The Chattanooga Campaign: Death of the Confederacy

The Chattanooga Campaign: Death of the Confederacy

Choose one of these questions to write about? When writing the paper it should be obvious from your paper which question you’re addressing.  When you answer these questions, you can assume I am familiar with the stories and that you do not have to summarize the plot for me.

o             Compare two of the short stories we’ve read.  Which one is the “better” story?  What criteria are you using and how does one story fit that criteria better than the other?

o             Do you see common ideas or themes running through two or more of the short stories we’ve read?  If so, what are they? Illustrate them using the stories you’re discussing.

o             If you had to choose only one of the stories we’ve read to teach to a class, which one would it be?  What are you trying to accomplish with that story and why is the story you’ve chosen the best one to accomplish that goal?

o             Take a short passage from one of the stories we’ve read and re-write it using a different point of view.  For example, if it’s in third person, shift it to first or visa versa.  Or, tell the scene from a different character’s point of view (one who is already in the scene–don’t change the basic plot of the story). Then, comment on what happens to the story when the point of view shifts. What changes? For the better or worse?  What insight did you get about why the author might have chosen the point of view he or she did?

o             A character sketch is simply a written portrait of what a character is like. Choose one of the stories we’ve read, and write a character sketch of one of the characters. Remember that when you talk about an element of literature, you should use the vocabulary associated with that element.  Also—we learn about who characters are by: A.  What they say B. What they do C. What other character say about them/how they react to them D. What the narrator/author says about the character.

o             A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or creates a range of associations beyond itself.  In literary works, a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning.  Choose one of the short stories we’ve read and discuss how a symbol in that story functions—what does it reveal about the character(s) or the meaning of the story as whole?

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of your short papers will be worth 40 points and will be graded on exactly the same rubric.  The idea is for you to be able to practice your analytical and writing skills while getting feedback from me.

This is the rubric I will use:

Content: This is basically about your thought process and analytical skills. How well thought out is your argument?  How well developed? Have you answered the question? Have you made an argument rather than summarized the story?              10 points

Use of Evidence: You should have direct evidence from the text, properly embedded and cited. There should be enough to support your argument, but your paper should not be made up most of quotations. Support should be a mix of paraphrases and quotations.      10 points

Formatting: This involves two major things: A.  MLA formatting: double spacing, correct heading, page numbers, etc. B.  Structure of an essay: Strong, clear thesis, strong title, strong topic sentences, good conclusion, etc.       10 points

Grammar/Mechanics/Usage:  Everyone’s favorite. Be sure to proofread and ask about anything you’re unsure about.   10 points

Total      40 points

 

 

• Stories to choose from;

o             Samuel- Grace Paley

o             Popular Mechanics- Raymond Carver

o             Pillow Talk- Alasdair Gray

o             Harrison Bergeron- Kurt Vonnegut

o             The Cask of Amontillado- Edgar Allen Poe

o             A Rose for Emily- William Faulker

o             Two Kinds- Amy Tan

o             The Veil- MarjaneSatrapi

o             A Jury of her Peers- Susan Glaspell

o             Jim- Roberto Bolano

o             Girl- Jamaica Kincaid

o             Orientation- Daniel Orozco

o             A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings- Gabriel Marquez

o             The Story of an Hour- Kate Chopin