Literature interpretation

Introduction to the Literary Interpretation Paper Project

Background

As part of this course and your Writing Credit, you are expected to engage in the

analysis of a key theme or issue within an approved literary text. To help you, we will

engage in a multi-step process that includes 4 major steps.

Each of these steps is customized so that you can engage in learning activities that

are relevant to your academic pathway or potential career. The steps are

explained in detail in the documents below:

4 Steps: Pathway-themed Literary Interpretation Project:

Step 1: Identify a Theme in the Literary Texts that Relates to a theme or issue in your

pathway/career field.

Discussion Topic #9

Within the discussion board, write a paragraph in which you identify a key

theme/issue within one literary text in this course that can be related to a

key issue within your pathway or potential career field. In your discussion

board post, briefly summarize the contents of the literary text, clarify the key

theme/issue you see as significant, and clarify how this theme/issue is relevant

to your pathway or potential career field.

1. In AHCD-related fields, some potential themes include individuality,

spirituality, nature, freedom, culture, categories of identity (such as

race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, LGBTQIA, etc.). Ex: “New

Boy” by Irish writer Roddy Doyle.

2. In business-related fields, some potential themes include examination of

economic forces and their impacts on individuals, how individuals

make choices, what role ethics plays in the marketplace and society,

etc. Ex: “The Married Couple” by Franz Kafka - p. 500 in collected

works.

3. In education-related fields, some potential themes include examination

of how inequalities impact education, analysis of categories of

identity (such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, etc) and their

impact on teaching and learning, considerations of diversity in the

classroom and curriculum, etc. Ex: “The Lesson,” by Toni C. Bambara

4. In healthcare-related fields, some potential themes include considerations

of mortality and impact on human behavior and relationships, healthcare

and considerations of ethics and morality, the role of religion in individual

choices, cross-cultural communications, categories of identity (such as

race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, etc) and their impact on social

identity and interactions in healthcare settings, addiction, autonomy and

choice, etc. “The Use of Force” by William Carlos Williams

5. In IMCT-related fields, some potential themes include ethical

considerations in the workplace, decision-making, problem-solving,

interpersonal communications within colleagues and the public,

examination of why bad choices are made, consideration of risk, analysis

of how chain reactions occur, analysis of power structures and their

impact on individuals.

6. In public safety-related fields, some potential themes include ethical

considerations in public safety, recognizing and understanding human

motivations, problem-solving and decision making, the role of empathy in

human interactions, the effects of trauma, how personal environment

impacts individuals, cross-cultural communications, consideration of how

sociological factors impact individuals and influence public interactions.

”Alabanza: In Praise of Local 100” by Martine Espada

7. In SBSHS-related fields, some potential themes include individual and civil

rights, power dynamics and inequality, discrimination, racism, sexism,

homophobia, categories of identity (such as race, ethnicity, gender,

sexuality, religion, etc) and their impact on social hierarchies, etc.

8. In STEM-related fields, some potential themes include how individuals

impact their environment, approaches to solving problems, how key social

issues impact online platforms (including social media and gaming

platforms), how technologies mediate and impact human relationships,

how consideration of health and mortality impacts choices and human

relationships. Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen

These are just a few possible areas for consideration; you are not limited to only

the above possibilities. Find a theme or issue within a literary text that you see as

present in society and thus relevant within your potential career field or academic

pathway.

NOTE: Reply to one classmate’s post with a suggestion of either ANOTHER

literary text within the course where this theme/issue can be seen OR further

discuss how the theme/issue they’ve identified can be seen in the initial literary

text they have identified.

Step 2: Create an Annotated Bibliography on the Literary Text & Theme selected. Use

the citation format (MLA) appropriate to your specific pathway/career field.

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

1. Using the library databases, locate 4 research sources relating to the

theme/issue you selected in Activity #1 within our course. At least one of these

sources should directly discuss this key issue within your pathway or potential

career field.

2. Upon locating 4 research sources to utilize within your paper, you must

create an annotated bibliography. These consist of two elements:

1. For your sources, first determine the proper citation format (MLA) for your

pathway or potential career. Create proper Reference/Works Cited entries

for your 4 research sources. No BOOKS. NO COMMERCIAL NOTES!

Use database articles, literary analyses, or otherwise, academically-

recognized sources.

2. Underneath each Reference/Works Cited entry, write a short paragraph in

which you summarize the key ideas presented within this source.

For more on how to create an annotated bibliography, please review this linked

tutorial on annotated bibliographies.

Step 3: Create a Draft Thesis Statement for your paper. Submit it within Discussion

Topic #11 and provide constructive feedback to at least one classmate.

DISCUSSION #11

Drafting a Thesis Statement

o Post to Discussion Topic #11: As part of developing your Literary

Interpretation Paper, develop a draft thesis statement to organize your

analysis. After reading the lessons in CONTENT on the development of a

quality thesis statement, submit your DRAFT THESIS to the Virtual

Writing Center (VWC) for feedback/review. Upon receiving feedback,

continue to revise your draft thesis statement as needed.

▪ Edit accordingly and share your draft thesis statement in the

discussion board (#11).

▪ This draft thesis statement must demonstrate the key facets of

a proper thesis as indicated within our course lesson.

▪ Your draft thesis statement must also be written such that you

demonstrate proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and

proofreading.

▪ Reply to one classmate with constructive feedback on their draft

thesis statements.

Step 4: Write the Literary Interpretation Paper in which you analyze the ideas being

conveyed regarding a theme in one of our literary texts that is relevant in your

pathway/career field (racial or gender bias/discrimination, social justice, poverty, etc.

Literary Interpretation Paper (Completed DRAFT) – SUBMITTED to

Virtual Writing Center (VWC)

• Write a paper in which you analyze the ideas presented about a key theme or issue within at least one of the literary texts in this course and relate it to a key issue within your pathway or potential career.

o You should incorporate a finalized version of your thesis statement as part of the introductory portion of the paper.

o For this assignment, you must incorporate at least 4 research sources beyond the literary text itself. These may be sources from your annotated bibliography &/or other quality research sources you've discovered that help in developing this analysis.

o Your research sources must be cited in either MLA format or APA format, depending on the format appropriate for your pathway or potential career field. It is essential that these reference sources be cited via both internal citations (inside the essay itself) and via the Works Cited or References page at the end of the paper.

o The paper must be double-spaced, 1-inch margins, using a font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 10, and consist of 1000 words (4-4 ½ pgs.) in length. This is approximately 4 complete pages of writing, with an additional page needed for the Works Cited or References Page.

o This paper must demonstrate proper essay structure and appropriate attention to detail with proper grammar, no misspellings, correct punctuation, precise word choice, and evidence of editing/proofreading.

FINAL LIT INTERPRETATION PAPER, edited based on

VWC Feedback/Review DUE in Assignments