Literature

 

Literature

Synder combines storytelling, technical instruction, polemic, poetry, and philosophy into a dense essay on ancient forests. How and when does he switch

from one mode to another. What links them together?
Momaday’s uses the same symbolic language to discuss his grandmother and the land. How is this account of his elders and generational knowledge like

Snyder’s?
Propose your own topic. You must discuss this option with me during my office hours.

Your essays must have a thesis statement clearly identifiable in the first paragraph of your text. This statement should explain what you are arguing

and how you are going to prove your argument. Think of it as a roadmap for the reader. The thesis creates expectations that must be fulfilled in the

body of your essay. Do not make general, universal statements based on hearsay or common opinions. Rather, make a claim grounded on the words, images,

characters, themes, concepts, plotlines, or ideas present in the text before you.

The body of your essay should be composed of several paragraphs. In each paragraph, you will give specific examples from the original text to support

your argument. When you cite, make sure you explain thoroughly the citation (i.e. its meaning) and connect this citation to your argument. As a general

rule of thumb, for every sentence you cite, you must write a sentence of your own explaining it. In other words, do not use citations to fill up space.

Make them count. Furthermore, make sure you introduce your citations by integrating them into your own sentence—avoid dangling quotes.

Consider the following example: “In his forward to Joseph Meeker’s The Comedy of Survival, Konrad Lorenz concurs with Meeker’s view that “a morality

which encourages man to detach himself from his animal origins and to regard all nature as subject to him does not offer our best hopes for the

future.” Note how the writer integrates Lorenz’s citation into his own sentence.

Your conclusion should summarize all that was said. However, a good conclusion also points to the future: to some aspect of your argument that has not

been resolved or that could be taken up in a forthcoming essay. Consider the conclusion a challenge to further develop your thinking.

Always double-space your writing and use one-inch margins. Always use Times New Roman 12-point font.

Follow the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style for citations, punctuation, works cited, etc.

 

 

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