Paper #1: Short Story Analysis B

PURPOSE
To analyze and think critically about short stories that we’ve read as a class and to consider how specific elements of those short stores work in multiple stories.

ASSIGNMENT
Choose one of the following:
A.)All of the writers we’ve read so far are considered masters of their craft. But even great writers sometimes fail to engage or please their readers.

Choose an element* from one of the stories we’ve read so far—dialogue, characterization, setting, point of view, etc.—that didn’t work for you or left you feeling unsatisfied.

Consider why the author made the choices he/she did, then compare that to another story we’ve read that, in your opinion, treats that element more successfully.

B.)Choose an author that we’ve read and read one or two additional short stories by that author. Focusing on one or two specific elements* of fiction, compare how the author uses these elements.

SKILLS TO DEVELOP
Identification and analysis of short story elements.
Critical reading, analysis, and comparison of short stories.

GUIDELINES
Your paper should…
Include a clear, well-articulated purpose (or thesis).
be clearly organized.
thoughtfully analyze the texts in question.
provide specific examples from the texts.
use appropriate, consistent, and correct citations in MLA format.

However, your paper should NOT…
focus on summarizing the texts.
be reductive or provide superficial analysis.
provide unsupported claims.
use unnecessarily long quotes.

FORMATTING
Due date: The first draft is due Monday, February 18.
The final draft is due Monday, March 18.
Length:      You should aim for around 1,200-1,500 words
(approximately 4.5-6 double-spaced pages).
Font:           Please use an easy to read, normal sized font.
Other:        I’m not really picky about formatting. Please just
don’t do anything silly
Citations: Please use correct, consistent MLA citations for
this paper (both in-text and works cited).

          MECHANICS
      I may comment on patterns of grammar, 
      punctuation, and syntax use, but I will not 
      specifically grade you on these. However, you  
      should aim to have you writing as clear,   
      concise, and comprehensible as possible. If I 
      can’t understand what you’re saying, that’s a 
      problem.

GRADING
For this assignment, you will be graded on two major areas:

  1. Analysis
    Your analysis of the texts should:
    be thoughtful, critical and insightful.
    include comparisons that move beyond the superficial.
    Address specific elements of fiction and consider them in relation to specific texts.
  2. Organizational and Rhetorical Effectiveness
    Your paper should:
    have a clear, well-articulated purpose (ie. thesis).
    be organized in a way that is coherent and easy to follow.
    show clear connections between ideas and between different sections of your paper.
    use substantive and relevant examples drawn from appropriate texts.
    acknowledge and respond to counterclaims or other perspectives, when appropriate.