Below are the requirements for your second essay. Adhering to these criteria will help you to do well on this essay. You will also need clear, intelligent thinking and writing. Not following the criteria will ensure that you receive lower than a C. For further explanation about your evaluation on this essay, read my website on criteria for evaluating college essays. Choose one short story by Joyce Carol Oates, and write an essay of at least twelve hundred words in which you create an argument that supports your thesis. In your argument, which will include analysis and interpretation, feel free to mention other stories that have similar themes, but focus on the one piece. In your introduction, name the author and the story (put the title in quotation marks), briefly summarize its plot (no more than three sentences), and create a thesis statement. Your thesis, an opinion, provides your interpretation of what you believe Ms. Oates is saying about the topic you’ve chosen for this story. Because it drives the argument, the thesis should be clear and specific. In addition, make sure that it has an edge to it. That is, don’t make the thesis a statement that is so obvious the reader of the paper might say, “Oh, sure, I know that. Anyone who has read the story knows that.” At the same time, don’t be outlandish with the thesis. Whatever it states, you must be able to prove with evidence from the story and logical reasoning. For further information about a thesis, refer to my website; it will explain--and illustrate--how you are to create an appropriate thesis statement for an essay about literature. Choose a SINGLE character from the story to support your thesis. Analyze that character according to his or her motives, goals, ethics, development, beliefs, etc. Discuss whether that character is convincing or not, if the character develops or remains static throughout the story, if the motivation for the character's actions are strong or weak, if the character is consistent or not. Whatever you say about this character should provide links--and support--to your thesis. Obviously, you will have to mention other characters, but focus on one. Use selected quotations from the story and summaries of scenes to prove your points. But do not re-tell the story. Analyze it. A good guide is that for each sentence of summary, you should have two-to-three sentences of analysis. Comment about the writer's style. Discuss the writer's use of point of view, dialogue, description, imagery, figurative language, slang, formality, construction of plot, and whatever else you deem appropriate. Be careful here. Don't just create a shopping list of this writer's stylistic characteristics. Rather, you should explain how that style fits the content of the story. Remember that form often reflects content. Use THREE sources from literary criticism outside your textbook to support your views. These sources should reflect the views of critics who either agree or disagree with your interpretation. Use brief, selected quotations to represent the views of these sources. Make sure that the sources relate to your thesis--and that you simply don't use them to fulfill a requirement. Do not use other fiction or poetry, and, despite the temptation, avoid any biographical material about Ms. Oates. Integrate these sources smoothly into your text, and comment on them. Cite your sources with the standard in-text and works cited MLA format that you learned in English 111—and that you can find on my website. Remember that you are writing an argument. That is, you are compiling evidence and connecting it through logic to support your thesis. In doing this, you will use analysis and interpretation. Toward the end of the essay, you can also feel free to evaluate the piece. However, the essay is not meant to merely summarize what the author says. Merely summarizing the story will earn you a D at best. Rather, I want a consistent, convincing argument that your way of viewing the story and its theme is a valid reading of the text. Proofread your essay. Grammar and spelling do count. No more than 15% of your essay should appear in direct quotations. This essay must be typed. Follow standard procedure with the format. That is, double-space the text and type on one side of the page. Use a twelve-point pitch font. Bind the paper with a paperclip, not staples. Consult your syllabus for the date that the essay is due--and for the late date and the consequences of your turning in the essay late. Good Luck!