English 1302 Papers
Associate Adjunct Professor Becky Villarreal
CYP Learning Lab, room 2108
bvillarr@austincc.edu
Fax: 512-223-2046
Attn. Becky Villarreal
Guidelines | MLA | Literary Writing | Paper 1 | Paper 2 | Paper 3| Department Exam| Paper 4|
***Click here to read detailed paper guidelines
Writing About Literature
Please refer to the Literary Writing and Terms handout and your textbook for a deeper understanding of the elements of short fiction (setting, theme, character, conflict, tone, language devices, irony, point of view, etc.). The central idea is the theme, the dominant impression, and the universal, generic truth found in the story. When writing your central idea statement, please refrain from using specific names of the characters. The central idea is almost always related to the conflict in the story.
Please remember to use literary terms when writing papers in this class. For fiction, this includes plot, climax, central idea, setting, tone, character (protagonist, antagonist, flat, round, dynamic, static), point of view (first person, second person, and third person objective, omniscient, or limited omniscient), language (allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, symbolism, diction, and irony), and conflict (external and internal).
For more detailed information on literary terminology and sample papers, see the handouts in the link below:
Remember to submit an outline (with your central idea) before drafting your paper. The outline should be no longer than one page and you do not have to use Roman numerals. The purpose of the outline is to look at your thesis statement and the organization of your paper to make sure that you are on the right track. After your outline has been approved, you can begin writing the paper. Do not submit the final version to me until at least two other students have critiqued your paper (and vice versa), and you have made modifications.
Paper 1: Setting and Central Idea (Minimum - 600 words--Maximum 100 points)
For this three-paragraph paper, you will analyze one of the 12 short stories from the required reading list. For all papers, please follow the guidelines discussed above. The final draft must incorporate at least two direct quotes from the story using MLA documentation and include a Works Cited.
Use the following outline to help you organize your essay.
- Introduction: Give the title of the story and the author's full name, write a brief summary, and state the central idea-- the dominant impression, the universal, generic truth found in the story.
- Body Paragraph: Describe and analyze the setting, both physical and cultural. Explain whether the setting is specific or general and tell how the setting contributes to the central idea of the story.
- Conclusion: Discuss the central idea of story.
- Works Cited
Paper 2: Point of View, Character, Conflict, and Central Idea (Minimum Length 1000 words--Maximum 100 points)
For this paper, you will analyze one of the 12 short stories from the required reading list (do not use a story used in another paper). For all papers, please follow the guidelines discussed above. The final draft must incorporate at least two direct quotes from the story using MLA documentation and include a Works Cited.
Use the following outline to help you organize your essay.
- Introduction (Give the title of the story and the author's full name, write a brief summary, and state the central idea-- the dominant impression, the universal, generic truth found in the story).
- Identify the point of view (first person, second person, and third person objective, omniscient, or limited omniscient) and explain how it is appropriate to the story.
- Analyze character. Name both the protagonist and antagonist. Describe both and determine if these characters are static or dynamic. If a character is static, explain what insight he/she fails to gain. If dynamic, describe the epiphany. Explain how the author's use of characterization supports the central idea of the story.
- Identify and analyze the conflict in the story. Identify the external and internal conflict if both exist. Explain how the conflict supports the central idea of the story.
- Conclusion: Discuss the central idea of story.
- Works Cited
Paper 3: (Research): Language, Tone, Two Other Dominant Elements, and Central Idea (Minimum Length - 1000 words--Maximum 200 points)
Instructions: For this paper, you will analyze one of the short stories from the optional reading list (do not use a story used in another paper). Throughout your essay, use examples from the story to support your discussion of each element. For all papers, please follow the guidelines discussed above. The final draft must incorporate at least two direct quotes from the story using MLA documentation and include a Works Cited. You also need to integrate at least two library sources by researching the author's biography, historical background, or literary criticism. Please use scholarly, library sources (don't Google and use unacceptable sources like SparkNotes, Wikipedia, Shmoop, Bookrags, or other Content Farms). Utilize the ACC Library (or other libraries) to find these sources. To access online literary databases, go to the ACC Library. Next, click "Articles and Research" then go to Articles and More. Finally, click Literature and Literary Criticism to find literary biographies and analyses, as well as critical and scholarly articles. At some point, you will be prompted to type in your ACCeID and password. If you need help, Ask a Librarian.
