FOR KIM WOODS ONLY

Topic:             This is a thesis-driven research paper, focusing on analyzing the work of Alice Walker by understanding the events of her life—her biography. Discussing both the short story “Everyday Use” and the movie The Color Purple, you will use research to argue the thesis that Alice Walker’s work draws upon events from her own life. You will research her life, then locate specific examples in both the story and the movie where incidents in the plot seem to parallel things that actually happened to Walker.

Audience: This paper is intended for an academic audience, so the tone should be relatively formal. Avoid the first person.

Purpose:                                  To analyze a literary text and include scholarly research to further explore the text.

Source Requirements:            A minimum of  five  academic sources are to be used for this paper.  Three need to come from PGCC databases and / or PGCC library resources (print or electronic). 

Length Requirement: Six-page minimum; nine-page maximum. (The Works Cited page does  not  count towards page count.)

Format: Use Times Roman 12, double-spaced, with indented paragraphs.

Documentation style:                         MLA documentation is to be used for this assignment. The paper must contain both in-text citations and a Works Cited page.

Learning Outcomes: The course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

1. Write analytical essays about literary texts by:

1. Formulating a restricted, unified and precise thesis statement;

2. Organizing essay content into introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs;

3. Composing restricted, unified, and precise topic sentences for paragraphs;

4. Writing unified and coherent paragraphs that are well-developed with supporting materials drawn from the literary texts;

5. Applying grammar and usage rules correctly;

6. Choosing appropriate diction;

7. Constructing clear, precise sentences.

2. Demonstrate comprehension of basic literary terms in the genres of poetry, fiction, and drama (for example, theme, imagery, rhythm, figurative language, tone, character, plot, etc.)

3. Write research-based essays using secondary sources to:

3. Demonstrate their understanding of avoiding plagiarism;

3. Synthesize multiple sources into an essay to support its thesis;

3. Integrate sources using quotations, summary and paraphrase

3. Document sources according to MLA format