1. Length and Formatting: Essay should be 4- 5 pages (minimum of 4 pages); double-spaced and
typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, and the margins should be 1″. Use MLA style of
formatting and documentation. Give your paper a title. That title should be formulated with care; it
should suggest your main argument or focus.
2. Quotations: There is no reason for extensive quotation unless you are going to offer a step-by-step
analysis of the lines that you present. But, you must quote and provide evidence for your argument
from all texts used. Your paper should not be padded out with filler. Every word should count.
3. Plagiarism: Be very careful and avoid plagiarism. This is your final work and there will be no
opportunities to explain or retract errors that may or may not be intentional.
4. Language: Pay attention to tense, grammar, punctuation, and transitions. Remember, this is a formal
critical essay, not a plot summary or informal writing. Be concise in your analysis.
A. CHOOSE one of the following questions and use at least one secondary/ scholarly journal essay
to support your argument. While you can use any of the journal essays etc we used in class, you
want to make sure that the supporting secondary/journal essay used in your work is critical and
comprehensive to give your argument depth. Note: a newspaper or blog opinion piece is not a
scholarly text. If you use any such text, remember to also engage significantly with additional
critical research in developing your argument- this also applies if you use Chimamanda
Adichie’s Ted Talk on Feminism or the “The Danger of a Single Story”.
B. In your exam essay, write the full question you are responding to and name the presentation at
the top after the title of your essay.
C. Write a mature, fresh, and well-crafted paper.
“Though they moved to America to find a better life as a couple and as a family, both Jende and Neni are inevitably affected by the way America shapes their personal identities. What are some the ways they change as individuals over the course of the novel? How does their marriage change? Do you feel this is for the better or worse? How does it speak largely to the way America’s ideals affect the members of its society?” (Mbue 396) Be sure to use specific examples from the novel and ideas from a
secondary/scholarly essay(s) to support your argument. Avoid plot summary.