Word/Page Count = 600 words/2-3 pages Grade Weight = 10% Purpose: Literary ana

Word/Page Count = 600 words/2-3 pages
Grade Weight = 10%
Purpose:
Literary analysis is the careful examination of a text or an element of a text (plot, character, theme, setting, etc.) leading to conclusions about the meaning of that text. The essay functions to
demonstrate a student’s comprehension of a text, its meaning, and its sociocultural/historical
significance, in addition to showcasing a student’s ability to engage in critical thinking skills and
sustain a sound argument in writing.
Assignment:
For this assignment you will select one short story
to work with from those listed below (see “Story Options”). You should then formulate a thesis that
establishes how you think this short story responds to a specific social, culture, economic, or historical topic. For example, you might choose to focus on how a short story comments on the expectations of gender roles for men or women. Other options might be the problems surrounding mental health,
identity, familial relationship, social behaviors, traditions, economics (capitalism/communism), or a historical event/occurrence. Regardless of what topic you focus on in the story, make sure that your
thesis makes clear what the story’s standpoint is on that topic.
Once you have formulated a thesis
statement, you will then write a 600-word essay that develops and supports this thesis by pointing to specific examples within the story and developing close readings (explanations) of those examples.
Be sure to avoid summarizing the story and make sure the close readings stay focused on how the
story conveys its meaning and supports your thesis. For example, if you are arguing that a short story presents a character with mental health issues to convey the need for better mental health
awareness, to support this thesis you would need to point to relevant examples from the story and
then explain how those examples prove your argument is correct.
No outside sources should be used for this essay assignment. You should use just the short story from the textbook and your own critical reading and thinking skills for this essay.
Story Options:
Ernest Hemingway, “Soldier’s Home” pg. 399-405
Shirley Jackson, “The Lottery” pg.704-710
Amy Tan, “Two Kinds” pg.356-364
Alice Walker, “Everyday Use” pg. 365-372
Essay Basics:
The tone of the essay should be argumentative but objective. The audience for this
essay is academic, so voice should be more formal (avoid the use of “I”) and you can assume that
readers are familiar with the content of the short story. The essay should include at least 2 quotations from the short story. This essay should be formatted according to the MLA style guide and include a Work Cited page. Page and word count does not include the Work Cited page.
Sample Thesis Statements:
Example Thesis Statement 1: James Joyce’s “Araby” showcases the difficult process of
youthful growth and development through the depiction of a confrontation between the idealizations of youth and the unvarnished reality.
Example Thesis Statement 2: Through the character of Miss
Emily Grierson, William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for Emily” emphasizes the futility and danger of adhering to outdated traditions and thinking.