Due Date: April 16
Literary Analysis Research Paper.
The Short Story i have chosen is the Lottery by Shirley Jackson and the essay topic is Shirley Jackson uses
powerful symbols throughout “The Lottery” to convey deeper meanings about
violence, tradition, and complicity in society.
Literary analysis is also known as literary criticism. In this context, “criticism” means a close reading and interpretation of a literary text, such as a short story, a play, a novel. The elements that make up a literary work are closely examined for their meaning and significance. Some of these elements are theme, character, and plot. Regardless of what aspect you choose to discuss, your analysis will focus on one controlling idea that, if writing, can be stated in one direct sentence. For example: “Although most critics regard Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra as a great love tragedy, through the use of symbolism, it is actually a mockery of a tragedy, for Cleopatra is incapable of love, and Antony is interested only in sex.” This student then introduces evidence from the play to prove her central controlling idea / thesis. When you analyze a literary text, you will deal with basic elements of literature, such as plot, theme, character, point of view, symbolism, and setting, to name a few.
For this assignment, you are required to:
Select one of the literary elements of literature to discuss, in a researched analysis, (read handouts). For instance, you may select a literary element such as symbolism, irony, or setting, etc., there are a few elements of literature, that you can choose from.
Select the literature that you would like to analyze, from the examples of literature we have studied this semester, listed on the course syllabus. It can be one of the short stories, or plays. It can be a short story or play we have already read, or one that we are still yet to read. For instance, you may wish to choose “Sonny’s Blues,” or “A Doll’s House.” As long your literature selection is from the course syllabus, you may select it.
You must submit an abstract proposal of your selection. Your abstract proposal must include the work you’ve selected, the literary element that you’ve selected, and an outline of the paper. The abstract proposal is due on March 18. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT PROPOSAL HERE. SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT PROPOSALS IN THE CORRECT DROPBOX. If you do not submit an abstract proposal of your essay, it will be reflected in your grade and you will not earn a favorable grade on this assignment, which will impact whether you pass this course or not. Please keep in mind that this one assignment is worth 20% of your final grade, so it will not be wise for you to ignore this deadline! Once I receive your abstract proposal, I will read and return it to you with comments and approval for your research project. IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT PROPOSAL TO THE CORRECT ASSIGNMENT DROPBOX, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE OR APPROVAL FOR YOUR RESEARCH.
You must also include with your final paper, an annotated bibliography, that includes 5 outside scholarly sources, that you have used in your essay. This annotated bibliography, is different than the one you already submitted. In your final annotated bibliography, you may have chosen to omit some sources that you liked originally in the first annotated bibliography that you submitted. Research is constantly changing. So, your final annotated bibliography, should only contain the actual 5 outside sources that appear in your essay. The final annotated bibliography, should not be vastly different than the first. It should resemble the first annotated bibliography, but with updates.
The sources that you select, must demonstrate variety. For instance, you may not use all sources that are periodicals. You must show variety in the sources that you select. The annotated bibliography, must be done according to MLA guidelines. Each paragraph written for the annotated bibliography, must be a minimum of 5 sentences in length. The sources that you use, must be credible scholarly sources that have been obtained through Galileo. Sources such as Google and Wikipedia, are not scholarly sources. Therefore, if you have not utilized sources that have been obtained through Galileo, you will not earn a passing grade on this essay assignment. Therefore, please pay attention. If you are unclear about using Galileo, and need help finding all of your sources, contact a GSU librarian, and schedule an appointment through the following link: https://rooms.library.gsu.edu/appointments
Please make sure that you have carefully read the handouts for this assignment on: “Writing a Literary Analysis”, “Elements of Literature,” “MLA 8th Edition Guide,” and “Annotated Bibliography”. Please do not e-mail me, claiming that “I don’t understand…,” when you know that you have not read any of the information in its entirety, you’ve been instructed to read. Partially reading information, is not reading! Follow directions.
The length of the essay should be five (5) double-spaced typewritten pages. If your essay is under 5 pages, you will be penalized, and have points deducted. Students are expected to utilize the normal font size of twelve (12) inches on computers, as well as adhere to the correct margin setting of one (1) inch. Each typed page should be numbered with your last name in the top right-hand corner. As already mentioned, an evaluative annotated bibliography, is also required, with the final submission of your essay. Do not use extra spaces between paragraphs. This is not how you correctly indicate a new paragraph has started. Indenting indicates a new paragraph. (Please note this is a foolish way to lose points on your essay).
Lastly, please keep in mind that all papers will be carefully reviewed through Turnitin. Any student who submits a paper that has been plagiarized or reveals the use of AI, in ANY way, will earn a zero on this entire assignment, and earn an “F” as your final grade in this course. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will not be tolerated. Ignorance, is not a defense, so in short, don’t do it, because you will be caught! This one assignment is worth 20% of your final grade. Therefore, think very carefully about what you have to lose, if you cheat!
Each paper is required to have a title page with the professor’s name, class time, date, and student’s name. The title page is separate page that is not a numbered page. Please give your essay a creative “title.” Your essay title is not “Research Paper,” or “Literary Analysis!” Any paper not adhering to this MLA format, or these directions, will be penalized.
