EWRT 1C Class 51

AGENDA

Final Comments on Room

Introduction to essay #3

Writing essay #3

Homework Evaluations

Final Exam Review

End of Days!

Room: Approaches and Ideas?

“In the night there’s vampire germs floating around with masks on so we can’t see their faces and an empty coffin that turns into a huge toilet and flashes the whole world away. […] Then Ajeet is all crazy putting Raja’s poo in a parcel to mail to us because I kept six toys, somebody’s breaking my bones and sticking pins in them” (Room 217).“He thinks my brain is probably doing a spring cleaning. […] ‘Now you’re safe, it’s gathering up all those scary thoughts you don’t need anymore, and throwing them out as bad dreams.’ […] I don’t say because of manners, but actually he’s got it backwards. In Room I was safe and Outside is the scary” (218-219).

Q: Is Dr. Clay right about the cause of Jack’s bad dreams? Is his brain doing a “spring cleaning” to throw away scary memories during the captivity?

Approaches

Q: Why does Ma become defensive towards the doctors as they attempt to treat Jack’s wounds?

Anger is a typical reaction after a traumatic event. However, as Donoghue illustrates, Jack was all she had. Ma’s only reason for living is Jack, keeping him safe and raising him was all she cared about in Room. Jack helps her cope with her situation and ultimately is her savior. For Ma, this was insulting to her, as would anyone be if they were question about their whole life’s work.

PASSAGE: “I am using the the Dora Explorer passage. This is when he first introduces us to his friends and describes what goes on in the TV. The passage is too long to post.”(This is one of my favorite passages because it is very innocent and REALLY cute)

QUESTION: Using a psychoanalytic lens, what does this passage say about Jack and what he believes to be real?

Essay #3: Response to the Novel

The Writing Assignment

In a thesis driven essay of 4-7 pages, analyze one or more aspects of Elie Wiesel’s Night, Cormac McCarthy’s Outer Dark, or Emma Donoghue’s Room. Consider using one extrinsic theoretical lens (Feminist, Psychoanalytic, or Trauma theories), we have practiced this quarter to complicate your argument. Aim to convince readers that your interpretation adds to the conversation among those who read stories and write about them. Back up your analysis with reasons and support from the story. Use the critical strategies that we have practiced this quarter.

See the complete assignment on our website

Due before the Final

Submission Requirements: Please submit an electronic copy to palmoreessaysubmission@gmail.com

Format Requirement: MLA-style formatting and citations

Length: Your finished text should be between four and seven pages, excluding the Works Cited page.

Research Requirements: 3-5 secondarysources are required for this essay.

The Interpretive Literary Thesis

The most common method of examining a text is through

an argumentative literary paper: a paper with an

interpretive literary thesis. Note that an interpretive

literary paper differs from a simple literary analysis. An

interpretive paper or analysis argues; a simple literary

analysis does not argue but rather just points out the elements of literature in a literary work.

Brainstorm

Do some reading and research: What do you need to know to refine or support your idea.

Develop a working thesis: this must be an arguable point.

Outline your main points

Gather sources and textual evidence

Write

Revise, Revise, Revise

How to Proceed

The Thesis

Consider tensions and themes in the text. Use a theoretical lens to imagine these tensions and themes from different perspectives. Sometimes, ideas are fuzzy in their earliest stages. As you read, think, and write, your idea should take on more clarity and depth. Sometimes the opposite happens; if it does, discard the idea and begin again. Often, such failures are necessary.

Creative ideas and uncommon theses are great, but be sure that you can find adequate support for your thesis. Also, make sure that there is not strong proof against your thesis in the literary work. It also is acceptable to have a more usual or average interpretation; however, avoid using a thesis that is so obvious to the other readers of the literary work that they could choose your thesis and write your paper as easily as you. You want to have at least some originality.

The thesis statement is the most important

part of your paper

1. The thesis statement is the announcement of the analytical argument that you

intend prove in your paper. It is the readers’ road map. It is your road map.

2. It should probably be placed somewhere in the introduction of your paper. It

often fits well at the end, though you are not confined by that rule.

3. Successful thesis statements provoke thought and should read beautifully.

This is not the place for awkward sentences or grammar errors.

4. Your working thesis statement should generally include two parts:

What claim are you making about the text?

Why is your claim important? Your thesis should answer the “so what?”

question.

5. A thesis statement is usually, but can be more than, one sentence long.

Thesis Example

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

Why is this thesis weak? Think about what the reader would expect from the essay that follows.

This thesis suggests you will provide a general, appreciative summary of Twain’s novel. This is your opinion of the novel. This is not an interpretive thesis; instead, think about why it’s such a great novel—what do Huck’s adventures tell you about life, about America, about coming of age, or about race relations?

Pick an aspect of the novel that you think is important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children.

Thesis Example

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

Is this one better? Why? What will your analysis reveal to the reader?

Here’s a working thesis with potential: you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation; however, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal. Your reader is intrigued, but is still thinking, “So what? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

Perhaps you are not sure yet, either. That’s fine—begin to work on comparing scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions. Eventually you will be able to clarify for yourself, and then for the reader, why this contrast matters.

Thesis Example

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. The words I have bolded are forecasting words—words that you will return to in the essay as you work to prove your thesis.

Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Modified from a handout from “The Writing Center.” University of North Carolina

Posting: Self-Assessment

The blogging post points (150) require self-assessment. Consider three aspects of your responses: • First, how many of the posts did you make? (35 possible)• Second, what was the quality of your responses? • Third, how timely were your submissions? Write a brief argument justifying your grade. This is due Friday before noon. Please submit your justification as an email to palmoredessaysubmission@gmail.com

Final Exam

100 points available

Comprehensive objective section, with an emphasis on classes 38 to 47 (about 2/3 of the test is on the new material): 60 points

Essay Question: 500 words: 40 points

Schedule and Due Dates

Class 52: Wednesday No formal meeting: optional individual

meetings.

Class 53: Thursday No formal meeting: optional individual

meetings.

Class 54: Friday Homework Evaluations due at noon

Class 55: Monday Make-up or re-take of exam #1 or #2 Essay revisions due before class

Final Exam Essay #3 Due before the Final meeting. 10:30 Class meets Tuesday 6/24 9:15-11:15 11:30 Class meets Wednesday6/25 11:30-1:30