AMS 2341 American Studies for the 21^st Century

Literary Analysis Paper

This is a 5- page (or so) extended literary/historical analysis of one of the 5 books we have read together this semester (The Coquette, Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, The Man Nobody Knows, Now, Voyager, or Woman Warrior).  You are required to do outside research.  This is a synthesis exercise, an opportunity to pull together the tools and skills the class has given you to present a formal, polished argument about how a specific literary text functioned in its historical context. 

What I�m looking for:

(1) a clear thesis/argument about how the book functioned for its original audience

(2) specific, carefully framed and analyzed evidence from the primary text � �close readings�

(3) accurate historical contextualization of the text

(4) appropriate use of outside sources that support your position

The Process:

1.  Pick the book that is most interesting or compelling to you as your topic.

2.   Do some research.  For most people, this will mean looking up the author and/or the novel in the MLA International online bibliography through the UTD library website.  Pick out 3-4 articles on your topic that sound interesting, print them out (or actually go get them, if they are not available full text online), and read them through.  This will give you a sense of what other scholars have said about this book AND give you a set of ideas to respond to, question, challenge, or extend.  It will help you focus your paper and narrow your topic. 

3.  Formulate a thesis, an argument or position that requires defense or support (i.e. a reasonable person could disagree with you on this) about how the book functioned for its audience in history.    

4.  Go through your text and the articles you found useful and pull out the items/ideas/passages relevant to your argument.  This may support your thesis, or may make you realize you want to change the argument you initially wished to make in some way.

5.  Write the paper in which you present your argument/position, support it, and attempt to address the questions or counter-arguments someone else might raise about your position.  Use the ideas/work of other scholars, when they help you make your argument.  Cite appropriately.  You must cite at least 2 outside sources in your paper. 

Use the MLA Citation method (parenthetical references in text; Works Cited list at the end).  Explained here:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

CHECK -- the purpose of most academic papers is two-fold.  They (1) demonstrate you know what has been said about this topic in the past and understand it; (2) show that you have an original intervention or contribution to make.

Paper is due at the start of class on Thurs. 4 Dec. in two forms: (1) hard copy you will hand in to me; and (2) an uploaded electronic copy to TURNITIN.COM (see below). Have a 3-minute presentation of your thesis and your one most interesting/compelling piece of evidence to present to the class.  The presentation is also part of your grade (i.e. if you do not do the presentation, and you do not have a pre-approved excuse, the grade for the paper will drop one letter grade).

Papers should be typed, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and standard font size.  Please number pages and staple papers in the upper, left-hand corner. 

TURNITIN.COM � go to www.turnitin.com.  The course id number is 2343118.  The password is �faces�

If you are ill or have a family emergency and can document it, I will accept late papers without penalty.  If not, the grade drops one full letter grade for each business day it is late.  E-mailed and fax-ed papers are not acceptable. 

I am WAY more interested in these topics than it is socially acceptable to be.  I would be thrilled to talk about papers, look at outlines, talk about theses, etc. at any point.  E-mail and phone work if in-person does not.  ((972) 883-2338 / [email protected] / Office:  Green 2.208)