Ignore body paragraphs 5 & 6 in outline.
6 paragraphs total
“so what”wider implications of the paragraphs.
Your final analytical paper will be an analysis of one or more of the literary works that we’ve
read so far in class. This week’s assignment is an outline for that paper, but here’s a preview of
the general requirements of the final paper so that you have a good idea of where you’re headed:
• All papers must be six paragraphs long, including an introduction paragraph, four body
paragraphs, and a conclusion paragraph.
• The introduction should provide basic background info on the author(s) and the
story/stories and end with your thesis statement (the principal argument you’re making
about the literature in your analysis).
• The four body paragraphs should delve deeply into the inferential/interpretive level by
analyzing specific passages from the story/stories.
•The conclusion is the place to address the literature on an evaluate level (zooming out of
the story and looking at how the ideas are relevant in the real world). The first sentence of
the conclusion, though, should be a restatement of the thesis (though expressed in
different words).
• Formatting, citations, and references must all adhere to APA style.
Below are all your prompt options. Pick whichever one seems most interesting to you for your
analytical paper.
Prompt Option 1
You’ve read two short stories by Kate Chopin – Story of an Hour and Desiree’s Baby. Identify
four common elements – one for each body paragraph – that the two stories share, and
demonstrate how they work similarly in both stories. These can be elements like themes, tone,
and/or use of literary devices. Another option is to compare and contrast the two main characters
– Louise Mallard and Desiree. For this option, you will need to come up with four ways in which
the characters are similar and/or different. Think outside the box when comparing and
contrasting the stories. Provide multiple quotes from the stories in each body paragraph to
support your points, make sure to analyze passages on an inferential/interpretive level, and don’t
forget to “read between the lines.”
Prompt Option 2
Performance and deception play important roles in A Doll’s House. Is performance always tied
to deception in the play? Explore the two themes. You can explore the ways in which different
characters perform and/or deceive for your four body paragraphs. Provide multiple quotes from
the play in each body paragraph to support your points, make sure to analyze passages on an
inferential/interpretive level, and don’t forget to “read between the lines.”
Prompt Option 3
Explore the themes of identity and reputation in Fantomina. How do the characters define/see
themselves, and how does society’s notions of identity and reputation affect them? You don’t
have to focus exclusively on Fantomina. The importance of identity and reputation affects other
characters as well. Provide multiple quotes from the novella in each body paragraph to support
your points, make sure to analyze passages on an inferential/interpretive level, and don’t forget
to “read between the lines.”
Prompt Option 4
Write a paper in which you analyze ALL of our female lead characters – Louise Mallard,
Désirée, Nora, and Fanotmina. You can devote one body paragraph to each. The key for this
option will be to find a common theme or element that ties all four characters together, so you
will need to step back to start seeing the patterns/connections. Then you will zoom back in to
interpret by engaging in close reading of passages. Provide multiple quotes from the literature in
each body paragraph to support your points, make sure to analyze passages on an
inferential/interpretive level, and don’t forget to “read between the lines.”
Once you’ve decided on your prompt, you can begin work on your outline for this week. The
template is provided within the Blackboard instructions.
You need to use a formal outline format; use the outline template provided to help structure your outline.
You must write full sentences for the thesis statement, the topic/transition sentences, the passages, and the restatement of thesis.
Note: The passages will be direct quotes from the text, so include quotation marks and a citation in APA style.
Do not include any information from research yet. You first want to make sure that you have enough evidence from the text itself to defend your thesis.
