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1000-2000 words: double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font

Due to Canvas by 11:59 pm Monday, March 26

It could be argued that the one subject all short stories have in common is change. Without change there is no story – nothing to write about. However, how the authors use change within their texts widely varies. Is the change for good or bad? Does it inspire or paralyze? What point in the process of change is the author interested in (catalyst, climax, aftermath)?   Your assignment is to consider the subject of change in the texts you’ve read and develop an argumentative analysis.

You must pick at least three of the six short stories you’ve read (“Hills Like White Elephants,” “Yours,” “26 Monkeys, Also the Abyss,” “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “A Temporary Matter”) to write about. How you use the texts is up to you. You can choose to look at what they have in common and compare them, or look at how differently the authors approach this subject matter and contrast them.

The most important factor of this assignment is that you must have an argumentative thesis. DO NOT just list the examples of change as they appear. DO NOT retell the stories. You need to have a point that is unique to your understanding of the fictional texts and the messages the authors are communicating.

Bad Thesis: The short stories “Hills Like White Elephants,” “Yours,” and “A Temporary Matter” all feature couples whose relationships are changing. (This thesis is factual. Anyone who has read the stories knows this information. There isn’t any analytical commentary).

Better Thesis: The short stories “Hills Like White Elephants,” “Yours,” and “A Temporary Matter” all demonstrate that change in romantic relationships must always be initiated by women. (This thesis makes a claim that is argumentative and unique. The reader does not automatically know how the author will prove her claim, and therefore, there is room for the introduction of supporting evidence and analysis.)

The only way to write this essay effectively is to work closely with the texts, using quotes and literary analysis to support your argument.  Your essay must make specific references to all of the texts either through summary, paraphrase, or direct quoting.  However, this essay should not be an extended list of examples from the texts.  You need to explain what your point is and how the examples support it. You must include at least one quote from each story you discuss, but please make sure the quotes you use are effective and help to further your interpretation. Please keep in mind that your reader has also read the texts, so you do not need to explain in great detail who the characters are or why the events unfold as they do. You may NOT use any outside sources for this essay. This is a close reading assignment based entirely on your interaction with the primary texts.

How you choose to organize this essay is up to you. You can write about one story at a time, or look at several together in each paragraph. Experiment to see what is easier to write and organize.

Proper MLA format citations must be used for all quotes and you must include a Works Cited page.

Note: Please remember that the revision policy has rules.  You may not revise an essay if your essay is submitted late or if you don't meet the assignment requirements.

English 102 Essay #1 Grading Rubric

Criteria                                                               Percentage of Total Grade

Introduction                                                              15%

The first paragraph must include a thesis statement that makes a specific, arguable claim about the subject of change in three or more short stories and forecasts the structure of the essay. It should demonstrate critical thinking about the subject, and not just identify its existence.

Organization                                                            10%

There must be a clear development of the argument from one paragraph to the next, following the structure outlined in the introduction. Each paragraph should focus on one main point identified in its topic sentence. Special attention should be paid to transitions between paragraphs.

MLA Format                                                              10%

Material from the stories should be woven together as seamlessly as possible using MLA format to identify all references.

Critical Thinking                                                     25%

The essay shows good evidence of critical thinking meaning that it makes a persuasive and interesting argument regarding the topic.

Source Usage                                                             15%

The essay should demonstrate a familiarity with the stories through the use of quotes, paraphrase, and summary to support the essay's thesis. Each story should be quoted at least once.

Mechanics                                                                           15%

The essay should demonstrate careful attention to proofreading and be free of problems with punctuation, spelling, and syntax.

Works Cited                                                              10%

The essay includes a works cited page that uses correct MLA bibliographic citations.