Introduction to Literature Final Paper
Write a literary analysis of 3-4 pages in length (1200-1500 words maximum) using textual evidence from 1 (or 2 if you are feeling ambitious) of the texts that you have read. Papers need to be thesis driven. Thus, you need to establish a clear and arguable thesis that is proven by arguments based on specific evidence from the texts. Choose from Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Grapes of Wrath, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest or LaRose.
Some Suggested Guidelines:
Your paper will need:
Introduction with lead-in clearly connected to thesis, brief summary of text, mention of author(s) and text(s), and thesis statement (Include the author name and title of the novel italicized as well as your central argument).
Decide on a clearly stated thesis. Remember, a thesis must argue something
Proofs/Topic Sentences (A proof states one reason your thesis is correct)
Determine how to prove the thesis.
o What are two or three strong arguments for the thesis
Specific examples (The examples needs to be SPECIFIC quotes/examples from the literary work; include correct parenthetical citation: quote (5).
o Within/before your examples establish the context and speaker of the quote if applicable. Do not state On page 5…. Use the Quote Sandwich o Explanation (explains why the example is important and how it supports both the proof and the thesis)
Conclusion : give concluding thoughts/analysis of the text and wrap up your thesis
Reminders:
Use MLA style and provide a Works Cited; use MLA parenthetical citations Do not use first person or second person pronouns including I, we, and you Use present tense voice/present tense verbs
Organization: what are the strongest arguments (probably end with those)? Have clear markers in your paper as to where you are going- topic sentences and hooks/transitions.
USE transitions/hooks- CONNECT, CONNECT, CONNECT (see me for transitions/strong verbs sheet if desired)
Potential topics:
1. How does the book depict the modern world?
2. What does the book say about values in America?
3. What are the perils of being a woman in early 20th Century America?
4. What do these novels say about the American Dream? Is it for everyone?
5. What is the role of female characters in the books you have read so far? What
is problematic in their portrayal? Or, how does this role and purpose compare to
the male characters?
6. Discuss how gender/gender roles, race, sexuality or societal expectations affect
a character(s)? Possibly compare texts.
7. How does community affect its members? Is community positive/negative? How
does it fail or help the characters?
8. Use a particular lens to interpret the text (psychoanalytic, feminist, Marxist)
9. Relationships: How are relationships portrayed in a given text(s)? Consider
parent/child, husband/wife, and friendships.
10.How is power examined in a text(s) and what is the author saying through
this?
11. Using the ideas of naturalism, what does the text or several texts say about
ones fate?
12.What lesson(s) have you learned from reading these books?
13.Some of the books you have read this year relate to the experience of taking a
journey, whether literal or metaphorical. In what ways was that journey important or necessary?
keep in mind my teacher is super liberal and i have gotten As on most papers by leaning that way in my writing and talking about feminism/ racial injustice. so preferably a topic on that would be amazing 🙂
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