Task: Make a thesis-driven argument about any of the texts we have discussed in class and use at least one critical source to do so. Like the close reading essay, you should pay attention to narrative, tone, rhythm, imagery, word choice, characterization, symbolism, and anything else that strikes you as notable. Unlike the close reading essay, you will be responding to past scholarship.

Posted: April 19th, 2022

Task: Make a thesis-driven argument about any of the texts we have discussed in class and use at least one critical source to do so. Like the close reading essay, you should pay attention to narrative, tone, rhythm, imagery, word choice, characterization, symbolism, and anything else that strikes you as notable. Unlike the close reading essay, you will be responding to past scholarship. Are you building on another argument, offering additional substantiation? Or are you disagreeing with the argument and proposing an alternate reading? Perhaps your essay adjusts or amends your critical source without entirely discrediting it.

Purpose: Scholarship is a centuries-long, ongoing conversation—it doesn’t just take place in the classroom. With this assignment, I’d like you to join that conversation, adding your own voice to a continuous debate.

Audience: Someone who has already read your text—in other words, there is no need to summarize characters or plot outside of a few contextualizing sentences

Format: Times New Roman, 12-point font, double spaced, 1-inch margins, MLA citations, title, 1200 words

Evaluative Criteria: I will be looking for a coherent argument, an entrance into a critical conversation, and strong use of textual evidence. Furthermore, I will reward original thinking and expect your citations to conform to MLA guidelines.