Note: You will not be given a permit to take the department exam unless you make a passing grade on this paper.
Please follow the outline below (in the order given):
1. Write an introduction with a short summary and state the central idea in the introduction.
2. In at least one body paragraph, identify the two most significant language devices used in the story and explain how they support the central idea. Examples of language devices include: personification, simile, metaphor, diction, irony, allusion, symbolism, etc.
3. Next, identify and analyze the tone of the story, the dominant elements contributing to tone, and the relationship of tone to the central idea. Use adjectives and examples from the story to describe the tone. Also, note any shifts in tone.
4. In at least two more body paragraphs, choose TWO of the most important elements (from the list below) and provide the suggested analysis for each:
a. Describe the central character(s) in the story and relate characters to the central idea.
b. Describe the central conflict of the story and its relationship to the central idea.
c. Identify the point of view and explain how this point of view is appropriate to the central idea.
d. Describe the setting and its relationship to the central idea-- both physical and cultural.
5. Write a conclusion in which you discuss the central idea
6. Works Cited (in your outline, list at least one library source that you will be using).
Note: Please proofread for mechanical errors.
Department Exam: Minimum Length - 750 words--Maximum 200 points
The department exam will be completed in the testing center after you have successfully completed Essays 1-3. Along with your grade for Paper 4 (you must get a passing grade for Paper 4), I will send you an admission ticket/permit via attachment. You will print out the department exam permit, and fill in your name, the course synonym number, the course section number, and the date. You will need to bring the permit, an ACC photo ID, pen, and pencil with you to the testing center.
In testing center, you will be given a short story to analyze. Please follow the suggestions discussed in the literary/paper guidelines above.
Use the following outline to help you organize your essay:
I. Introduction (Give the title of the short story and the author's name, write a brief summary, and state the central idea).II. Choose THREE of the most important elements (below) and provide the suggested analysis for each:
a. Describe the central character(s) in the story and relate characters to the central idea.b. Describe the central conflict of the story and its relationship to the central idea.
c. Identify the point of view and explain how this point of view is appropriate to the central idea.
d. Describe the setting and its relationship to the central idea.
e. Identify the most significant language techniques used in the story and explain how these techniques help convey the central idea.
f. Identify and analyze the tone of the story, the dominant elements contributing to tone, and the relationship of tone to the central idea.
III. Conclusion (optional)
Please expect to spend at least three hours in the testing center. If you do not complete the exam to my satisfaction, you will have to retake it.
Note: You cannot pass this course without a grade of 70 percent or higher on this paper. No revisions are allowed-- if you don't pass, you will have to return to the testing center to retake the exam. When I grade this paper, you will not receive the detailed comments like the other papers. If you want feedback, please email me and we will set up a face to face appointment to go over your paper in the learning lab.
Paper 4: Minimum Length - 1000 words--Maximum 200 points
You may choose one of the following options:
OPTION 1: Write an original short story in which each of the elements of short fiction are clearly utilized and support the central idea of the story: setting, point of view, character, language, tone, and conflict. Attach a short analysis of the story's central idea and three or more dominant elements in the story.
OPTION 2: Write an analytical paper using one of the optional short stories from the reading list (do not use a story used in another paper). In this paper, you must take one of the critical approaches discussed in your textbook: formalist, biographical, psychological, historical, feminist, etc. You also need to integrate literary terminology and at least two library sources. Please use scholarly, library sources (don't Google and use unacceptable sources like SparkNotes, Wikipedia, Shmoop, Bookrags, or other Content Farms). Utilize the ACC Library (or other libraries) to find these sources. To access online literary databases, go to the ACC Library. Next, click "Articles and Research" then go to Articles and More. Finally, click Literature and Literary Criticism to find literary biographies and analyses, as well as critical and scholarly articles. At some point, you will be prompted to type in your ACCeID and password. If you need help, Ask a Librarian.
