English 102

Prof. Denbo

Paper 3: Prewriting Proposal for Paper 4:

“Othello: Teach Us how to Tell His (Her) Story.”

Paper Format:

Section 1: Topic Proposal, Working Thesis and Paper Overview

In your first paragraph, state your proposed topic and working thesis for Paper 4. Provide any context or background information regarding what you hope to analyze and teach your reader about your character’s role in the play and why his/her character is significant for us today. Explain why your character’s story is of interest to you – what questions you have and why you have chosen him/her for your final paper.

In your second paragraph, write a one (or two) paragraph overview of key points you will analyze and explore in support of your critical focus/thesis for your paper. Key points often serve as topic sentences for paragraphs that will develop your interpretation using textual evidence from

the play, and, when appropriate, added material from secondary sources.

Section 2. Annotations and MLA Citations of Secondary and Critical Sources on Othello

Write a brief annotation for each of the three secondary sources you will use for your paper. Your annotated bibliography is directly related to your final paper. Your sources either back up (agree), refute (disagree), or add new insights in relation to the critical argument you will present in your paper regarding your character’s story.

Format each annotation in three brief paragraphs as below. Each annotation will be about 250 words. List bibliographic citations in MLA format, then double space and follow with single spaced paragraph(s). (See the sample annotation of a journal article below.)

1). Identify the critic’s main point (argument) and purpose in two to three sentences. Be specific. (If using a podcast or film, what is the main point or purpose of the ‘text.’)

2). Select at least one key point the critic (or text) makes that you agree with, disagree with, or that adds new insight to your topic. Paraphrase the point and quote briefly, then state why you agree, disagree, or found new meaning in the point the critic and critical source makes.

3). Briefly explain how the source’s interpretation of Othello will fit into your final paper, how it adds to a key point you want to make.

Sample Annotation of an Academic Journal Article:

Grennan, Eamon. “The Women’s Voices in ‘Othello’: Speech, Song, Silence.” Shakespeare Quarterly,

vol. 38, no. 3, 1987, pp. 275–292. www.jstor.org/stable/2870503.

Eamon Grennan emphasizes the importance of speech in Othello, which is usually associated with male voices, especially Othello’s eloquence as well as Iago’s sharp wit. Grennan, however, focuses on women’s voices in the play, Desdemona and Emilia but also Bianca, whose role even though small is “indispensable” to the “dramatic design of the play” (282).

Grennan highlights the exchange of voices between Emilia and Desdemona as the women ready Desdemona for bed in a particularly feminine space protected from men. Act 4 scene 3, is a poignant “piece of theatre” as the rhythmic exchange of women’s voices calls us to attention. Especially moving for Grennan is “the rise and fall of voices engaged in intimate conversation: the brief, beautiful pause in the center of action the song makes; the reassuring world of ordinary objects alluded to; the mounting intensity of Emilia’s defense of wives; the dying fall of Desdemona’s concluding prayer” (277). Unlike the men, the women’s voices invoke a different sense of intimacy through the rhythmic texture of sound and response.

This article will be very helpful to my paper. Grennan focuses on the different views Emilia and Desdemona share about love and marital fidelity, about men as well as women, while their conversation underlines the personal connection between women. Since I’m especially interested in Desdemona and Emilia’s voices in the play — their imposed silence in a world of men — this article will help support my critical focus.

Paper 3 due date: Upload Paper 3 to the Bb Turnitin link prior to our virtual class, Tuesday, November 30.

Paper Length: about 2 pages.

Please note: Paper 3 must be submitted no later than Dec. 10. Your final paper must develop this prewriting proposal or lose significant credit unless you first meet with me to discuss or outline any change. In order to receive credit, Paper 4 must develop your prewriting assignment (Paper 3).

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