Final Essay Project

In the final essay of this course, I like you to demonstrate how comprehensively you’ve read and understood the material in this course. Write a six-page (minimum) essay in which you discuss one of the following:

• Compare and contrast two poems and discuss at least three critical elements of poetics and how those elements shape the content, theme and meaning of the poems.
• Focus and analyze the shape and context of the plays we studied in the course and discuss the elements of drama at work in the plays.

Research sources are required for this essay, and I will expect you to bring in evidence from the required reading and outside sources (three) to support your rhetorical position. Therefore, I will look for quotes and direct references from the texts and scholarly sources and appropriate citation and works-cited page. Remember, writing an argumentative essay is an intellectual process where you take a stand, or position on a subject, then back that position up with evidence—and in literature, the evidence is in the text.

Requirements:

1. Six-page essay (three outside sources required, you must include references, quotes, etc. and proper citation in your analysis) in-text citations and works-cited page.
2. This is a formal essay—so follow MLA format.  Turning in paper not properly formatted will count heavily against you.

I will expect a clear, well-defined thesis outlined in the the essay. Do not begin the essay with the thesis—first, introduce the subject, and give the reader any background information they may need to better understand your argument. Then give us the thesis and the proofs to back up your claim.  Requirements:

1. A well-defined thesis. A thesis statement contains a single idea, clearly focused and specifically stated that grows out of your exploration of a subject. A thesis statement can be thought of as a central idea phrased in the form of an assertion. It is a claim—that is, it indicates what you claim to be true, interesting, or valuable about your subject—followed by further claims which support that view.

How to organize the classic rhetorical argument

• Introduction: Introduce your issue and capture the attention of your audience.  Try using a short narrative or a strong example.
• Background information: Provide your audience with a history of the situation—state how things currently stand.  Define any key terms.  Even if you think the facts speak for themselves, draw the attention of your audience to those points that are especially important and explain why they are meaningful.
• Proposition: Introduce the position you are taking.  Frame it as a thesis statement or claim.
• Proof: Discuss the reasons why you have taken your position.  Provide facts, expert testimony, and any other evidence that supports your claim.
• Refutation: Show why you are not persuaded by the arguments of people who hold a different position.  Concede any point that has merit but show why this concession does not damage your own case.
• Conclusion: Summarize your most important points and appeal to your audience’s feelings.

Finally, follow all of grammar, punctuation, and stylistic rules. The essay must be free of run-on sentences and sentence splices.  Use active voice.