Writing Critically, part deux

Lets go to Case Western's website and look at some craft considerations for literary analysis thesis statements...

After discussing the ideas at Case's website, I want you to practice writing strong thesis statements and introduction paragraphs that include the craft considerations found there.

Our sacrificial lamb is Tobias Wolff's "In the Garden of the North American Martyrs." Write a thesis statement that interprets the concept of martyr and how Wolff uses the concept in the story. To do so, you will have to write an introduction that argues who the martyrs are within this story, and why those characters are martyrs.

Remember: a good thesis and introduction in a literary analysis essay (or any essay) works to contextualize the story towards its argument...

Lit Crit Essay 2

Craft Analysis (200pts)

Due: Monday, June 15, 2009 by noon, either in mailbox or by e-mail

Write a literary analysis of two stories reading during the Spring term. At least one of the stories must be from second half of the quarter.

- You will want to have a thesis statement that clarifies what in your comparison you are focusing on showing to audience.
- As always, provide textual evidence that supports thesis, and explain how evidence does so.
- Cite the page number of all quoted, paraphrased or summarized text from the stories at the end of each citation.
- Provide Work Cited Page
- For longer quotes (four lines or more) follow special MLA formatting guidelines
- Provide a title that clarifies thesis and subject matter – be creative, grab reader’s attention. This will be part of essay grade.
- Avoid use of “I” in essay, as “I” is NOT the subject. The use or non-use of first person has nothing to do with “my opinion.” Use of this rhetorical structure has to deal with subject of writing. “I” is not the subject. The stories and the writers are.

The essay must be a minimum of three (3) complete pages, double-spaced, using a 12-point standard font, with a maximum length of five (5) pages.


Final Prompt:

Coming of age? Death enter your life? Experience a first love? Broken down by love? At your mid-life? How does a man act? What’s a woman to do? Oh, brother! Oh, sister! Mi familia! Ma famille! – These questions inhabit common themes dealt with in the stories we write and the stories we read. Whether one speaks English, French or Spanish, or Gaelic or Swahili; whether living B.C. or A.D. – our humanity drives us to explore these human themes again and again…

Choose two stories we’ve read this quarter that deal with a familiar theme. Compare and contrast how the individual author of each story deals with the theme through language and subject matter.

In addressing the language of each piece tone, syntax, choice of images, and word choice are some of the options you may analyze. In addressing subject matter tone, plot, characters and setting are some of the things worth discussing.

Also, in discussing these texts, you are allowed to articulate your idea by connecting ideas to larger world; by putting the piece in context with other texts that deal with same themes (which includes putting one text into context by how it relates to comparison text).

Please be advised: spend your time developing your thesis statement throughout paper rather than trying to address too many points. An effective argument has direction and addresses the thesis from various angles. Quality of argument is weighed more than quantity of ideas. Make sure to connect and explain how all of your smaller points relate back to thesis statement.

Reading for Wed., 6/3:

I would like to skip(!) over Thomas Mann and have us read both Frank O'Connor and James Thurber for Wednesday's class. This was not mentioned in class, so I will do my best to remind students throughout the rest of today, and by e-mail.

Sincerely, Chris : )