Gen. Lit. 113
Dr. Nichols

Paper:  Literary Analysis

PAPER TOPIC:
In a 2-page paper (typed, double-spaced), discuss the theme of growing up  EITHER  in Mary Hood's "How Far She Went"  (717-23)  OR  in Richard Wright's "The Man Who Was Almost a Man" (402-12).

For Hood's story,  there are some  study questions on  pp. 723-4 that might be helpful.  Some study questions for Wright's story appear on p. 412.   And here are some additional questions you might consider in relation to your selected story:  Why is the young person having trouble growing up?  How does he/she relate to his/her family and the larger environment in which the story takes place?  What is the central event that changes the direction of their story?  Is it a positive or negative experience?  What has the main character learned by the end of the story?  Is it a positive or a negative kind of knowledge?  Will it lead to an improved self-image in the future, or will it leave him/her emotionally or psychologically handicapped in some respect?  What details and examples ("evidence") from the text support your interpretation of the author's maturation theme? 

NOTE:  Do not organize your paper as a series of answers to those questions or you will probably have a rather disorganized paper.  (See directions below on "Organizing Your Paper.")
 

GENERAL QUESTIONS (both stories):
What values or forces or attitudes are in conflict in the story?  How is the conflict hinted at early in the story?  What words or actions early in the story "foreshadow" the direction the plot will take later in the story--or maybe even the ending of the story?

What major episode forms the turning point mid-way through the story?  Study it closely, focusing on why it is significant and how it changes the direction of the last half of the story.  How does it relate to the developing conflict?

Also look closely at the ending.  How have things changed? Is the conflict resolved negatively or positively?  What does it all add up to in terms of theme? How do we know? 
 

DUE DATE: 3-27-08  (Thurs.)  Late papers will be graded down.
 

ORGANIZING/FOCUSING YOUR PAPER
In an analytic paper, you will need a clearly defined introduction, a long body section citing many details and examples from the story, and a separate concluding paragraph.  Here is a basic format you should follow.  (NOTE:  You may want to review the sample paper "Writing to Analyze" on pp. 114-121 as a model for your paper.)

• Introduction:  Introductions in short papers should be short.  Write a couple sentences introducing your topic (male-female  relationships, for instance).  Include author and title.  Sometimes a one-sentence summary of what the story  is about is good at the beginning.  Suggest why your topic or text is significant or relevant. The last sentence in the introduction should be your thesis statement--the overall conclusion you have drawn about the assigned topic.  Remember that your thesis is what the rest of the paper will be about.
   

• Body of Paper:  Since you can't talk about everything at once, sub-divide your thesis/conclusion into 2-3 sub-points.   Those sub-points will form the topic sentences placed at the beginnings of the body paragraphs.  Each topic sentence should be followed by lots of details and examples and short quotations that support the point you are making in that paragraph.  Make sure you discuss/explain/analyze those details and quotations--why are they revealing or significant?
  
  Put quotation marks around all quotations (even one word quotations) and insert a page number (in parenthesis) directly after all quotations. 
  
  (NOTE:  I hate skimpy paragraphs that are only 1-2 sentences long; put some meat on those bones--another 4-6 sentences of details and examples and explanations, please!) 
  
  WRITING TIP:  Sometimes it is most effective to arrange your sub-points according to the Order of Climax--begin with your second-best sub-point followed by your weakest sub-point and then work your way back up to your best sub-point at the end so that the paper finishes on a strong note.
   

• Conclusion:   Conclusions in short papers should be short--maybe 2-3 sentences long.  Begin the concluding paragraph with a re-statement of your opening thesis/conclusion--but in language very different than was used in the introduction.  In a couple more sentences, refer to your topic as  a whole--why it is significant and worth studying, for instance, or finally, what it all adds up to.  (NOTE:  In a short paper, do not repeat your sub-points--much too repetitious.)
   

TYPING DIRECTIONS:
Double-space everything; include one-inch margins on all sides; use font Times New Roman 11 or 12.  Put the page number in top right-hand corner (with your last name) 1/2 inch from the top.  (Neatly hand-write it in if you don't know how to do that on your computer.)  On page one, begin with your name, name of class, my name, and date on right or left side, followed by a centered title for the paper (all on separate, double-spaced lines).  Proofread for typing errors--they count as grammar errors.
 

NOTE ON PLAGIARISM:
If you consult any outside materials or "borrow" ideas/language from any other source, you must fully document that usage by using MLA in-text citation (plus a Works Cited page at the end).  If you fail to do that, your paper will be guilty of PLAGIARISM and, at the very least, earn an F. 

If you do not "borrow" ideas or language from any outside sources, no documentation is needed and you cannot be accused of plagiarizing.  The assignment is being made on the assumption that you will do your own work and  NOT consult outside sources.

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