you were to analyze the depiction of male characters in Kate Chopin's work, you would need, within the first paragraph or 2, state what it is you're trying to prove or defend. Go beyond comparing and contrasting; identify the significance of your findings, argument, thesis.

Include an introduction. Your introduction might include the statement you want to prove or defend.

Use textual support (a requirement). Textual support is merely quotations from the texts you're using. It's one thing to say Kate Chopin depicts males in a negative light; it's another to use quoted material from the text to prove it. That's what I'm looking for. Quoted material.

When you use quoted material, introduce it, explain it, and provide an in-text citation (page number where the quoted material can be found). For instance:

Mr. Pontellier's attitudes about Edna, in part, stem from his belief that she "was not a mother-woman" (547). As the narrator tells us through Mr. Ponteillier's eyes that should "one of the little Pontellier boys took a tumble whilst at play, he was not apt to rush crying to his mother's arms for comfort; he would more likely pick himself up, wipe the water out of his eyes and the sand out of his mouth, and go on playing" (547). He wold not run to his mother. Clearly, Mr. Pontellier feels that Edna does not "idolize" her children (nor they her) as the other mothers of Grand Isle do. They establish the ideal for female behavior, and Edna represents the very opposite.

Keep summaries to a minimum. Assume that I haven't read the texts about which you are writing; however, summarize only what is necessary for a reader to know in order to understand your paper.

Avoid "In conclusion." I can generally tell you've reached your conclusion.

Avoid simply restating your thesis/argument in the conclusion. Use this as a place to speculate, to draw some conclusions.

Dr. Stewart
English 201.007
Fall, 2004