The Critical Reflection Essay (4 pages long)

I. In this essay, students reflect critically on an aspect of their life or identity by connecting to something external to themselves: others' lived experience, a culture they are claiming or rejecting, an issue, or an idea--all depending upon the instructor's chosen focus for the class readings. Most importantly, the critical reflection essay begins a process of self-critical reflection that carries throughout the semester as students become analysts and editors of their own and others work.

II. Critical Reflection on Bartleby, The Scrivener

For this first unit essay, choose a particular image/scene/idea from Bartleby, The Scrivener and explain how it connects to your own life experience in some significant way. Don't worry about choosing a "right" answer here. As you may have noted from our class discussion, even though the story was written in the 19th century, certain ideas/events would have meaning for audiences today. All of us have different lives and therefore relate to art in different ways. Your goal in this assignment is to show your particular relation, first by offering a detailed description of an image/scene/idea from the novella, and then by explaining how that image/scene/idea relates to some aspect of your own life. While it's unlikely that any of us have witnessed a human suffering at the extent of the story, we all have experienced or witnessing social injustice, degradation, exploitation, etc. In other words, there are many, many ways of identifying with the message of the story.

III. Your paper must use MLA format.

IV. Your paper must be edited, proofread, and submitted on Blackboard.

Formatting  :
This refers to all of the visual features of your essay: heading, title, margins, fonts, in-text citations, and Works Cited page.

Clarity  :
This refers to all elements of grammar, punctuation, syntax, and style that have an impact on your reader.

Organization  :
This refers to the basic structure of the essay (intro., body, conclusion), but also the paragraphing and transitions, hence the overall logical flow.

Development  :
This includes everything from appropriate overall length of the essay to the development of background summary and specific analysis within paragraphs.

Complexity  :
Another form of proper analytical development, complexity refers to the depth of engagement with the primary source and the degree to which the writer develops his or her own position.