| Note:
The assignment sheet might not be stylistically correct. Use
your paper copy of the assignment sheet to check documentation for your Works
Cited page. Documented Paper Assignment Sheet English 210 Spring 2008 Newsome’s Section In order to fulfill the requirements for the course, you will complete a documented paper, using MLA style. This paper should be two to four pages long and should respond effectively to the assignment requirements. This paper is 15% of your final grade. This paper will utilize the Elements of the Short Story (handout) and information in your textbook (The Elements of Fiction, pages 1742-1757) as a basis for analyzing a short story. You may also use the Critical Approaches to Literature handout. The Assignment In essence, this assignment is will discuss one or two elements of the short story (plot, theme, characters, setting, point of view…and/or any particular points which go along with these major elements, such as tone, dialogue, symbols, irony…). You can also use one of the critical approaches to literature to evaluate the story (Historical, Feminist, Marxist, etc.). You will have two stories to choose from; you will only choose one story to write about for this paper. As the reader, you will formulate some ideas about the elements of fiction you choose to respond to for this paper. All readers bring different experiences and interpretations to the reading which is what you will explain in the paper. (In order to understand Reader-Response as a critical approach, read page 1801 in your text book, “Reader-Response Criticism.”) Reading Choices McKnight, Reginald. “The Kind of Light That Shines on Texas.” Texas Bound: 19 Texas Stories. Ed. Kay Cattarulla. Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press. 1995. 159-167. Williams, Lynna. “Personal Testimony.” Texas Bound: 19 Texas Stories. Ed. Kay Cattarulla. Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press. 1995. 191- 204. Text Book Source Charters, Ann, ed. The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. (Add page numbers at the end of the Text Book citation…) Procedure for Starting the Paper 1. Read both stories. Choose the one you want to respond to for the paper. Choose ideas for the paper (see below). 2. Be able to choose particular passages from the story to support the ideas you choose to discuss. When you choose the passages, copy them accurately (using in-text citations) and respond accordingly. 4. In your response, you may use “I” statements, but you should go beyond just stating whether you like the story or not. Your points should have a focus; use some of the elements of the short story we’ve discussed all semester. 5. Be specific and be sure to adequately discuss the elements you choose. 6. The documentation for the paper will include the story you choose to discuss and any information from the text book you use. You should not have additional outside sources. This is your response, based on what you know about the elements of the short story. Choosing Points Here are some options for the paper, though you are not limited to these. 1. Choose characters (or a character) to analyze. You can consider their behavior, their motivations, whether or not they are consistent. How does the reader get to know the characters? 2. You can look at themes in the story. Which themes seem to stand out? How are the themes developed (through characters, conflict, other)? 3. You might examine the setting for the story. Is it authentic for the time period? Would the story change significantly if the setting were different? How does the historical context (yours and the story’s) influence your interpretation of the story? 4. How is the plot in the story presented? How is the work structured? How are the conflicts developed? Is there a satisfying resolution to the plot? 5. What visual images come to mind as you read the story? Are there symbols which have meaning? What kinds of descriptive passages stand out in the story? How does description influence the story and your interpretation of it? 6. Are there sociological considerations in the story? In other words, are there class differences, socio-economic differences, and/or power relationships between or among groups which affect the characters, themes, plot? What about gender roles? Are there clear representations of females’ roles? Remember, you are not limited to these ideas. Review your notes and decide what you want to discuss. Organizing the Paper Introduction Offer a brief summary of the story (no more than 1/3 of a page). Include a clear thesis statement (a statement of purpose): In this paper, I will…. The purpose of this paper is to….. Two points I will discuss in the paper are…. Discussion Sections A topic sentence should frame each discussion section (look at your thesis statement; bring those ideas into the topic sentence) Develop your ideas using passages from the story (examples) and your interpretations of the particular points you will discuss Conclusion Summarize your response to the story Paper Requirements Word-process the paper in a 12 point, normal font (no curly-cue fonts, please…). Double-space the paper. The paper should be two to four pages in length. The paper should be documented using MLA style (both in-text documentation and the Works Cited page). See the Writing Center web page for online handbooks (www.tarleton.edu/~writingcenter). The sources should be the story you choose and your text-book. Do not use additional outside sources. (Your class handouts can be used as well—no need to document them.) Evaluation Criteria 1. Does the paper respond effectively to the assignment? Is the focus of the paper clearly identified in the thesis statement? 2. Is the paper clearly organized and easy to follow? Are all of the ideas developed in detail? Are the examples from the book clear? 3. Is the paper documented according to MLA style? Are other conventions of MLA style used appropriately? 4. Has the writer adequately controlled the conventions of academic writing? Are spelling, word usage, word choice, and other considerations up to the standards for a college level paper? 5. Is the paper the writer’s own work? You may get help from the tutors in the University Writing Center (O.A. Grant Building/Humanities 210) or from me (O.A. Grant Building/Humanities 338). You should not get writing help or editing help from your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, mechanic, veterinarian, roommate, high school English teacher, or anyone else who does not understand the goals of the course and the paper. Important Dates Tuesday, March 25: Discuss the paper in class. Thursday, March 27: No class in English 210. (Ms. Newsome will be off campus for the afternoon.) Read both stories. Choose the one you will focus on for the paper. Write down three or four ideas you have for the paper. Bring those ideas to class on Tuesday, April 1 (no it’s not an April Fool’s prank…). Tuesday, April 1: Bring your possible paper topics to class—you only have to have two discussion points, but you might want to “over-plan” just in case something doesn’t work out. We’ll discuss the paper further; come with questions. (Keep up with your reading, too.) Tuesday, April 29: The paper is due by 3:00; drop it by my office. You may turn the paper in earlier if you wish. I do not accept late papers. Include the following: Final Copy (first, should be the first thing I see) Rough Draft(s) Notes |