For your final exam, you will submit a comparative analysis essay, putting Submission into conversation with another one of our readings. This essay should be 1500 words (approximately 6 pages double-spaced, following the Format Guidelines here).
An analysis essay is one in which you identify a question you would like to answer, provide that answer along with evidence from two course texts (your choice but one text should be one of the short stories) and then provide an analysis of (i.e. explain) how the evidence from the text supports your answer. This essay should include ample evidence in the form of short quotes and references to events or themes in the text. Long quotes should be summarized rather than pasted in full.
This essay is an opportunity for you to identify a thread from our in-class discussions that interests you or that you would like to explore further. This essay should take one of those topics and develop it into a fully-fleshed out argument. To get started, look over your reading and class notes. What questions did you want to discuss further? What stumped you that you’d like to explore or figure out? What idea have we discussed that you feel like you can add to or expound upon? This paper should not include references to your personal experiences in Paris.
**Note that at least one short story must be used in this paper out of the following.**
“There is No Exile”
“The Confession”
“The Good Denis”
“Family Portrait”
Below are some ideas to get you started. Each idea is based on the discussions we have had in class, so you should have materials prepared, making it relatively easy to launch an essay about one of these topics.
How do the texts “The Confession” and “There is No Exile” tackle the concept of gender?
You are welcome to re-use concepts that you have already submitted for one of the other response papers, but note that this strategy works best when writers are willing to revise and further develop their previously submitted work. If you plan to re-use a stream of thought from a response paper, note that you must heavily revise the language for your essay – posts taken directly from a previous submission without revision or formalization will result in the loss of points.
This essay should strive to answer a question and use two texts heavily in order to provide the answer. I expect that you will quote from the text. You should provide examples throughout your essay that illuminate your answer.
You should not require the use of outside sources. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the texts!
Guidelines for revision of the essay prior to submitting it:
Does your paper have a title? (It should!)
Does your paper have a thesis statement? Does it clearly explain to the reader what you plan to explore in the essay?
Do all of the body paragraphs relate to the thesis statement?
Is each paragraph organized around a single main idea?
Are your paragraph claims overly general, or are they specific?
Do you support your arguments with sound reasoning and substantial evidence? Does your evidence include substantial reference to the primary text?
Is your reasoning complex, or do you cover overly familiar or too-basic territory?
Is the paper mechanically sound? Are your sentences both clear and stylish?
Is punctuation used correctly throughout?
Did you cite your sources using MLA style in your Works Cited page?
Did you share your work with a peer or visit the Writing Lab to consult with someone about your work?
Paper Length: 1500 words
