Literary Studies Writing Assignment Composition Using research skills, interpretive modes, and writing styles appropriate for literary studies, you can evaluate textual evidence and interpret ideas relative to a topic in order to educate the reader, urge the reader to consider your perspectives, participate in dialogue about literature, and ultimately contribute to the body of knowledge. Objectives This assignment assesses your mastery of the Literary Studies Learning Unit objectives: • Identify literary elements • Analyze and interpret literature • Communicate literary interpretations through writing Writing Process 1. Complete all lessons in the Literary Studies Learning Unit 2. Complete the Peer Review assignment before the deadline 3. Revise and finalize 4. Submit electronic copy to eCampus and www.turnitin.com before the deadline Areas of Emphasis Literary elements, argumentation, interpretation, and proper formatting. Format This letter shall be word processed in MS Word file format, utilizing a minimum of 400 words and a maximum of 600 words (two-three pages double spaced), formatted according to MLA guidelines presented in the Learning Unit Lessons. Since this paper represents your interpretation of literature, use the primary source only and include this one entry on your Works Cited page. Submission Submit an electronic copy of your paper in MS Word file format under the following title: Last Name-First Name-Literary Studies (e.g. Smith-John-Literary Studies) to www. turnitin.com and eCampus by clicking the “Submit Assignments” button. Penalties Letters will be rejected without grading in the following cases: • Plagiarized text • Does not address the topic/objectives • Late or missing submission to eCampus and/or www.turnitin.com • Incorrectly formatted (incorrect file and/or rhetorical form) Topics Traditional Students: Topic A: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive Huck, Dorax seems quite different than the other sheep dogs on the ranch. What makes him different and how does this difference define his character? Does this symbolize anything? Topic B: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck uses many tropes such as symbols, similes, metaphors, and irony. Choose one of these tropes and evaluate her use of this trope. Does this trope work well or does her trope need improvement? For example, Dorax is blamed for killing sheep, but he is protecting sheep and the ranchers. What does this situational irony mean? Topic C: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” how does Olive Huck capture the local color of Texas in the early twentieth century? What does this mean for the story? Traditional and SAGE Student Topics: Topic A: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive Huck captures the ranching life of Texas. How can this story help urban readers underst ...

1. Literary Studies Writing
Assignment
Composition
Using research skills, interpretive modes, and writing styles
appropriate for literary studies,
you can evaluate textual evidence and interpret ideas relative to
a topic in order to educate
the reader, urge the reader to consider your perspectives,
participate in dialogue about
literature, and ultimately contribute to the body of knowledge.
Objectives
This assignment assesses your mastery of the Literary Studies
Learning Unit objectives:
• Identify literary elements
• Analyze and interpret literature
• Communicate literary interpretations through writing
Writing Process
1. Complete all lessons in the Literary Studies Learning Unit
2. Complete the Peer Review assignment before the deadline
3. Revise and finalize
4. Submit electronic copy to eCampus and www.turnitin.com
before the deadline
Areas of Emphasis
Literary elements, argumentation, interpretation, and proper
formatting.

2. Format
This letter shall be word processed in MS Word file format,
utilizing a minimum of 400
words and a maximum of 600 words (two-three pages double
spaced), formatted
according to MLA guidelines presented in the Learning Unit
Lessons.
Since this paper represents your interpretation of literature, use
the primary source only
and include this one entry on your Works Cited page.
Submission
Submit an electronic copy of your paper in MS Word file format
under the following title:
Last Name-First Name-Literary Studies (e.g. Smith-John-
Literary Studies) to www.
turnitin.com and eCampus by clicking the “Submit
Assignments” button.
Penalties
Letters will be rejected without grading in the following cases:
• Plagiarized text
• Does not address the topic/objectives
• Late or missing submission to eCampus and/or
www.turnitin.com
• Incorrectly formatted (incorrect file and/or rhetorical form)
Topics

