The assignment: Write a paper that uses research and analysis to support an argument about the meaning, significance, or form of one or two of the texts on the syllabus from Invisible Man to The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. OR, write a paper that uses research and analysis to compare one text from the modernist period with one text from the postmodernist period.

Format requirements:

MLA parenthetical documentation, double-spaced, 1 inch margins, standard font.
474: 7-8 pages double-spaced, not including Works Cited
Two or three literary-critical secondary sources (articles, chapters, reviews, or books), plus any other secondary sources relevant to your argument. Also cite your primary texts on your Works Cited page

A note on the sources: Obviously, the idea is to find at least two sources that discuss (in a way that’s relevant to your argument) the texts you’re analyzing, or that discuss a literary historical topic related to the texts you’re writing about. Use the sources to develop and support your own interpretation.

The sources should be authoritative—that is, published in academic journals or by scholarly presses. Good examples of these types of sources can be found on the Modern American Poetry website, and the critics that I have cited in lecture are also good models.

The secondary sources that I have cited in lecture are a good place to start, but you should track down the original source if you are going to use it. If I have PDFs of any articles on the texts that I have used, I am happy to share those with you, but you should also use library resources (such as the MLA bibliography, JSTOR, etc.) to look for other articles and books that will help you develop your argument.

One last note—since time is limited in summer session, your research does not have to be exhaustive. I mainly want to see that you can integrate another critic’s argument into your own interpretation, using it for support or contrast. The main focus is still on your interpretation and/or argument.

* * * * * * * *

Possible topics (just suggestions—you can also develop your own):

Considering some of the following questions, compare Ginsberg’s “Howl” with Ashbery’s “Grand Galop.” How does Ginsberg’s vision of America circa 1955 compare to Ashbery’s circa 1972? How do they develop their themes with different techniques? Is one more postmodern than the other?

* * * * * * * *

You can adjust or adapt any of these topics, many of the works we’ve read would be appropriate for them. Of course, you can develop your own topic as long as it fits the basic requirements of the assignment. If you’re going to develop your own topic, I’m happy to consult with you on it.

For an explanation of how papers will be graded, see the grading criteria posted on BeachBoard

The post Howl and Grand Galop appeared first on FreelanceWritersPlanet.com.