english comp final essay

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Humanities

For the Final Research Essay (750 minimum-1,000 words maximum), you are to choose between the “Critical Analysis” and the “Comparison/Contrast” Essay formats, and clearly indicate your selection. The final essay should focus on one of three (3) options, and the selected option should be noted on the essay submission:

Format and Thesis Options: Select one, two, or three literary conventions related to characterization and/or character development; you may also elect to examine specific aspects of plot, character background, character actions, character motivations, setting, and/or theme.

3. In addition, you may elect to adopt a critical perspective (biographical, feminist, historical, psychoanalytical, etc.) if you choose, but this is not required;

4. Develop your thesis statement: your topic, plus the points you will make in your essay;

5. Complete your research and your planning pages (review the instructions and follow the examples);

6. Draft your essay (include an introduction, well-developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion); edit your essay, revise to address writing concerns and/or errors, and submit your essay.

Tips:

• Your C/C Thesis statement should:

1) Name the items to be compared/contrasted

2) Indicate the purpose of the comparison /contrast

3) Name the grounds for comparison/contrast

• The essay pattern in plain English: Introduce; compare; contrast; and conclude (be sure to include primary and secondary support and citation).

• Make sure you avoid engaging in an “extended summary” of the work (telling what happened in the play);

• Use literary conventions to discuss “what the writer (your choice of writer and work) is accomplishing through the characters, and in the work;

• Use your secondary sources (books and/or articles) to demonstrate your knowledge of how other writers have examined the work, as well as points they have raised;

• Use the primary text to illustrate points, rather than to summarize the play, short-story, or novel;

• Make your points clear, and avoid speculations which your sources do not support.

(1) focus on a minimum of three works by a single-author,

(2) focus on three works by a combination of authors, or

(3) address a single work, by a literary author (examples: Chopin, Hawthorne, Glaspell, Twain, Shakespeare, Hurston, Ellison, etc.); choose a single literary convention, and examine the writer’s use of that convention throughout the work; some possibilities include setting, irony, tone, POV, imagery, theme, symbolism, etc..

The thesis must be a single statement, and the essay format must be identified; your thesis must also include identification of the writer(s) and work(s) you will be focusing on.

  • The final essay should engage a critical analysis or comparison/contrast of some literary aspect of the work(s) under consideration.

For all Final Essay options and choices:

1. Develop your thesis statement: your topic, plus the points you will make in your essay;

2. Complete your research and your planning pages (review the instructions and follow the examples);

3. Draft your essay; edit and proof your essay, and submit your essay.

Tips:

• Your C/C Thesis statement should:

1) Name the items to be compared/contrasted

2) Indicate the purpose of the comparison /contrast

3) Name the grounds for comparison/contrast

• present the essay pattern in plain English: Introduce; compare; contrast; and conclude (be sure to include primary and secondary support and citation).

• avoid engaging in an “extended summary” of the work (telling what happened in the play);

• Use literary conventions to discuss “what the writer (Shakespeare) is accomplishing through the characters, and in the work;

• Use your sources to demonstrate your knowledge of how other writers have examined the work, as well as points they have raised;

• Use the text to illustrate points, rather than to summarize the play;

• Make your points clear, and avoid speculations which your sources do not support.

There are no revisions on any portion of the Final

Submit Microsoft Word attachments only