In your outline, list at least one library source that you will be using.
OPTION 3: From the reading list, choose one of the optional short stories read prior to the due date of this paper and analyze the central idea and three or more elements of fiction. Do not choose a story used in another paper. The final draft must incorporate at least two direct quotes from the story using MLA documentation and include a Works Cited. You also need to integrate at least two library sources by researching the author's biography, historical background, or literary criticism. Please use scholarly, library sources (don't Google and use unacceptable sources like SparkNotes, Wikipedia, Shmoop, Bookrags, or other Content Farms). Utilize the ACC Library (or other libraries) to find these sources. To access online literary databases, go to the ACC Library. Next, click "Articles and Research" then go to Articles and More. Finally, click Literature and Literary Criticism to find literary biographies and analyses, as well as critical and scholarly articles. At some point, you will be prompted to type in your ACCeID and password. If you need help, Ask a Librarian.
Use the following outline to help you organize your essay.
- Introduction (Give the title of the story and the author's full name, write a brief summary, and state the central idea-- the dominant impression, the universal, generic truth found in the story).
- Choose three dominant elements to analyze in three separate paragraphs: point of view, setting, character, conflict, language, tone (see discussion of these elements in the Paper 3 and 4 guidelines).
- Conclusion: Discuss the central idea of story.
- Works Cited (in your outline, list at least one library source that you will be using).
OPTION 4: Write a comparison/contrast of any two short stories from the reading list (one must be from the optional list ). Do not use a story used previously. Please try to choose two stories with similar themes and/or structures. Your paper must include at least two direct quotes from the stories using MLA documentation. In your paper, compare and contrast the central idea of the stories, as well as three dominant elements (choose from point of view, setting, character, conflict, language, and tone). See discussion of these elements in the Paper 3 and 4 guidelines.
Use the following outline to help you organize your essay.
- Introduction (Give the titles of the stories and the authors' full names, write a brief summary of each, and state the central idea of each-- the dominant impression, the universal, generic truth found in the story).
- Choose three dominant elements to compare and contrast in at least three separate paragraphs: point of view, setting, character, conflict, language (discuss at least two language devices), and tone.
- Conclusion: Compare and contrast the central ideas of the stories.
- Works Cited (in your outline, list at least one library source that you will be using).
Note: You cannot pass this course without a grade of 70 percent or higher on this paper. Also, there is no grace period and revisions are not allowed. If you email me a rough draft of the paper within two days of the final due date, I will give you GENERAL feedback. When I grade this paper, you will not receive the detailed comments like you did for Papers 1-3. If you want feedback, please email me and we will set up a face to face appointment to go over your paper in the learning lab.
Optional: If you can get together with 1-3 other students and agree to write this paper as a group, I will allow it. If I observe a member who is causing the team difficulty by not participating adequately, not meeting deadlines for tasks, not communicating, etc., then that student will be removed from the team and asked to create a completely different paper on his or her own.
If you choose this option, I will expect to observe several activities:
1. Requesting that the teacher create a Group Folder in Blackboard.
2. Brainstorming and deciding on the topic.
3. Dividing up various responsibilities regarding the paper and setting up deadlines for each responsibility. For example, you might want to decide that one person writes the introduction and conclusion, while other members write other sections of the paper. Either way, it is a group effort. Even if one person doesn't do his or her share, you are all still responsible for the final product. (I will deal with the person who is not contributing and you can certainly alert me to that fact as well.)
4. Constructing an outline for the paper and choosing one person to submit the final outline to the instructor (with the names of all students in the group in the body of the email).
5. Putting together a rough draft for the paper that everyone proofreads and comments on.
6. Collaborating and communicating in a respectful manner throughout the process.
7. Submitting the final paper and choosing one person to submit to the instructor (with the names of all students in the group in the heading).
If you have any questions or concerns about this option, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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Created by Becky Villarreal Austin Community College 2001