Write an argumentative essay focusing on multiple texts (no more than 3) by the same author that makes a specific claim about two or more of the course readings (Adventure; Hands; and Death by Sherwood Anderson). The claim should incorporate some specific school of literary theory. Support this claim and argument in a well-developed, well-written, and well-organized essay of at least 1500-1800 words of text (not counting the works cited page) and must also successfully use at least 3 critical secondary sources (6 sources total; 3 story/3 outside).
Once you have decided on a topic, begin doing preliminary research. Read what other literary critics have said. This will help you to further narrow down your topic, and even to find some of the sources you will end up using in the paper. Remember that you are a literary critic toothis means you should feel free to question and disagree with the interpretations you read.
Make sure your thesis is an arguable one, something with which readers might actually agree or disagree. Dont be afraid to take a leap and put forward a new, creative, and/or unique interpretation, provided you can support that claim with reasonable textual evidence and research.
Your paper must incorporate information from outside sources. Remember that you have three methods for incorporating outside information into any paper: you can quote (use the sources exact words), paraphrase (put the sources words into your own words), or summarize (boil down information from a source to a 1-2 sentence summary in your own words). Also, remember that each of these needs methods to be cited using correct MLA formatting.
Avoid unnecessary plot summaries and/or biographical information. Assume that your reader has already read the work you are discussing– readers don’t need your help understanding what happens in a story; they need your help understanding why these things happened and what they might mean.
Remember that sources like Wikipedia, Sparknotes, and other open-web sources are not appropriate for this paper. Conduct your research through reputable sources/libraries like a real researcher, rather than relying on Google.
MLA formatting for style, in-text citations, and works cited entries is a significant part of this paper. Review grade feedback on past response papers for help with this!
Organize your argument to maximize its effectiveness. Your introduction should include a thesis. Each paragraph of your paper should include a topic sentence that references your thesis. Each sentence in each paragraph should directly support that paragraphs topic sentence.
