500 word essay and self review

Close Reading and Contextual Analysis 2

Introduction

[note: please note this paper is basically the same as the Close Reading and Contextual Analysis 1 assignment, with two changes. One change is in the requirements and the other is in the submissions section. See below!]

Close reading. Close reading is a deep analysis of a literary text, with special attention to how it works and what it means. In order to conduct a close reading, you look at textual components, such as: subject, form, and word choices. Subject is the topic, or what the text is “about.” Formconstitutes the text’s generic conventions. For example, The Iliad is an epic poem, and the particular generic conventions of Greek epic poetry are that it’s written in dactylic hexameter, uses extended similes, features a heroic main character, and engages with Greek mythology. Word choice means the type of language the writer or speaker uses, like: metaphor, imagery, alliteration, or repetition. For example, you might investigate how epic similes work in The Iliad.

More information on poetic forms* here:  https://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/glossary (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

More information on literary devices here:  https://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/elarts/reading/resources/readingglossary.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Contextual Analysis. Contextual analysis assesses a text’s historical and cultural contexts by looking at its social, political, economic, philosophical, religious, and/or aesthetic circumstances. For example, one circumstance of Sunjata is the multicultural mingling of traditional and and Islamic religions. A contextual analysis might therefore research traditional and Islamic religions in Western Africa and apply that information to a reading of Sunjata.

* All of the assigned readings in Module 1 are different types of epic poetry!  

Length

· 500-word essay (or two-pages, double-spaced), with a works cited page. Please note: the works cited page does not count towards the word count

Requirements

For this writing assignment, you will conduct a close-reading of one primary text from Modules 2 or 3. Options include: Oedipus Rex, The Analects, Confessions, The Prince, The Thousand and One Nights, "The Story of Yingying," Tale of Genji, or Don Quixote. In addition, you will continue your investigation of the same context from the first Close Reading and Contextual Analysis assignment.  For example, if you conducted a close reading of the Sunjata, and contextualized it against traditional religion, then you will continue investigating traditional religion in the second Close Reading and Contextual Analysis assignment. 

Note: If you're experiencing writer's block on this assignment, shoot me a message via Canvas or e-mail! I'm happy to help you brainstorm.

Additional requirements include:

· A completed   Self-Review Worksheet  (click to download)

· One revised draft, with a minimum of one popular resource and one scholarly resource. Your textbook does not count.

· Information on popular and scholarly resources:  http://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/c.php?g=83917&p=3747680 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

· Note: you should check the library resources link in our Canvas site!

Format

· MLA-style formatting. Please reference the Purdue OWL’s MLA-Style guide, located at:  https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Submission

· Completed Self-Review Worksheet AND revised draft via the Close Reading / Context 1 assignment link in Canvas