Essay 1

Description: 3-4 pages, proper format (double-spaced, 11 pt Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins), plus separate MLA-format Works Cited page

Objective: To thoughtfully analyze a text, attending to a particular topic or theme; use evidence to develop and support a thesis

Sources: Choose one of the literary texts we have read thus far

Performa close reading of fictional passages and quotations to make an argument about what we can learn from one of the texts we have read in class. More specifically, what do this text reveal about a particular topic or theme? So What? You may want to consider one (or two) of the possible topics/themes below to drive your analysis:

The Family: adolescence, coming-of-age, marriage, parenthood/motherhood, childhood

Social Class: Wealth and Poverty, Education, Profession, Work, Slavery

Gender and Sexuality: Femininity, Masculinity, Sexuality

Nation and Nationhood: Race, Slavery vs Freedom, the Other, Space and Place, Imperialism

Memory and Trauma: War, Violence, Madness

Religion: Christianity, Missionary work, the Occult, Judaism

These are just some suggestions. You are welcome to explore other possible themes, and, of course, some of these topics overlap in the texts.

There are three major aspects to this paper:

1) Thesis

• Create a thesis explaining how each text represents the same cultural theme.

• Evolve your thesis by exploring details/quotations from the texts.

2) Analysis

• Perform a close analysis of evidence from the text you choose. It is best to focus on specific quotations and the words in particular passages for your evidence, rather than plot in order to avoid falling into plot summary.

• Remember, you need 3-5 sentences of analysis for each piece of evidence. Also remember to actually analyze each text, not simply evaluate which you found more successful or interesting.

• Consider how you can use those details to make an argument about each text's engagement with your chosen topic/theme. So what?

3) Structure

• Thesis drives the overall organization of the paper

• Strong topic sentences guide the reader through your argument

• Paragraphs smoothly introduce evidence and apply analysis

• Transitions guide the reader through each step of the developing argument

Criteria for Evaluation:

• Specific, focused, complex thesis that focuses upon a theme or topic which the text engages, and evolves throughout the paper

• Analysis of specific details (quotations) from the text with very limited plot summary

• Strong topic sentences, smaller claims, and concrete textual evidence to support the major claims

• A clear essay structure, including: a focused introduction, coherent body paragraphs with strong topic sentences, logical transitions between paragraphs, and a meaningful conclusion presenting a more complex version of your initial thesis and gesturing toward the larger implications of your argument

• Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, andMLA citation

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yu5n40etli18tn1/kipling_the_mark_of_the_beast_1_1.rar?dl=0