Essay #2--English 244--Robert Brunner

For the second essay, I want you to focus on a writer from the Victorian Era (but not Thomas Hardy--at least not his fiction). If the writer works in prose, I want you to choose one or two works (I always think that one is better for your focus) by that writer and create a thesis statement that reflects what you believe is a major theme that runs through the work. If the writer is a poet, I want you to read at least a dozen of his or her poems, then choose one or two (one is better) and focus on a central theme that runs through the work. As in the first essay, this should be an interpretative/argumentative essay of a minimum of one thousand words; that is, someone who has read the material should be able to disagree with you. Your thesis should be supported by quotations from the works you've chosen. However, no more than 15% of your essay should appear in quotation marks. The remainder of the essay is your analysis of how the works fit into that thesis. In other words, use critical thinking to argue that your interpretation of the works is valid. Do not just summarize an essay or paraphrase a poem. Nor should you discuss the writer's biography, regardless of how important you think it is to the work. You do not need to use outside sources for this essay, but if you do, you must document them according to standard MLA practices as discussed in class and in the Diana Hacker book The Bedford Handbook, which all of our English Composition classes use. If you use outside sources, do not use the Bible, other fiction or poetry, and insignificant websites like Spark Notes. In your essay, be sure to discuss the writer's style, the literary devices he or she uses--and how they complement the theme of the work you've chosen. Format of the Essay In writing your essay, I want you to adhere to the standard format for manuscripts; that is, type the paper, and be sure to double-space it; please be kind to my aging eyes and use a twelve-pitch font. A readable text is important, so don't rely on a weak ink cartridge. In the upper lefthand corner of the first page, include your name, English 244, Essay #2, and the writer you've chosen. Be certain to create a title for the paper that connects with the thesis. On the second and succeeding pages, include your last name and the page number (Alvarez 2, Alvarez 3, etc.) in the upper right hand corner.  For additional hints about how to write a paper about literature, visit my website. Remember not to waste a great deal of time summarizing poems or essays. Rather, your focus is on analysis of the works.  As a general guideline, you should include two-to three sentences of analysis for each sentence of summary. If you do little more than summarize the works, you will earn no higher than a "D." I want to know what you think about this work, how you interpret it, and how you evaluate it. As long as you are willing to support your points with evidence from the text, don't hesitate to say "I think." Do the best you can with this paper. No one can ask more of you. Due Date The due date for the essay, along with the late date, is listed on the syllabus. Good luck. Return to English 244