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ENGL 655 Multicultural American Literature | Gregory Eiselein | Fall 2004

Essay 2: Joining the Critical Conversation on Multicultural American Literature

Assignment. Write a 7-10 page paper that makes a contribution to the critical discussion of multicultural American literature. The paper should present an argument about some specific, well-defined issue or problem that links literature and the diversity of American culture. The specific topic for this paper is yours to determine, but you must make your argument with reference to previous critical discussions relevant to that topic.

When setting up or framing your argument, you will need to explain how your ideas and analysis relate to these other, similar examinations.  These examinations—which will constitute the conversation that you're joining—could be any of the following, for example: literary criticism of the text you're analyzing, biographical information about the author, sociological or historical examinations of a particular culture, theories of culture, theories of literature that discuss diversity and American culture, and so on.

You'll want to present your own ideas as a contribution to an ongoing but developing conversation. How do your ideas relate to what has already been said? Where do you differ in your view from other, previous views? Where do you agree with and build upon ideas, concepts, or views that have already been presented? What is new, different, or special about your own contribution? How would you explain why your own view matters? Why is it important, helpful, or significant?

Thus, this paper requires research, outside sources, the summarization of other views, and responses to them. You will need to include a works cited page and carefully document your sources according to MLA style. The main part of the paper, however, will be your own argument about some very specific aspect of literature in multicultural America.

You are welcome to explore topics in literature and culture that extend beyond our syllabus. But please make use of what we're studying—the criticism examined, the literary texts read, or the issues addressed. Perhaps one of the simplest ways to join a conversation is to think about the members of this class as your audience. Take what they already know about multicultural American literature and connect it to your new contribution.

Proposals. I will accept three different kinds of proposals on or before Friday, November 5: 1) a paper conference with me (please see me to schedule a time); 2) a one-page, typed explanation of the connection you're considering and why; or 3) an e-mail version of #2.

What-I’m-Looking-For. When I’m reading these papers, I’ll be asking myself the following questions:

·      Does the paper refer to previous, published examinations of key issues related to the topic?

·      Does it position its own argument in relation to those previous examinations?

·      Does it make an argument about some specific, well-defined issue or problem within multicultural American literature?

·      Does it explain in a clear and persuasive manner its interpretation of the texts under examination as well as the previous criticism?

·      Does it support its interpretation with analysis and appropriate, direct references to the texts?

·      Is it organized clearly enough so that others in the class could follow the argument?

·      Does the paper acknowledge its sources using a bibliography and a clear and consistent MLA documentation style?

·      Does it make references to ideas, issues, or texts with which the class would be familiar? Would the paper be interesting to others in the class? Does it make clear what is significant about its own contribution to the discussion?

Workshop. We will have an in-class writing workshop on Wednesday, November 17. Please bring a typed, complete rough draft of your paper to this workshop.

Revisions. After I return your papers (on November 29, hopefully), please read my comments. If you would then like to revise your paper, please do so.

Revisions are on Wednesday, December 8th. A revision will not automatically receive a better grade. The revision must be substantially improved to merit a grade change. Simply correcting typos or making editing corrections will not warrant a higher grade.

To submit a revision, please write a one-paragraph summary explaining why and how you revised and hand it in with both the revised version and the old version with my comments.

 Due Date. Monday, November 22                                               

Length. 7-10 typed, double-spaced pages


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