William Faulkner Paper

Essay Instructions

Goal:  analysis of a collection of works to include research about the author in at least 7-8 pages.

·  “Barn Burning” by William Faulkner

·  “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner

· You will make eight connections, which will translate into eight body paragraphs (see “tentative outline” handout).  To support your major points, you will provide evidence.  Thus, you must directly quote from each selection your evidence; each of your eight body paragraphs will include at least one direct quote from your  evidence  (story )  AND   at least one direct quote from your  outside source .  So that you will have a total of sixteen direct quotes, two for each of your eight body paragraphs.  A minimum of  two outside sources  are required for this essay.  You must use at least two sources from the library’s database (NY TIMES is acceptable).  Remember that the story(ies) are its own source and will need to be included in your WORKS CITED page. Follow MLA.

 Your introduction will include the title and author of your selected work and any necessary background information about the author. Engage the reader; take a stand, or make a judgment.  Your THESIS STATEMENT will be phrased as an arguable claim.  This means that you WILL NOT write a thesis statement that outlines your four major points.  For instance, if your eight major points reveal something about race, class, gender, society, family, relationships, love, violence – all the broad universal themes of being human, then state that, claim that, own that!  WOW!  You’ve got some thesis statement to craft, and it may not happen until after you hammer out your eight points of connections. 

 Each of your six body paragraphs will include a first sentence that is your major point – your topic sentence. Each body paragraph will include at least two direct quotes.  Follow MLA.

 Your conclusion will be a grand statement.  What is YOUR point of view concerning this writer?  What can YOU say about how writing served this writer’s life?  BE BOLD!  BE CONFIDENT.  MAKE YOUR CLAIM & DARE US TO DISAGREE WITH YOU!

Essay Checklist

 Essay should be 10 paragraphs (intro, 8 connection paragraphs, and conclusion)

 Each connection paragraph should start by clearly stating the connection. For example: William Falkner’s southern roots clearly influenced his literature.

 Each paragraph should have at minimum TWO direct quotes. One quote should be from an outside (academic/library) source and the other is from the literature. An example of an outside source quote would be William Faulkner “was born in Oxford, Mississippi” (Author #). An example of a quote from the literature would be Miss Emily was from Mississippi as well as reflected when Faulkner writes "See Colonel Sartoris. I have no taxes in Jefferson" (Faulkner #).

 Your thesis statement should go at the end of the intro paragraph and reflect not only the 6 connections you are making but also the bigger theme. For example, Flannery O’Connors life influenced her work in these ways (your connections) to show __________________________ (the point of her literature).

 Every connection paragraph should start by clearly establishing the connection. For example, if your first point of connection between Langston Hughes’ life and his literature is religion, your first line would look like this: Langston Hughes’ views on religion greatly influenced his literature.

 Every connection paragraph should also end with a transition sentence. For example, you would write: Not only did religion influenced Hughes’ work, his family dynamics did as well.

 Remember each quote is worth 2.5 points! That means your quotes are worth40 points in this paper. If you do not include them the best you can do on this paper is 60%

 Your outside research is the biographic information about your author. The literature research is from the stories in the textbook

 Don’t forget to use MLA format.

 Title your essay

 Start your intro with an attention grabber!

William Faulkner Workshop

Connections between his life and his literature

Southern Upbringing Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Racism Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Dialect Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Mammy Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Change in financial status Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Military Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Family Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Love Life Rose for Emily

Blockage of Wants Barn Burning and Rose for Emily

Travel Barn Burning