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You will choose a minimum of one or two readings from this course to generate a literary argument. You will present your interpretation of the reading(s) and defend that interpretation with textual evidence from the class readings and outside sources.

The final paper will require:

 

· 4-5 pages (this means 4 full pages of writing, NOT including the Works Cited page) in MLA format 

· Discussion of two (2) texts 

. Your paper topic should include two (2) different readings 

. These texts can consist of any combination of the poems, short stories, novels, and essays we have read in this class 

. If you want to write about only one (1) text, send me an e-mail and we will discuss this option 

· Specific references (direct quotations, paraphrases, or summaries) from the texts you choose to write about 

. Aim for 1-2 specific references per body paragraph. Just like in the one-page responses, you need to have textual evidence to strengthen your argument 

· You may remember from earlier in the semester (and from the original assignment sheet) that you were required to use two (2) sources from the databases. That requirement has been deleted--you do not need to use the databases. If you would like to, you are more than welcome to, but again, you do not need to do so. 

. If you utilize a source from the Madonna library, you must remember to cite it properly. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. 

. Non-scholarly or non-reliable sources, such as SparkNotes, do not count as sources and should not be used. 

 

The majority of the paper should discuss your interpretations. If you choose to use sources from the Madonna databases, the sources will support or add to your analysis. Your sources should support what you are saying in your paper but not be the focus. You should cite these sources with in-text citation in the body of your essay. You can use direct quotations, paraphrases, or summaries as textual evidence.

 

Make sure to correctly cite your sources. If an idea did not come from your own mind, even if you put it in your own words, you need to provide an in-text citation. If you take anything word-for-word from a source, make sure to have it in quotation marks with an in-text citation. Papers with plagiarized material will earn zero points.

 

Finally, your essay should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion with some sort of thesis/purpose provided in the introduction. All of your body paragraphs should support the ideas of your thesis/purpose.

The following are your topic options.

 

1. Identify a woman-focused theme you have observed across the texts we have read this semester. Show how two of the readings deliver this common theme. You might also consider the significance of the theme, as well as what it tells us about women and their place in society. 

 

1. Select two texts and examine what they say about the social, cultural, political, historical, and/or economic forces that influenced the status of women in society. Discuss how those forces affected women’s lives and how the readings show that influence. 

 

1. Apply feminist literary theory to two of the texts we have read this semester. The PowerPoint from Week 1 provides some basic ideas about feminist theory you can apply to our readings, but your research sources may provide you with other concepts. 

 

1. Consider the female characters in two texts. You might write about how these characters portray the experience of women and the struggles women have experienced. You might also think about how these female characters defy some of the stereotypes and expectations associated with women. 

 

1. Present an original argument to me. Think about something that really stood out to you or stuck with you after reading these texts. Maybe one or two of the texts really resonated with you. You might even think about something that challenged your viewpoints or offended/upset you. Those can all be good starting points for essays. If you have an idea, or even the beginnings of an idea, talk to me about it. 

 

Unlike the one-page responses, this paper will be more formal. You do not want to use “I” in this paper. Instead of saying, “I believe/in my opinion/I think that,” just say the point you want to make without the first-person pronouns.

 

Avoid summary in this paper. I know writing teachers often tell you to assume your audience is uninformed, but I have read all of these works, so I do not need a reminder of the plot.

 

If you have any problems or challenges with this paper, let me know. I am more than happy to help. The Writing Center is also a helpful resource at all stages of the writing process and provides online tutoring.

 

8th edition example for an article in an online scholarly journal:

 

DePriest, Maria. “Once Upon a Time, Today:  Hearing Fleur’s Voice in Tracks.” JNT: Journal of Narrative Theory, vol. 38, no. 2, 2008, pp. 249-68, https://muse.jhu.edu/article/253583. Accessed 10 Nov. 2014.