2 similar stories in Literature by Barnet. Do certain passages dialogue or description seem to you to point especially toward the theme? Do you find certain repetitions of words or pairs of incidents highly suggestive and helpful in directing your tho

1. All essays must use the standard MLA format described in the Compact Literature text. 
2. Essays should be double-spaced, typed in 12-pont font (Times New Roman, please), in black. No weird typefaces or italicized essays, please!
3. Put your name on the first page of the essay. 
4. Name the Microsoft Word document using your last name (like JonesEssay1).
5. Turn in Essay Assignments to the Assignment folder. 
6. If you are not writing your essays in a Word program, please saved them in Rich Text Format. Otherwise, I will not be able to open them. 
Length
1        4-to-5 pages, double-spaced, 10 or 12 font size (Times New Roman, please)
2        Remember: Each essay must be 4 to 5 pages, double spaced. Essays that are not 4 full pages will be penalized ten points.

Requirements
1        Title Your Essay “ be sure to make your title specific to your topic and focus; also, be sure to include the name of the author and the name of the short story that you’ll be analyzing
2        Put your name, the class, and the assignment due date (all double spaced) at the top left corner of page 1
3        Insert a header with your last name and page number “ (go to View, select Header, hit the tab key twice, type in your last number and a space, hit the # icon, and close the header)

Additional Special Requirements
4        10 (minimum) well-used paraphrases or quotes from the text to support your main points “ be sure to include the page reference
5        Essay Time Log (see below)
6        Two (minimum) in-text citations (author and page reference) per paragraph “ be sure to include the page reference
7        Note: Cite all material. No outside sources are required for this essay; however, if you elect to use outside sources, you must cite all materials that you use according to MLA style “ both in the body of the text with in-text citation, and in a Works Cited page.

Assignment:
A personal response to literature explores your thoughts and feelings about a piece of writing.  A review discusses why a particular literary piece may or may not be worth reading.  A literary analysis, however, presents your thoughtful interpretation or understanding of a literary work.  It is the most challenging form of writing about literature.

Choose one of the following essay questions, and write a concise literary analysis essay.  Base the ideas in your analysis on a close and careful reading of the text.  Make sure to connect all of your main points with specific references to the text.  Finally, present the results of your work in a carefully planned essay containing a thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and closing remarks.

Topic Choices (Select two stories from our textbook and then select one of the following topics. For each of them, I want you to either note commonalities or contrasts in your analysis. For example, you may find that two stories have similar themes, though a varied approach in accomplishing it; as well, you may find two settings are symbolic for different reasons. The sun in one story might represent hope and in the other story it might symbolize intensity. Be keen about the stories you select. There should be a distinct relationship between the two.)


(1) Theme
Do certain passages “ dialogue or description “ seem to you to point especially toward the theme? Do you find certain repetitions of words or pairs of incidents highly suggestive and helpful in directing your thoughts toward stating a theme?

OR

(2) Setting
What is the relation of the setting to the plot and the characters? (For instance, do houses or rooms or their furnishings say something about their residents?) Would anything be lost if the descriptions of the setting were deleted from the story or if the setting were changed?

OR

(3) Character
What purposes do minor characters serve? Do you find some who by their similarities and differences help to define each other or help to define the major characters? How else is a particular character defined “ by his or her words, actions (including thoughts and emotions), dress, setting, narrative point-of-view? Do certain characters act differently in the same, or in similar, situations? Why?
OR

(4) Protagonist

How would you describe the main character? Is he or she a flat or round character? If he or she evolves, does a clear path of motivation appear to be present? Also, what obstacle appears to be creating the most resistance for the protagonist? And does the protagonist overcome this antagonist or succumb to it?