Assignment

Instructions: Your first essay, the short fiction essay, is due at the end of week two.

(RIP VAN WINKLE BY: WASHINGTON IRVING) Think about what you believe the theme/point is behind the story. After you have a plan, begin to write a draft of your short fiction essay. Make sure to review the readings from Lesson One. You are expected to understand this information. Also incorporate the literary vocabulary discussed in lesson one, most specifically the elements of fiction: "The Elements of Fiction" and "Elements of Fiction." Use New Criticism to interpret your chosen short story within your essay; that is, you should offer a close reading of your chosen short story. Cite from your chosen short story, and do not use any other additional sources in your work. Your interpretation must be at least 500 words, but no more than 750 words.

Remember the following:

1. Avoid any and all summary sites within your essay. See the week two lesson for a list of these sites.

2. Use MLA format and citations in this essay. See the sample essay for an example of an MLA formatted essay.

3. Make sure your essay has a clear introduction and thesis statement (topic plus point about that topic) at the bottom of your introduction. Introduce your chosen short story in your introduction.

4. Make sure your body paragraphs are focus on proving your thesis statement - theme of the story. Do not summarize the story. I have read the story and know it well. I want to know your unique interpretation of this story.

5. See the following sample essay. Note that this essay is a bit longer than what is expected, and also note that you may not write an essay using the same focus as this sample Hawthorne essay. However, this essay may help you understand the expectations for this assignment.

6. Make sure to have a conclusion that does not bring in new information.

7. Use literary present and third person in your essay, as discussed in lesson two.