For this assignment, you may choose to write about either poetry or drama. Choose any ONE of the following options and compose an analytical research paper.
For the paper, you may choose any ONE of the following options:
Compare the speaker in any TWO poems we studied.
Analyze the use of figurative language in any poem we studied.
Explain the role played by sight (both literal and figurative) in Oedipus Rex.
Analyze the the use of names in Hedda Gabler.
For the topic you choose, you will write an 800-1000 word essay.
Your essay must:
support your assertions with specific examples from the primary source
support your assertions with specific examples from at least one scholarly (peer-reviewed) secondary source. (Go back and review the fiction paper module for an explanation of scholarly vs. popular sources if necessary)
make use of quotations from both the poem(s) or play of your choice and at least one peer-reviewed secondary source
follow MLA guidelines for providing attribution and citations (see lecture notes for specifics regarding poetic citation in MLA format, if applicable)
include a correctly formatted Works Cited page which must be placed in the same document as the paper
maintain an academic tone and college level diction (avoid use of first and second-person pronouns)
As always, the essay should be clearly written with a strong thesis and main points supporting that thesis. The essay should also be free of mechanical errors. You should assume a college-level audience for your essay. Therefore, you should NOT define terminology such as “theme” or “tone,” as that would be considered too basic for your reader.
If you wish to submit the optional rough draft of the drama paper, you may do so by 11:59 PM on June 12. Please submit drafts the assignment drop box. Happy writing!
Composing this essay will help you meet the following learning outcomes:
Write an essay about the literature using the principles of good writing as set forth in Composition I: unity, coherence, development, mechanics, style
Write an essay employing library sources; to show the procedure according to the MLA Style Manual for collecting sources and citing references.