3. Traditional Students:
Topic A: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive
Huck, Dorax seems quite
different than the other sheep dogs on the ranch. What makes
him different and how does
this difference define his character? Does this symbolize
anything?
Topic B: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive
Huck uses many tropes such as
symbols, similes, metaphors, and irony. Choose one of these
tropes and evaluate her use of
this trope. Does this trope work well or does her trope need
improvement? For example,
Dorax is blamed for killing sheep, but he is protecting sheep
and the ranchers. What does
this situational irony mean?
Topic C: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” how does
Olive Huck capture the local
color of Texas in the early twentieth century? What does this
mean for the story?
Traditional and SAGE Student Topics:
Topic A: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax,” Olive
Huck captures the ranching life
of Texas. How can this story help urban readers understand
nature, Texas ranching, or
ranching life?
Topic B: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive
Huck, Dorax meets a tragic

4. end. How does his death represent the conflict between
industry, symbolized by the
rancher’s firearm, and nature, symbolized by Dorax himself?
Topic C: In the short story “The Last Hunt of Dorax” by Olive
Huck presents a domesticated
dog who “consorts” with a wolf pack and seemingly leads them
to the sheep but turns to
defend the sheep once the pack begins the hunt. What does this
mean?
NLC English Department Literary Studies Paper Rubric
CRITERIA
Excellent
(18-20 points)
Proficient
(16-17 points)
Satisfactory
(14-15 points)
Unsatisfactory
( 12-13 points)
Deficient
(0-12 points)

5. Thesis
Engaging opening
that introduces
the paper’s topic,
a problem,
research
question,
purpose, and
method for
writing; the thesis
is an easily
identifiable, well-
phrased
argument that
assesses
literature and
addresses a
specific idea to be
explored and
argued; the thesis
reflects sound
critical,
interpretive, and
analytical
thinking; title and
author of work
are appropriately
identified.
Generally
engaging
opening; areas to
be strengthened
may include
presentation of

6. general topic,
development of
transition
between general
opening and
specific thesis
statement; thesis
statement is
phrased as an
argument but
may be
strengthened
through
clarification of
the main idea
being offered and
purpose.
Opening is
functional but too
brief and/or
simplistic; topic is
apparent but needs
to be developed to
engage the reader;
weak sense of
purpose and claim;
paragraph topics
are vague or
disconnected from
the thesis; thesis
may be too general,
vague, or
imprecisely
presented; thesis
may not directly

7. address the prompt.
Opening is
ineffective, poorly
organized, and
underdeveloped;
thesis statement
may summarize plot
points rather than
present argument
about text or may
be missing; thesis
may not address the
prompt or a viable
topic; author and/or
title of text may not
be referenced
properly.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Development
Each paragraph
clearly connects
to the thesis and
offers
identifiable, well-
phrased ideas to
be fully argued in
each paragraph;
concrete details
are well-chosen
and incorporated

8. in the body
paragraphs;
paragraphs are
well-organized to
create a
coherent,
carefully
developed and
supported
argument;
transitions
between ideas
are logical and
each idea builds
on the preceding.
Each paragraph
generally
connects to the
thesis but one or
more main ideas
may need to be
clarified; concrete
details are
generally well-
chosen though
some may be
irrelevant or
insufficient as
evidence to
effectively
support the thesis
and/or
paragraph;
paragraphs are
generally well-

9. organized,
although some
transitions may
be awkward;
focus and control
of argument may
need
improvement
because the point
of a paragraph
Supporting ideas
within body
paragraphs are
present but weak in
one or more
following areas:
main idea not
discernible, a fact
about the text is
summarized, and/or
unclear connections
to thesis
exist. Concrete
details are present
but weak because
they provide
insufficient
evidence to support
the body paragraph
and/or lack
insightful
inference. Lack of
coherent
organization of
ideas within

10. paragraphs; abrupt
transitions that
impede flow.
Topic sentences
absent or
consistently lack
focused ideas,
either offering
general, irrelevant
comments or stating
facts about the text;
there is no
discernible
argument or point
guiding the paper;
concrete details are
absent or
ineffective/
insufficient;
consistent lack of
coherent
organization of
ideas within
paragraphs and
from one paragraph
to the next; points
of paragraphs are
unclear.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.

