Paper Two: Critical Analysis
A Researched Application of A Method of Criticism
to One Text
Due October 24
Requirements:
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A five-seven page, typed, double-spaced essay.
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You use at least one outside source (piece of criticism, theory, historical
background, etc.) in the course of your argument for either support or
counterargument.
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You focus on one literary work that we have read in 101, examining how
it has been/could be approached by one method of literary criticism.
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You display your knowledge of the chosen methodology/theory by applying
it to the text and/or by analyzing its application by other critics.
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Consult the MLA Handbook for help with the composition and format,
especially in constructing the Works Cited.
Suggestions:
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You may base your analysis on what critics in the field have already done
with this work and the particular approach that you have chosen or you
may create your own application(s) of that methodology. Either way,
you must come up with your own original thesis about the text (and potentially
about the efficacy of the approach).
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Some of the more obscure or recent texts that you might choose may not
have a whole body of criticism out there that includes every possible methodology.
In such cases, you may want to use a theoretical or historical text as
your source (depending on the methodology) or a work of literary criticism
that deals with the same issue but from a different perspective/method
as the outside support/counter-support for your own application/analysis
of the text.
Objectives:
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You acquire a familiarity with various approaches to literary criticism
and scholarship.
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You have a chance to exercise the skills and knowledge you have acquired
so far in composition, literary research, interpretation and the analysis
of literary theory.