essay

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ENG 1213

Essay 1: Textual Analysis (15%)

Draft due to the online drop box Wednesday, September 4th by 8:00am

Also bring a physical or digital copy to class.

Final essay due: Friday, September 6th to the online drop-box by 8:00am

A textual analysis essay offers critical interpretations of a text (written, visual, and sonic

communication) by explaining its meaning through close examination and unique insight.

Instructions:

Develop a textual analysis essay that examines a single text or group of related texts (a literary

work, artistic or commercial image, song lyrics, television episode, or film) and offers your own

insight and interpretations. Your essay should present a clearly defined thesis that offers an

original interpretive claim about its subject.

Essays should:

 Clearly define and describe the texts  Develop the stated thesis  Offer detailed, compelling examples to support the thesis  Offer original insightful interpretations  Demonstrate critical thinking and knowledge of the text(s)  Essays should be at least 900 words

Note: For this essay you will only be using primary sources (the texts themselves). You may not

use any secondary sources (any outside source including summaries, descriptions, or reviews).

Format:

 All essays must be typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font

 Essays should be 900-1,200 words (approximately 3-4 pages)

 Final essays must be submitted to the online drop-box as word documents (.doc or .docx)

 File names must contain your full name (ex: Andrew Davis Essay One.doc).

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Grading Criteria:

 Development of the thesis statement

 Compelling interpretations that support the thesis

 Choice of text(s)

 Detailed description of the text(s)

 Effective use of examples and/or quotes

 Clarity of ideas

 Overall coherence and unity of your essay

 Sentence and paragraph structure

 Grammar: punctuation, mechanics, and spelling

Rubric:

An A essay

will present a clearly defined thesis statement, which is supported throughout the

essay by insightful interpretations. The introduction will contextualize the subject

and emphasize the writer’s analytical thesis. Body paragraphs will begin with

specific topic sentences that support one main point of the writer’s thesis. Textual

evidence will demonstrate the writer’s critical understanding of the text, which will

be fully explained. A conclusion will reestablish the writer’s thesis by stating the

significance of the essay’s analysis. There will be few to no grammatical errors or

typos.

A B essay

will present a thesis statement, which is supported throughout the essay by

interpretative claims. The introduction will establish the thesis. Body paragraphs will

contain one main idea supporting the thesis. Textual evidence will suggest the

writer’s analysis. The conclusion will reestablish the thesis, but may not suggest the

significance or relevance of the essay. Grammatical errors or typos will not hinder

the clarity of the writer’s essay.

A C essay will suggest the writer’s position on the subject, though the thesis may be

undeveloped or not established within the introduction. Descriptions or summaries of

text(s) may not be fully analyzed by the writer. Grammatical errors and typos hinder

the clarity of the writer’s essay.

A D or F essay will summarize the text without offering original analysis. The introduction, body,

and conclusion paragraphs may not be fully formed. Grammatical errors and typos

may hinder the clarity of the writer’s essay.

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Word Count: The minimum word count is 900 words.

899-860 words up to 4% will be deducted from the final grade

859-800 words 5% will be deducted from the final grade

799-750 words 10% will be deducted from the final grade

749-700 words 15% will be deducted from the final grade

699-650 words 20% will be deducted from the final grade

649-600 words 25% will be deducted from the final grade

599-550 words 30% will be deducted from the final grade

549-500 words 35% will be deducted from the final grade

449 words or less The essay will not be accepted.

Finish the essay and submit it with a late grade penalty -3%/day.