The Written Assignment Reflective Statement 300 -400 words

The Written Assignment Reflective Statement 300 -400 words Written Assignment 1200 -1500 words How do I begin to the process of a formal written essay?

How do I start? • Step 1: Choose a work that you really like! You will be spending a lot of time with this paper, so you should at least like it! • Step 2: Decide on an original aspect of the work that you find interesting and want to further explore. This is a chance for you to explore a topic that we did not get a chance to fully discuss in class. Shh…. Keep it your secret for now! • Step 3: Look back at your notes from the Interactive Orals and your Reflective Statements. What did you gravitate towards?

Important Tips! • Start with a question that fascinates you about the work! • EX: How does Tartuffe’s treatment of Orgon and his family members connect to the social and political aspects of his society? • Avoid the obvious! If we beat it to death in class, run away from that topic! • What are the obvious topics for the WIT’s we’ve studied: The Stranger? Szymborska’s poetry? Tartuffe?

Thesis: What, How, and Why • What – your original idea, interpretation, or perspective on the work. It must be something not immediately obvious to any reader of the work. • How – the literary, stylistic, and/or structural element(s) you will discuss which, combined with text references, will form the support for your claim. • Why – your explanation of the writer’s purpose or of the importance of this perspective.

Developing your idea into a thesis: • Starting out: I enjoyed The Metamorphosis; mostly interested in Gregor’s role as “worker” versus his family member’s roles as idle layabouts. What might they represent politically? • Aspect: A examination of Gregor and the Samsa family through a Marxist lens (perspective). – What questions can I ask about the worker? The capitalist? • Possible working thesis/statement of intent: – WHAT: Gregor is a successful capitalist who works himself to death for decadent luxuries so that his father can be idle, Grete can go to a musical academy, his mother can stay home and they can have a servant. The family are idle workers, who have become active and productive workers by the end. – HOW (possible avenues of exploration): descriptions of each family member’s health and level of activity in the beginning, after getting jobs, and at the end. – WHY: Kafka comparing failed capitalism to successful Marxism?

Prompt vs. Title Make the most of this opportunity to impress • Prompt: Which minor character plays the most significant role? Work: A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen Essay title: Mrs. Linde as role model in A Doll House • Prompt: Do you think there are some characters in the work whose chief role is to convey cultural values? Work: Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garci a Ma rquez Essay title: The Vicario brothers as champions of honour • Prompt: Identify one or more symbol, motif or strand of imagery. What role do they play in the work? Work: Dr Zhivago by Boris Pasternak Essay title: The contrasting roles of ice and snow in Dr. Zhivago

WA Proposal Due Thursday, May 5 1. This is a Word Doc. I’ll post it on my website. You MUST download and submit your work in this format. 2. You MUST indicate which Reflection you will connect to your essay. I will have to create an e-file for each of you with Reflection, SW, Proposal, WA. Written Assignment Due to Turnitin Thursday, May 19