500 word essay

Introduction

Close reading. A close reading is a deep analysis of a literary text, with special attention to how it works and what it means. In order to conduct a close reading, you look at textual components, such as: subject, form, and word choices. Subject is the topic, or what the text is “about.” Form constitutes the text’s generic conventions. For example, The Iliad is an epic poem, and the particular generic conventions of Greek epic poetry are that it’s written in dactylic hexameter, uses extended similes, features a heroic main character, and engages with Greek mythology. Word choice means the type of language the writer or speaker uses, like: metaphor, imagery, alliteration, or repetition. For example, you might investigate how epic similes work in The Iliad.

More information on poetic forms* here:  https://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/glossary (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

More information on literary devices here:  https://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/elarts/reading/resources/readingglossary.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Contextual Analysis. A contextual analysis assesses a text’s historical and cultural contexts by looking at its social, political, economic, philosophical, religious, and/or aesthetic circumstances. For example, one circumstance of Sunjata is the multicultural mingling of traditional and and Islamic religions. A contextual analysis might therefore research traditional and Islamic religions in Western Africa and apply that information to a reading of Sunjata.

* All of the assigned readings in Module 1 are different types of epic poetry!  

Length

· 500-word essay (or two-pages, double-spaced), with a works cited page. Please note: the works cited page does not count towards the word count

Requirements

For this writing assignment, you will conduct a close-reading of one primary text from Module 1. Options include: The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, The Ramayana, or Sunjata. In addition, you will select one aspect of its context to help you conduct the close reading. For example, if you select the Sunjata, you may wish to investigate traditional and Islamic religions (context) to help you analyze the role of magic in the story (close reading, especially subject and form). Note: I recommend you review your class notes, and pick the primary text/topic that interested you most.

Additional requirements include:

· One revised draft, with a minimum of one popular resource and one scholarly resource. Your textbook does not count.

· Information on popular and scholarly resources:  http://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/c.php?g=83917&p=3747680 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· Note: you should check the library resources link in our Canvas site!

Format

· MLA-style formatting. Please reference the Purdue OWL’s MLA-Style guide, located at:  https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.