Assignment
Details: This literary analysis essay focuses on analyzing elements of fiction within two texts. When writing such essays, you make connections between texts, engage in critical thinking, and go beyond mere description or summary. For this essay, you will be analyzing a similar theme within two short stories--Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist" and James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues". You will be discussing how the two stories share a similar theme (either alienation from society or art as demanding sacrifice). Please follow guidelines and worksheets for outlining your essay before you begin writing your draft.
ESSAY QUESTIONS OPTIONS: Choose one of the two questions to respond to in your essay.
1. Both the hunger artist and Sonny are willing to suffer for their art. How does James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" and Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist," focus on the theme of art as demanding complete individual sacrifice. Use evidence from both texts to back up the claim you make.
2. How does James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" and Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist," focus on the theme of alienation from community. Use evidence from both texts to back up the claims you make.
Requirements:
? Your essay should be between 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced with one inch margins, using Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font.
? Follow the MLA format (MLA heading, double-space, blue or black ink, etc.); format and cite your quotations correctly in the MLA style.
You are required to have a Works Cited page at the end of your essay with your 2 sources ("A Hunger Artist" and "Sonny's Blues"). I will send out reminders of how to cite sources in MLA, but you can also refer to your handbook.
? Formulate a clear and focused thesis following thesis guidelines with focused body paragraphs that defend thesis.
? Use quotations from your 2 primary sources--James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" and Franz Kafka's "A Hunger Artist". Don't forget ICE: Introduce quote, cite quote, and explain quote to relate back to your thesis.
? Use formal language ( no "I" or "you," no contractions, no slang, etc.) and high level of insight into the short story in order to express ideas smoothly, clearly, and fluently. (Bring a dictionary or thesaurus if you need it.)
? You are required to have at least 3 in text citations per source--totalling 6 in text citations.
? Use appropriate punctuation, capitalization, spelling, grammar, and paragraph.