Choose a reading from our class (Convenience Store Woman, Severance, Death of a Salesman) and, through research, apply a critical approach or theory of literature to your selection. Make an assertion about the text when viewed through this theory and support it through detailed analysis.
Any of these theories are okay:
Psychological Criticism, Freudian Criticism, Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Deconstruction, Reader Response Criticism
You may find that the conventions of fiction and drama are valuable to your understanding of the text. Beyond those, consider trying to isolate then ruminate on a common thread that runs through a story, then identify the critical approach or theory of literature that seems most appropriate for readers to understand your interpretation of the text. Or consider your own point-of-view; how might your own unique position ascribe to a school of thought?
Present your case in a focused thesis statement and support it with evidence from the primary source. In addition to gathering textual evidence, you must research and support your analysis with credible outside sources. A minimum of five (5) sources—in addition to the primary text—are required, including:
Three (3) academic or professional journal sources (print or online)
One (1) popular source, such as a news periodical (print or online)
One (1) book (print or electronic)
Explain to the reader the credentials of those you incorporate into your essay, and provide context for their inclusion. If you have questions about what constitutes an academic/professional or popular source, please don’t hesitate to bring them to me.
This analytic essay should:
open with an introduction that catches the reader’s attention, provides context for understanding the essay (the text, its author, and your theoretical approach to the piece), and culminates in the thesis statement
expound on the thesis by
defining the critical approach or theory of literature you’ve chosen
identifying in the text examples which illustrate or otherwise support your argument
incorporating support for your argument from your research
organize those examples and research in paragraphs where you explain their connection to your thesis, providing details that help the reader understand your position
conclude satisfactorily, with what might be a lesson learned, or concluding argument, but is never a summation of the whole essay
mention the title and author(s) or creator(s) of any referenced work (including MLA documentation–8th ed.)
Avoid:
Long or block quotes
First- and second-person pronouns
Over-reliance on plot summary
Over-reliance on web material, reviews, and/or the encyclopedia or dictionary
Thank You!