11. may not always
be clear.
Literary
Interpretation
Writing
demonstrates
analysis, critique,
and interpretative
functions;
inferences are
well developed so
that all claims and
points made are
well-supported
and persuasive;
focuses on both
thematic and
stylistic elements
of examined
literature;
demonstrates
writer’s ability to
interpret the
function of
literary devices in
the service of
thematic
meaning;
appropriate
balance of quotes
to writer's
commentary;
writer is clearly
engaged with and

12. moved by his/her
thinking process
and philosophy.
Writing generally
reflects a critical,
analytical, and
interpretative
understanding of
the text but is
uneven or vague;
inferences
demonstrate
interpretive
ability but could
be developed
further to better
explain
significance of
detail and
support thesis;
some claims may
be vague,
generalized, or
lacking in
support; analysis
could be stronger
through focus on
stylistic elements
that create
thematic
meaning; some
imbalance of
quotes and
writer's analysis.

13. Writing
demonstrates basic
comprehension, but
not a critical,
analytical, or
interpretive
understanding, as
reflected by the
following:
interpretive analysis
inconsistent or
unsubstantiated;
frequent summary
of plot; writer
restates the content
of cited sources
rather than draws
significant
inferences about
sub-textual
meaning; little or no
analysis of how
stylistic elements of
the text create
meaning. Writing
weakened by
frequent
generalizations,
unsupported claims,
assumptions, vague
statements.
Writing

14. demonstrates some
awareness of
literary details but
not a critical or
analytical
understanding of
the text; points
made are vague and
unsubstantiated;
plot summary is
present; no literary
interpretation
present.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Language &
Style
Paper reflects an
argumentative
mode of writing
appropriate for
the topic; it is
academic in tone;
writer's voice is
evident,
confident, and
sophisticated;
vocabulary and
phrasing are
academically
appropriate,
persuasive, and

15. sophisticated
without being
pretentious.
Writing is
generally
academic in tone;
writer’s voice
may not be
consistently
persuasive but is
discernible;
writing
demonstrates an
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary in
some places may
be simplistic or
ineffective.
Writing tends to be
mechanical in tone;
writer’s voice is not
discernible in the
paper; writing
demonstrates
inconsistent
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary tends to
be simplistic,
marked by
instances of

16. informal or
imprecise diction.
Writing is
mechanical in tone;
writer’s voice is not
discernible; writing
demonstrates no
awareness of the
purpose to
persuade;
vocabulary is
simplistic and/or
inappropriate.
Fails to fulfill the
requirements of the
assignment.
Grammar &
Mechanics
Paper includes
sentence variety;
effective syntax
and grammar;
demonstrates a
mastery of
writing
conventions and
Paper’s sentences
generally
effective but may
lack appropriate
variety (some

17. repeated opening
words and
structure); syntax
Essay sentences lack
variety (frequently
repeated opening
words and sentence
structure); awkward
syntax and
grammar confuse
writer’s point and
Frequent syntax,
grammar, and
misspelling errors
that distract the
reader; lack of
adherence to MLA
guidelines which
undermines the
No adherence to
MLA guidelines
(missing citations,
lack of proper
format); missing
Works Cited page;
paper is
incomprehensible.
serves the
author’s purpose;
consistent

18. adherence to
MLA guidelines;
accurate Works
Cited page;
absence of
grammar, syntax,
and punctuation
errors.
and grammar
may be awkward
in places (but not
distracting); a few
grammar and
mechanical errors
(but not
distracting);
consistent
adherence to
MLA guidelines;
accurate Works
Cited page.
distract reader;
misspellings,
contractions,
fragments, referring
to “you” which
diminishes the
academic nature of
the writing;
inconsistent
adherence to MLA
guidelines (but does
not compromise
integrity of essay);

19. Works Cited page
may contain
inaccuracies (but
does not
compromise the
integrity of essay).
integrity of paper;
inaccurate Works
Cited page
compromises
integrity of essay.
TOTAL POINTS
This short story was published in March 1901 by The Century
Magazine. This is a copy of the original magazine.
Olive Huck was a Texas woman and author of several short
stories about Texas.