English assignment

Compose an essay response to ONE of the prompts below.

Your response should have an appropriate and interesting introduction with a strong thesis regarding what you are trying to prove in the essay; body paragraphs, each with a clear main point that relates to and helps support your thesis; and a conclusion that effectively and powerfully wraps up the essay.

You should draw upon sources in writing your response. These include the articles, essays, stories, books, and poems we have read for class and any additional research that you may conduct. Provide in-text citations and a Works Cited page in MLA format.

1. Element of Fiction Approach : Choose ONE element of fiction to analyze and interpret throughout at least 3 of the course texts we have read so far. In so doing, you will make an argument that this element is key in interpreting these texts. In a cohesive, thoughtful essay, show how your element plays a significant role in the overall interpretation of your texts. You should quote from (and directly cite) at least three of the fiction texts we have read so far AND the reading from the Norton Introduction to Literature that is about your selected element.

2. Literary Theory Approach: Choose ONE literary theory to apply to at least 3 of the course texts we have read so far. In so doing, you will make an argument that applying this literary theory is key in interpreting these texts. In a cohesive, thoughtful essay, show how your theory plays a significant role in the overall interpretation of your texts. You should quote from (and directly cite) at least three of the fiction texts we have read so far AND the reading from the Norton Introduction to Literature that is about your selected theory.

3. Empathy Approach: This approach requires that you explore the connection between empathy and literature. You should make an argument about what the essence of this connection is. In a cohesive, thoughtful essay, provide a claim about what this connection is and means. In so doing, you should quote from (and directly cite) at least three of the fiction texts we have read so far AND one of the articles we read during the first week of class regarding the connection between empathy and literature.

You may use outside research for this essay. However, make sure your voice and ideas are the clear focus. DO NOT plagiarize. Any plagiarism—from one sentence to the whole essay, intentional or unintentional—will result in a “0” and an “F” for the course.

Use your journals to help you with this essay—draw upon your previous ideas and writing here if it is helpful.

Page length: 5 full pages minimum Pts. Possible: 150 pts.

Clarity [10]	Does the essay use proper and varied sentence structure, punctuation, etc.? Does it avoid grammatical errors: fragments, run-ons, spelling mistakes, etc.?
	Did the essay meet the assignment criteria in purpose and appearance? Correct MLA formatting? Proper citations?
Coherence/ Structure [10]	Does the essay have a strong, clear, well-structured thesis?
	Does the essay employ tight, polished paragraphs in the correct format or are ideas just thrown together? Does each body paragraph include one main idea/topic sentence that points the reader back to the thesis?
	Does the essay contain a strong backbone/ structure? Does it use the intro. well? The conclusion? Does every IP present a unified argument? (Does it “flow” well?) Are there effective transitions?
Critical Thinking [30]	How advanced is the essay’s content? Does it explore new ideas that challenge both the writer and reader or simply regurgitate class discussions or popular thought? Does it meet the page length?
	Does the paper make a logical connection between the thesis, topic sentences, and examples/proof? (i.e., Does it “connect-the-dots” between claims made in the thesis and examples for that claim?)
	Does the paper provide adequate “proof”? (Quotations or paraphrase, research, expert opinions, statistics, examples, details, etc?)
Comments: Total Pts.	/50
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