1. Create and support an argument about a piece of literature.
Assignment: For your second essay in this class, you will create and support an
argumentabout a piece of literature. For this assignment, you will analyze either poetry or
prose.Specifics: 3-4 pages, double spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt font, Times New RomanWhen
writing this essay, you’ll have more tools at your disposal to use, such as imagery,language,
theme, characterization, etc. Rhetorical concepts such as ethos, pathos, logos mayalso help
you formulate an argument about a piece of literature. Here are a few questions toconsider
about analyzing a piece of literature:• What is this story/poem about?• What are some of
the noticeable features? (tone, diction, theme, imagery, etc.)• What is the main
point/argument you want to make about the piece?• What are some examples from the
piece that will support your argument?An analysis of poetry may tackle the imagery found
in the piece. Is there a reoccurring imagethat transcends the text or story, and speaks to a
larger state of the world, of humanity? Forexample, if a poet keeps returning to images of
birds, literally or metaphorically, can that beargued as a statement about escapism?Or, an
analysis may examine connection between the form and content of the poem. Is the waythe
poem is written reflective of the theme? Say, do short, choppy sentences add to the imageof
a speeding train, or a car accident? Does an overuse of punctuation (or lack thereof) reflect
atheme of chaos, or lack of control?An analysis of a short story might identify theme(s)—the
struggles of marriage, paranoia in apost-9/11 society, etc.—through characterization or
point of view. Does a character speak oract negatively toward/about women? If so, is the
author making a larger statement aboutmisogyny? Is this reflective of the place where the
story takes place? Or, an analysis may showhow the author hints at theme through the
narrator’s point of view. Are the thoughts orinteractions of the protagonist an examination
of the process of growing up? How does thisspeak to the reader?A successful Literary
Analysis will:• Give a brief description of the piece(s) studied, information about the author,
followedby a clear thesis in which you state your argument about the story/poem.• Provide
examples from the piece, as well as outside sources (if needed), that supportyour
argument.• Analyze the audience targeted in the story/poem: who might this resonate with
most?• Analyze the context of the story/poem: what cultural phenomena/current event
arereferenced.• Consider a variety of other possible interpretations of the story/poem
(acknowledgethat there’s not only one way to read the piece.) Course objectives
emphasized in thisassignment:• Engage in writing as a recursive process• Develop essays
around a specific purpose• Explore the nature of academic discourse and examine what
counts as evidence inacademic writing