“Choose one of the following topics to analyze for the critical essay. For this assignment you will need to build an argument around your interpretation of a text or texts. Be sure to include specific quotations from play(s), etc. And explain why the quotation is important. What does it say? How is it connected to your argument? Below are the things that I look for when grading a paper, so it is a good idea to review them as you write the paper.”
– Does the paper respond to the prompt?
– Does the paper have a thesis statement that is supported with examples from the text? Remember that a thesis makes an argument not an observation. Thus, without a thesis statement, a paper cannot make argument.
– Does the paper begin with a captivating introduction? Your thesis statement should come near the end of the introductory paragraph.
– Does the paper use a topic sentence for each paragraph that links the paragraph back to the thesis for the paper?
– How does the author of the paper use textual evidence? Are quotations introduced, or are examples and quotations dropped into the paper without the author explaining how/why the quotation is significant?
– Does the paper use proper MLA parenthetical citation format?
– Does the paper summarize rather than persuade?
– Does the paper include many usage errors (typos, spelling, grammatical errors)? Proofread your paper carefully. Reading the paper out loud can be a way of catching errors. It can be difficult to follow your argument when there are significant usage errors.
– Remember that when you refer to the persona in the poem, you are referring to the speaker in the poem (the speaker does x, y, z . . .).
– Include a Works Cited page for this paper.
Choose one of the following topics:
1) Discuss how the theme of “truth and justice” in The Tempest. How is “truth and justice” defined in the play? Is “truth and justice” associated with a particular character or characters? Quotations should come from the print version of the play that was assigned.
2) Compare the theme of “truth and justice” in The Tempest and Antigone. Consider that both of these works are plays and both works prominently feature family relationships. Quotations should come from the print version of the plays that were assigned.