literary argument essay
Microsoft Word - LIT 1000 FINAL ESSAY GUIDELINES.docx LIT 1000 FINAL LITERARY RESEARCH ARGUMENT THIS IS A THREE-PAGE DOCUMENT. READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT!! ASSIGNMENT Write a 1,500 to 2,000-word (4 to 6 pages) literary argument essay on one or more of the works we have read this semester. You may choose any genre of literature as the basis for your essay. Your essay will center on a central thesis about the work(s) you have chosen, in which you examine a particular element of literature and show its application in the chosen work. See the next page for more information and ideas on creating a thesis. REQUIREMENTS Your essay MUST: • follow MLA format for appearance and citations • follow the college essay format for organization • have a complete argumentative thesis • use at least two scholarly sources PLUS the work/works being analyzed • be a MINIMUM of 1,500 words in length and not longer than 2,500 words • be largely free of errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage. DUE DATE Essays are due to the drop box at 11:59 pm on THE DATE LISTED ON YOUR SYLLABUS LATE ESSAYS WILL NOTE BE ACCEPTED LIT 1000 Writing a Literary Research Argument A literary argument is a paper in which you take a position about one or more works of literature and support your position with references from the text and quotes from literary critics. SAMPLE ARGUMENT SUBJECTS A literary argument takes a fact from a work or works of literature and turns the fact into an arguable topic. FACT: In “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona,” two Native Americans travel to pick up the ashes of one man’s father. ARGUMENT: Victor and Thomas’ journey in “This Is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona” can be viewed as a traditional quest narrative, because Victor is seeking redemption in his relationships with not only his father, but with Thomas and his own Indian heritage. FACT: Robert Frost uses a traditional rhyme scheme in his poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” ARGUMENT: Robert Frost’s use of a traditional rhyme scheme in “Nothing Gold Can Stay” reinforces the poem’s central theme of the unchanging rhythm of natural life. RULES FOR LITERARY ARGUMENTS - focus on a single aspect of one or more works, NOTE attempt to analyze the work as a whole. - be arguable – that is, someone must be able to disagree with your assessment - be supported by quotes from the text - be supported by quotes/ideas from literary scholars - follow the college essay format for thesis and development - be largely free of errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling. FINDING LITERARY SCHOLARSHIP 1. VISIT THE POLK STATE LIBRARY AND CLICK ON “DATABASES” USER I D= your Polk State student ID number PASSWORD= the last four digits of the student ID number 2. Click on the SUBJECT tab, then click on the LITERATURE link 3. Select the database entitled LITERARY REFERENCE CENTER PLUS 4. ENTER YOUR SEARCH TERMS, including: the name of the author, the name of the literary work, and the aspect of the work you will address. SAMPLE SEARCH TERMS: Frost AND “The Mending Wall” AND imagery Hamlet AND characterization AND Ophelia 5. IF YOU GET NOT RESULTS, make your search terms LESS SPECIFIC. For example: Poetry AND Imagery Drama AND chorus This way, you can find support that while not directly related to the work, is directly related to the element of literature you are discussing. 6. USE THE CLASS RESOUCES! Embedded librarian Kristen Jernigan is waiting to help you with research. Don’t hesitate to reach out; she can be contacted through the class email list.