In this course we have explored the many meanings which literature may have for us as well as literary themes, elements, and techniques common to the forms of the short story, poetry, and drama. In class discussions and written assignments, you have also had opportunities to reflect on your individual feelings, responses, and ideas about a number of literary works.
The Final Paper is intended as an exercise in bringing together, or synthesizing, your reflections on literature and your understandings of the course material. This is a comparative paper which analyzes two to three literary works from the course readings which share a common theme. The paper should be organized by a thesis (argument), which is the main point of the entire essay. When developing a thesis for a comparative paper, consider how a comparison of the works provides deeper insight into the topic of your paper. In other words, think about why you have chosen to look at these particular works in relation to one another. In your analysis, also consider the relationships among content, form, and style. For example, how are the ways in which themes and ideas are represented and communicated relevant to your reading experience and to the work as a whole?
You may choose from any of the topics and works listed at the end of this assignment description. (Please note that many of the listed themes relate to more than three works - please limit yourself to only two to three of the texts. Doing so will allow you to give ample attention to each literary work you are analyzing.) Though the possible topics for the assignment are given below, what you say about the significance of the theme is up to you.
The Final Paper must be eight to ten pages long and include an original title, an introduction with a thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Remember that the thesis statement should answer the question "so what?" (What is important about the argument you are making? What meaning or value might it have to your reader and/or to society?) Also, be sure that your argument is supported by textual details and analysis. You may find it useful as you begin your analysis to review the literary concepts and analytical approaches covered in class.
You may choose from the following topics:
- The representation of race/ethnicity (Gordimer's "Country Lovers," Walker's "The Welcome Table," Smith's "What It's Like to Be a Black Girl," Morales's "Child of the Americas")
- The representation of gender roles and/or marriage (Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," Bernard's I'm Going, Chopin's "The Story of an Hour," de Mauppassant's "The Necklace," Chechov's The Proposal, Gordimer's "The Country Lovers")
- Creativity and the creative process (Neruda's Poetry, Ferlinghetti's "Constantly Risking Absurdity," Collins' "You, Reader")
- The representation of death and impermanence (Updike's "Dog's Death," Rhys's "I Used to Live Here Once," Dubus's "A Father's Story," Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night," Frost's "Nothing Gold Can Stay," Tennyson's "In Memoriam," Dickinson's "Because I Could Not Stop for Death")
- The representation of nature (Oliver's "Wild Geese," Arnold's "Dover Beach," Tennyson's "The Oak," Frost's "The Path Not Taken")
- The symbolism of the journey (Frost's "The Path Not Taken," Welty's "A Worn Path," Rhys's "I Used to Live Here Once")
In addition to the course text, you must use at least five scholarly resources to support your thesis.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
- Must be a minimum of eight (8) double-spaced pages in length (excluding the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA (6th ed.) style as outlined in the approved style guide.
- Must use a minimum of five (s) scholarly resources, Must address one of the topics found in Final Paper guidelines.
- Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
- Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
- Must use APA (6th ed.) style as outlined in the approved APA style guide to document all sources.
- Must include a Reference Page that is completed according to APA (6th ed.) style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.