1. The essay will need to be at least 1,500 words and include at least 3 outside sources.
2. Read “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin (1894) then write a literary analysis essay. You can argue almost anything you want based on the Elements of Fiction. For example, you can argue how the symbols that contribute to the theme.
Very Important Note: Sometimes students misunderstand and believe they can write their essay on a theme within the story as it relates to modern-day America; for example, an essay about abortion since “Hills Like White Elephants” is about this topic. This is NOT what the essay is. You are only analyzing the story itself. Therefore, if you are going to discuss a theme, it must be discussed within the context of the story only. If the draft is about a modern-day topic and not within the context of the story, then, unfortunately, I have to send it back to you and ask you to rewrite it. If you are unsure about the perspective you want to write on, please email me and run it by me first.
3. Your thesis should be your paper’s central argument. It needs to go at the end of your introduction. It should NOT use first person.
4. For source support you need to use the text itself, plus at least 3 outside sources:
The short story itself
At least one outside source should be from a journal article. We used the databases in this unit.
The other sources should be a book, journal article, or website written by professionals, literary critics, such as a professor; no Sparknotes, etc… There are many wonderful articles on Google ScholarLinks
**Please note, if you choose a more modern-day story, such as something by one of the BIPOC authors, it may be harder to find a journal article. You’ll need to work with your instructor and librarian to find something that works.
5. Each body paragraph should have support from the text you are discussing and/or the outside source along with CITATIONS IN MLA FORMAT. You also will need a WORKS CITED IN MLA FORMAT at the end of the paper.
