Writing Across Curriculums Assignment: Critical Analysis Essay ENGL255 Prof. Glassford ENGL255 requires students to submit a 1200-word writing assignment that relates to the course material and content. In lieu of a traditional “research paper,” you will write a critical analysis of a work by any author we have covered this semester. If you choose, you may write on a different text than what we’ve discussed in class, as long as we’ve covered the author. A critical literary analysis involves critical thinking on a topic, not just research and summary. For this essay, you are evaluating a literary work using a critical approach. You are not giving an author biography, a book report, a history of the text, or diagnosing a character. You may use one of the following critical approaches to analyze your work: • Historical Criticism • Biographical Criticism • Feminist/Gender Criticism • Psychoanalytical Criticism • Reader-Response Criticism • Deconstruction Criticism Think back to your ENGL152 course for reference on each of these schools of thought. Be sure that you understand the type of criticism you’ll be using before deciding! If you are unsure or need help brainstorming, please visit the writing center. The first step in this process will be a brief, 1-paragraph topic proposal. This proposal must include the following items: • Scope of the project (work of your choosing and which part) • School of criticism • A brief explanation of how you will use this school of thought in relation to the text • A works cited page that includes your work and 2 scholarly articles/books o YOU ARE NOT TO USE MORE THAN TWO OUTSIDE SOURCES! The topic proposal is due Tuesday, November 3. I will have your topics approved by the following Friday. After your topic is approved, you can begin working on the essay itself. The final draft of your essay must include/address the following criteria: • No less than 1200 words! (about 4-5 pages) • Present an original, thoughtful thesis • Incorporate evidence from the primary text and secondary texts to support your argument • Utilize clean, proper grammar & mechanics • MLA Format • Double-spaced, 1-inch margins, size 12 Times font • Formal, academic tone • Commentary is original, creative, and insightful Use of the writing center is strongly advised! As per usual, up to 5 points extra credit can be awarded to the final paper grade if you visit the writing center. You cannot make an appointment with the instructor for the course! (Please be sure to mention this if you call and schedule). This assignment is worth 20% of your final grade! Please be thoughtful and take your time when writing – avoid waiting until the night before to complete the assignment! The final draft is due no later than Tuesday November 24 by the start of class! No late papers will be accepted. If I receive your essay after the deadline, it will receive a grade of zero. If you cannot attend class, please email me your essay by 12:30pm on the due date, or arrange to have a classmate drop it off for you. You have more than enough time to complete the project. Extenuating circumstances must be discussed with me in person prior to the deadline. Please also remember that your presentations at the end of the semester will be based on this essay. More details will follow with presentation guidelines.