Brief Analysis: Short Stories
Start Assignment
Due Monday by 11:59pm Points 15 Submitting a file upload
Directions
Please select 1 (one) of the assigned short stories from the assigned readings from:
—Readings & Video Lectures: Southern Gothic
—Readings & Video Lectures: Magical Realism
Note: If you elect to write on the authors from the Diaspora, please select a different short story from last week.
Use research to define the controlling (main) idea along 1-2 theme so as to create a focus when interpreting the short story
Analyze 1-3 parts of the short story through the controlling (main) idea
The brief analysis should be 1 (one) page, approximately 2-3 paragraphs
Please follow the Guidelines for Writing about Literature
Use accurate documentation
Double-check that you are submitting the correct file to Canvas
Documentation
Reading And Video Lectures: APA 7th For Short Stories And Research
Readings & Video Lectures: MLA (9th) for Short Stories & Research
Basic Structure of the Brief Analysis
✓Use this structure as a checklist
Introduction: Quote research to define the controlling idea through 1-2 themes. Be meticulous with documentation.
Introduction: Connect the controlling idea to the author and short story
Thesis: Write a thesis statement that explains to what effect the controlling idea has in the short story. The thesis needs to be phrased as a theory (a claim or assertion with which not everyone agrees). Verbs matter. Try to include verbs such as explore, illuminate, invite, challenge, criticize, question, etc.
Supporting paragraph(s): Drop the theme from the definition of the controlling idea into the topic sentence of the supporting paragraph(s)
Supporting paragraph(s) Include a “quotation from the short story” that is an example of that theme (citation).
Supporting paragraph(s): “Unpack” or explain the quotation selected —why was this example selected? What is the situation, what is the implied meaning of the situation? What is revealed about the situation or character?
Reference page: Include a citation for the research + a citation for the short story
Research for the Controlling Idea (select the one that works with your author):
Southern Gothic Literature: Faulkner & O’Connor
Diaspora: Tan & Lahiri
Magical Realism: García Márquez & Amis
Example Brief Analysis
APA Style: Brief Analysis of Flannery O’Connor & Southern Gothic themes Download Brief Analysis of Flannery O’Connor & Southern Gothic themes , 7th edition
MLA Style: Brief Analysis of Flannery O’Connor & Southern Gothic themes, Download Brief Analysis of Flannery O’Connor & Southern Gothic themes, 8th edition
These examples are meant to demonstrate the guidelines for writing about literature & documentation.
Rubric
Journal: Short Stories
Journal: Short Stories
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Controlling idea
4 pts
Introduction defines a controlling idea through which the short story will be analyzed, creating a strong focus for the discussion.
3 pts
A controlling idea is mentioned in the introduction yet is either not defined or the definition does not have any bearing on the discussion of the short story in the next paragraph.
2 pts
No controlling idea is given in the introduction. Without a focus the discussion digresses into a plot summary of the short story
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Thesis
4 pts
The thesis lists the author’s name and title of the short story and presents the controlling idea as a debatable claim (a theory or question).
3 pts
The thesis lists the author’s name and title of the short story, yet the controlling idea is simply mentioned and not given as a debatable claim (no theory or question posed)
2 pts
The thesis is either missing or overly general: no focus or direction created for the discussion.
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Supporting Paragraphs
5 pts
The supporting paragraphs isolate 1-2 key parts of the short story that best support the thesis. Each supporting paragraph has a topic sentence, a quotation form the short story and an explanation of what is revealed about the perspective being given, symbolism, or insights into the character. Analysis is specific and focused.
3.8 pts
The supporting paragraphs lack topic sentences, yet focus on one part of the short story. Quotations from the short story are given, yet analysis is limited or brief. It is unclear how the supporting paragraph connects to the thesis.
3 pts
Supporting paragraphs simply list several parts of the short story with no clear focus. Quotations from the short story are either missing, ineffective or are given without any explanation. No discernible analysis is given to support the thesis’s debatable claim.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Dcouementation
2 pts
Documentation is given = parenthetical citations + a reference page. Parenthetical citations are given when research is quoted or summarized in the writer’s own words + quotations from the short stories have parenthetical citations. The reference page lists all sources included in the discussion.
