Paper #3 (3 pages + 1 source)

Assignment Sheet

DUE: April 26

PROMPT

Using one of the prompts below, write an original three-page paper that analyzes, or gives insight into, a text(s) from the second course unit, “Modernism.” Your paper must reference at least one secondary source.

Note most of the prompts below require an analytical essay format. However, there is also a creative-analysis hybrid option, where you may choose to meet the three-page minimum requirement by writing a creative text accompanied by a self-analysis. You may only write one creative paper per semester.

1. Analytical Prompt: Using two texts, describe what you believe are common characteristics of Modernism. For this argument, you may analyze how Modernism has evolved over a period of time OR you may provide a universal definition of Modernism that seems applicable across different authors and decades.
2. Analytical Prompt: Literary texts (poems, novels, essays, etc.) are frequently used to give insight to the social, political, and historical conditions of the past. Select one text that you feel gives insight to its contemporary period. Then explain what the insight is and how the text successfully conveys it. Be sure to focus on an analysis of the text (not an analysis of history).
3. Analytical Prompt: Literary texts (poems, novels, essays, etc.) help to shape the way people construct and perceive identities. Select one text and analyze how it represents a specific identity (e.g. the identity of men, women, lower classes, minority ethnic groups, etc.). What characteristics distinguish this identity and does the text ‘harm’ (denigrate or stereotype) or ‘help’ (promote understanding and sensitivity of) the identity?
4. Analytical Prompt: Identify a secondary source that analyzes one of our course texts. Then, using your own reading of the course text, respond to the secondary source (agree, disagree, or both agree and disagree with further proof from the course text).
5. Creative Prompt: Select an author or character that intrigues you. Then, pretend you are that author or character and respond to the question, “What is Modernism and why is it important?”. As you write, consider the writing style of the author/character as well as his/her vices, virtues, and/or motivations. Your response should demonstrate knowledge of the author/character as well as knowledge of a definition for “Modernism.” Therefore, the analytical portion (at least one page) of your response should explain why you wrote what you did (it should explain what parts of the primary text inspired your creative text and how you feel your creative text successfully imagines the author/character’s response to the question).
6. Miscellaneous Prompt: You may create your own prompt. To do this, you must propose your idea to me at least one week in advance of the target deadline.

To complete this assignment, you will need to reference at least one appropriate secondary source.

• Appropriate secondary sources typically include but are not limited to recent print and online sources found through the library catalogue, library databases, and Google Scholar. Examples of sources include but are not limited to recent scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles. Inappropriate sources include but are not limited to common knowledge sources (such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias), amateur sources (such as freelance blogs and websites), and commercial or for-profit sources (such as tabloids and “.com” websites).

Your audience includes your classmates and instructor. This means you are writing for readers of varying disciplines and stages in their educational and professional careers. Altogether, you must consider them unfamiliar but academic readers. Therefore, do not assume they know everything you know about a particular subject and do not assume they will automatically favor your approach or be interested. Instead, you will need to convince your audience to care and to agree—provide background information, a clear thesis, evidence, and explanations. Also, use formal language, and avoid distracting grammar and spelling errors.

OBJECTIVE

This assignment exercises students’ critical thinking and effective writing skills.

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA

I will evaluate papers based on content, organization, and language use. A rubric for written assignments is available on Blackboard. Below are some guidelines for writing analytical essays and the analytical portions of creative essays.

A successful analytical essay should:

Beginning: Announce the argument and orient the reader in one paragraph

• Clearly identify the topic or question you have chosen to address
• Place your argument in context (provide a brief summary or literary, historical, cultural, or critical background for the text in question)
• Provide a thesis statement that clearly articulates your analysis and how you will develop your argument

Middle: Present, support, explain, and clarify each point of your analysis in separate body paragraphs

• Each paragraph should: present one idea; clearly announce the idea in a topic sentence; convincingly support the idea with relevant and specific textual/contextual examples; clearly explain the critical thinking and logic that connect your examples to your claim; and by the end of the paragraph, reiterate and clarify the argument of the paragraph

End: In one paragraph, draw a conclusion that does more than just repeat your thesis. Instead, connect your claim with a larger issue. For instance, reveal how the text(s) may be important to you beyond this class or to people other than yourself.

Mechanics:

• Use logical and clear transitions at the sentence, paragraph, and section levels
• Correctly cite sources in-text using MLA style
• Demonstrate control of grammar and mechanics issues
• Avoid plagiarism
• Include a Works Cited Page written in MLA style

Note: For additional resources on writing, analyzing, and citation see “Helpful Resources” on Blackboard.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE TURNED IN:

• 3-page Paper
• Works Cited (citing the primary and secondary sources)

PAPER FORMAT:

Paper assignments must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font with one-inch margins (on the sides, top, and bottom), and in MLA style. The paper must meet the page length requirement, which, in this case, is three pages. Page length requirements are set to give you an idea of how detailed and extensive your papers should be at a minimum to construct a strong paper and therefore should be met. I do not appreciate clever attempts to lengthen papers (this includes varying font sizes and styles; extra spaces between paragraphs; extra spaces separating the title from the text; enlarged margins; and so forth).

MLA Format: A cover page will not be necessary. However, I do expect a heading in the top left of the first page that gives your name, my name, the course number, and the date. MLA style also calls for a header in the top right corner of each page (except for the first) that gives your last name and the page number. (This assignment sheet has such a header.) All citations and documentation, including the Works Cited, should also be in MLA style. Refer to the Purdue Online Writing Lab site (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/) for MLA style guidelines. If you have troubles formatting your paper, please feel free contact me.

Titles: Please try to experiment with intriguing yet informative titles. Do not simply title your paper, “Compare and Contrast” or “Defining Modernism.” Your title should strive to grab the attention of your reader while hinting at the text’s focus. Ex: “Impotency: The Modern Garden.”)

PAPER SUBMISSION

This assignment is due April 26, 11:59pm (in .doc, .docx, or .pdf), and may be submitted via the “Paper #3” SafeAssign link in the “Paper #3” folder (under “Major Assignments”). SafeAssign allows you to see whether you need to make improvements based on citation and documentation. Through this tool, you are allowed to submit a draft before submitting a final copy for me to grade. If you have any questions, please ask me! If you need help with the assignment I encourage you to again contact me (afarrar@nova.edu).