Assessment outline
Section B: Critically examine the effect of rivalry, revenge, and sacrifice in the works of two gothic women writers studied this semester in the Fiction Module.
Essay
1000 words but 10% quotes included and references excluded
In your answer, you are expected to explore in detail two features of the gothic that will help build your argument. These may include, but are not limited to, the Byronic hero, mimetic identity, woman as scapegoat, cruelty, horror, the grotesque, the lone traveller, the uncanny, the female avenger, the sublime. (For more features, review the lectures and tutorials.)
Additionally, you are expected to make substantive reference to at least one of the following key narrative concepts in your essay: language, structure, perspective, focalisation, intertextuality, symbolism.
Section B is an exercise in critical thought and will require the use of at least two critical texts to support your reading of fiction. For critical texts you are to search no further that vUWS or the WSU library catalogue.
Failure to express yourself clearly, logically, and in your own words will mean an automatic fail for this section. (See “Presentation” criterion below.)
Critically examine: apply critical thinking in an evaluation and analysis of the issues and key points concerning the question; this means to weigh up and compare these issues and points using the two texts of choice.
Effect, n: “result or consequence of an action”
Rivalry, revenge, sacrifice: refer back to lectures and tutorial discussions on an understanding of how these terms have been used and applied to a reading of fiction this semester.
Two gothic women writers: we covered the works of three gothic women writers this semester (“Transformation,” The Dressmaker, “The Lottery”). Choose any combination you want – just be sure you choose only two.
Section B requires a response as an essay.
It’s OK to use the additional readings and/or the prescribed weekly secondary readings of vUWS and/or the WSU Library catalogue to research the question
Section B is an exercise in critical thought and will require the use of at least two critical texts to support your reading of fiction. For critical texts you are to search no further that vUWS or the WSU library catalogue.
In your answer, you are expected to explore in detail two features of the gothic that will help build your argument. These may include, but are not limited to, the Byronic hero, mimetic identity, woman as scapegoat, cruelty, horror, the grotesque, the lone traveller, the uncanny, the female avenger, the sublime. (For more features, review the lectures and tutorials.)
Additionally, you are expected to make substantive reference to at least one of the following key narrative concepts in your essay: language, structure, perspective, focalisation, intertextuality, symbolism.
Failure to express yourself clearly, logically, and in your own words will mean an automatic fail for this section. (See “Presentation” criterion below.)
Example of goodparagraph follow structure
What works about this paragraph and why?
Unlike Willy, Oedipus recognises the shame of having committed parricide and married his mother. Oedipus strives to repair his wound of indignity, which stems from his understanding that he is an outsider and does not belong in his kingdom. When Oedipus experiences anagnorisis; a “change from ignorance to knowledge”,2 he becomes “racked with anguish”.3 Sophocles employs dramatic irony, as Oedipus recites the message of the oracle, unaware that he has already fulfilled the prophesy: “‘You are fated to couple with your mother…\ you will kill your father, the one who gave you life!’”.4 This provides the audience insight into Oedipus’ fate and forebodes his tragic downfall. The meaning of tragedy has evolved and “it can refer at once to works of art, real‐life events and world‐views or structures of feeling”.5 Thus, in contrast to Oedipus, Willy does not experience anagnorisis in the Aristotelian sense, but remains disillusioned. Biff confronts his father, forcing him to recognise that he is nothing: “I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!”.6 Nevertheless, the only meaningful realisation that Willy experiences is that Biff loves him, which heals his sense of shame over his parenting and leads him “to lay down his life”.7
- Has a paragraph topic sentence;
- Compares primary texts at the level of the topic idea;
Use of colon to illustrate personal claim with quote; this punctuation form ensures your quotes do not just “float” on in.
- Quotes (and accurately cites) from primary and secondary texts;
- Integrates quotes using proper
punctuation; 5. Answers the
question;
6. Writes clearly!
_______________________
2 Aristotle, “From The Poetics,” 76.
3 Sophocles, “Oedipus the King,” II. 1001.
4 Sophocles, “Oedipus the King,” II. 873-75. 5 Eagleton, “A Theory of Ruins,” 9.
6 Miller, Death of a Salesman, 105.
7 Miller, “Tragedy and the Common Man.”
Chicago style referencing; accurately used
