Writing Assignment #7: The Final Intertextual Analysis

Details

Date introduced: 5/4
Paper Proposal: 5/8
Structural Outline: 5/12
Complete draft due: 5/18
Final draft due: 5/29

Rubric: Grad Portfolio Literary Analysis.pdf

Submission Checklist: submissionChecklist.pdf

At least 1800 words, 6 pages double-spaced
Addresses at least two of the books we have read this year
Observes proper MLA technique when citing sources in the text
Includes a properly formatted Works Cited list at the end of the paper
Submitted with signed submission checklist paper-clipped to the top
Name, date, and block printed in upper right corner
Academic formatting: double-spaced, 12-point serif font, etc.
Carefully proofread

For your last major literary analysis of the year, construct an argument or otherwise wrestle with a question that extends across multiple works of literature by multiple authors.

The paper must address at least two of the books we have read this year, but you may incorporate any other literature that you wish.

Here are some examples of intertextual thesis statements:

In good literature, characters tend not to be wholly good or wholly evil.
No matter what the culture or the time period, betrayal is the ultimate sin.
Modernity is not just the questioning of truth; it is a challenge to the very concept of order.
Men seem to get to choose their fate; women have their fate handed to them.

We will move through this essay in steps:

Step One: Paper Proposal
Step Two: Structural Outline
Step Three: First Complete Draft
Step Four: Final Draft

You must observe proper citation technique when quoting or paraphrasing sources in your text, and include a list of “Works Cited” at the end of your paper. Please refer to resources on my website for citing sources.

Step One: Paper Proposal

Due Friday 5/8

Your first step is to propose a paper topic. With at least two healthy paragraphs, write a proposal in which you do the following:

present your topic or thesis as it now stands and why you want to explore it
identify the works of literature you will use to argue your thesis
explain what will be challenging about this analysis

Bring in a typed copy of your proposal on the due date; you will share your proposal with the class in a read-around.

Step Two: Structural Outline

Due Tuesday 5/12

In whatever format is most comfortable to you, sketch out a structural outline of your paper. Think of what your reader needs to understand the logic of your thinking on this topic. You can use roman numerals, bullet points, a sequence of topic sentences, visual diagrams, concept maps, whatever works best for you. Your outline does not need to give sentence-level detail, but it should provide an estimate of the order and sequence of your paragraphs. Your overall thesis should be apparent by this outline.

Step Three: Complete First Draft

Due Monday 5/18

A complete draft is at least six pages, is readable, and has a recognizable beginning, middle, and end.

This is an important step that you must take seriously and for which you must meet the deadline. Much of classtime during the week of 5/18 will be devoted to revision exercises on this draft.

Step Four: Final Draft

Due Friday 5/29

Posted by Justin Wells : 05/02/2009