Posted: September 13th, 2017

The Discovery of What It Means To Be An American Short Story Analysis

The Discovery of What It Means To Be An American Short Story Analysis

Your first formal essay assignment of this semester will involve writing a short story analysis that will be
at least 4-5 double-spaced typed pages. (See “Formal Essay Guidelines” handout for essay policies and
formatting.) Carefully read the story and the topic you’ve selected a few times and plan out your ideas in a
rough outline prior to writing your first draft. Feel free to discuss your ideas and drafts with me. Also, go
to the Writing/Reading Lab to get some assistance on your essay.
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ESSAY TOPIC
In literary terms, the “conflict” of a story’s plot is represented as two opposing forces (man vs. man,
man vs. self, man vs. society or an element of society, or man vs. nature) that revolve around the main
character and drive the events of the story forward. Whatever the case may be, the story’s “conflict” is
represented as a dilemma or concern (sometimes known as the “theme”) that is conveyed within the
story and reinforced through the story’s characters, details, and other elements.
Select one of the stories below. In an essay of at least 4-5 pages (8-10 paragraphs minimum), identify
a dilemma/concern that the story conveys, and discuss how the characters, details, and other
elements help to illustrate and reinforce the issue/dilemma you have identified.
Choose only one of the following stories in Vintage Baldwin Reader (Baldwin) or from The Ways of
White Folks (Hughes) for your short story analysis:
– “Sonny’s Blues”
-“The Discovery of What It Means To Be An American”
– “My Dungeon Shook”
– “Home”
– “Slave on the Black”
“Cora Unshamed”
– “Passing”
– “A Good Job Done”
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Your final draft will be graded on the following:
1)  an effective introduction with a developed grabber, transition idea, and thesis
2) an original and clear thesis statement
3) an effective conclusion that wraps up your main argument and leaves the reader with a lasting
thought
4) accurate use of examples/details/specifics/quotes/etc. from the short story
5)  insight and sophistication shown in your analysis and explanations of the information you’ve
used as evidence (Show in-depth thinking! Avoid restating facts and what is already known.)
6) development and completeness of your supporting ideas in a minimum of 4 body paragraphs (Be
sure to explain your ideas/points fully.)
7) unity of ideas (All your information and ideas must stay focused on the concern/issue you have
conveyed in your thesis. Also, information you use in your body paragraphs must always support
your major supporting ideas.)
8)  coherence (Ideas and information in your essay and within your paragraphs must all be
linked/connected for a smooth flow. This also means transitioning and leading smoothly your use
of quotes.)
9)  organization (Ideas and evidence must follow a logical organizational pattern.)
10) clarity of ideas and presentation (Word usage, sentence meaning, logic, and so on must be
absolutely clear.)
11) spelling, mechanics, grammar, sentence structure and variety, and formatting aspects (Your
essay should be error-free and should follow college-level academic essay guidelines. Get help
from a tutor, friend, parent, etc. to learn how to identify and correct your sentence-level weaknesses.
Also, follow required college-level essay standards.)
12) an original and creative title for your essay
13) a correct and accurate Works Cited page (using MLA format/standards—Review your notes and
samples of Works Cited pages. Also, refer to the MLA standards web link given on the class
webpage.)

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